As a first-generation college student and a McNair scholar, I am personally driven to remove systemic barriers to education opportunities and support diverse learners. I saw an opportunity to expand access to anatomy education outside of my small upper-division class; to bring in a wider range of students to experience the process of anatomy education. My goal is to leave those students with a sense of belonging and empowerment to move forward toward their career goals in health care. Historically marginalized groups have often been excluded from places and experiences in science. Here I want to not only make sure students can feel that they belong, but that they have power in these spaces, and they can be leaders in these spaces.

As a first-generation college student, I wanted to create Anatomy for Change so that other students from underrepresented and diverse communities could find a place for themselves in medicine. By creating case studies around the anatomy lab we created a novel environment for them to feel confident in their abilities. With the support of the University of Washington Biology Department and volunteers from the UWSOM we were able to create a teaching team that furthered our goal of showing the place of diverse perspectives within medicine. In creating Anatomy for Change I hope that we can provide other students the reassurance that they’re on a path they can be successful in.

I was a peer facilitator for the Survey of Human Anatomy course at UW when I first heard about Anatomy for Change. I love learning and teaching anatomy. Interacting with the donors and learning from them is a huge privilege, one that I am extremely grateful for. I believe that every pre-health student should have the opportunity to interact with the donors; a mission that Anatomy for Change wonderfully strives to achieve. I am excited to be part of this program and to contribute to the mission. My goal is to empower students from underrepresented backgrounds to continue pursuing their goals, and to provide mentorship and support. I hope to continue fostering a supportive network where students feel curious and comfortable with learning human anatomy. Additionally, I am excited for students to build meaningful relationships with the medical students and with each other. 

As a first-generation college student, I was unfamiliar with the medical field and often questioned whether there was a place for someone like me within it. Joining Anatomy for Change helped me develop a stronger sense of belonging in the healthcare environment and encouraged me to step confidently into spaces that once felt unfamiliar. Through hands-on experiences in the cadaver lab and working through clinical cases, I began to see medicine not only as a future career, but as a field in which I could genuinely envision myself. This experience has strengthened my passion for medicine and inspired me to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for other students pursuing careers in healthcare.

As a student, Anatomy for Change introduced me to the importance of creating an inclusive and diverse space for anatomical learning. I especially valued the support and mentorship I received from the UW Department of Biology faculty, as well as the sense of community I found among students from a variety of backgrounds. Through my experience as a peer facilitator for the undergraduate anatomy course, I developed a genuine appreciation for hands-on, collaborative learning and saw how much students can learn from one another in an encouraging environment. These experiences deepened my passion for anatomy and for building spaces where students feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their unique perspectives, and learning together. Now, as part of the AFC leadership team, I hope to help foster that same welcoming environment and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with anatomy in an interactive and collaborative way.