Personal Statement

Alana M. Hall
September 28th, 2018

My purpose in life is to serve others and share my experiences to better the lives of my
community. As I continue to grow throughout my undergraduate experience, I continue to
mature and become wiser day after day. From my experiences as an undergraduate studying
Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida, I have found that I have a knack for
addressing situations head on through analysis and action. From this, I have cultivated a love of
medical research. After working in the University of Central Florida’s research lab,
Biomechanics, Rehabilitation, and Interdisciplinary Neuroscience (BRaIN Lab), under Dr. Helen
Huang, I was able to see that I excel at working in a team to develop several solutions when
presented with a problem such as how can we make rehabilitation activities for older adults more
effective in preventing future injuries. The University of South Florida’s Masters in Women’s
Health Concentration is ideal for preparation to apply to medical school given my current
aptitudes. With more experience and a chance to prove my academic rigor, I believe I will make
a great researcher and physician.

Medical research is something I have always been passionate about. From the time I was
old enough to spell the word “mammogram”, I knew I wanted to be a part of the solution to
curing breast cancer. I learned how important research is in testing bold ideas and presenting
innovative information that will lead to actual influences on the world. I have been a part of
several medical health organizations at UCF that have had a large impact on my passion to
pursue a career in medicine. As vice-president of the Health Awareness and Prevention Society
(HAPS), my exposure to issues around the country have grown immensely. I have been the
primary liaison to medical professionals and academicians in the area of global health and while
medical advances have grown exponentially over the last several decades, we still have so much
more to learn. Through extensive discussions with these health experts, such as Dr. Michael J.
Rovito, a leading health behaviorist on testicular cancer, I have seen the passion they have
pursued in the effort of procuring a healthier, happier lifestyle for our community. Furthermore, I
gained applicable skills while interning with the University of Florida’s Pediatric Department of
Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology over the summer of 2018 conducting research on
juvenile arthritis and rheumatic conditions under Dr. Melissa Elder. I was able to interact with
families with chronically ill children to provide data to a national registry, “CARRA”, in order to
identify long term diagnosis and treatment. This experience proved to me that it is absolutely
possible to parallel medical treatment while achieving valuable research. My hope with the USF
Master’s in Women’s Health Concentration is that I can connect my existing knowledge of
research and health care to the advanced courses on the human body and gender related topics.

Ideally, I will become a leading researcher on women’s fertility and the effect of our
changing society on female health. Women have long been ignored in the development of
medical science. I want to change the way we view issues within the other fifty percent of the
populace. For centuries, male scientists have analyzed male anatomy and physiology, so I
believe it’s time we look at the mothers and sisters who are constantly impacting our lives. By
developing a stronger understanding in the core courses offered in this program such as Directed
Research of Women’s Health, Epidemiology of Women’s Health, and Pathobiology of Human
Cancer, I can demonstrate my dedication to my future career. The aspect of the Master’s in
Women’s Health Concentration that really appeals to me is the online and on-campus mix of the
courses. I will be able to maintain my highly active schedule in research while producing above
average results in my integrative classes.

The Master’s in Women’s Health Concentration is an obvious choice for me. I am not
only passionate about women’s health care worldwide, I am determined to change the way
women are regarded across the globe. I have been on several in-state mission trips to poor and
underserved areas in the past four years and have been a regular volunteer at the Genesis Food
Pantry (supported by Second Harvest Food Bank) in Melbourne, Florida which provides basic
food and health necessities to the surrounding area. In 2016, I organized a community health
initiative at the site of the food pantry, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, that brought
professional and free health care to the surrounding neighborhoods. For some people, this was
the first time in decades they had any medical testing. I witnessed what a drastic impact
exercising your abilities and experiences can have on people. It is easy to take for granted the
access to basic resources like antibiotics we have. I will be graduating with a minor in Education
in a few months and hope that with my pursuit of further medical education, I will be able to use
the methods and skills I have learned during my time in these courses to enlighten others. I have
already volunteered over fifty hours in the public school system teaching and tutoring students in
math and science. Additionally, I have accumulated several hundred hours shadowing physicians
as well as volunteering in hospitals across north and central Florida. In my post-graduate
endeavors, I will continue to conduct research and strive to develop my strengths so that I may
be an asset to women’s health care in the years to come. I am currently a fourth-year mentor in
the Girls Exceling in Math and Science (GEMS) program at UCF where I provide guidance and
support to freshman women entering STEM majors. The purpose of this program is to increase
retention of women in STEM related fields. Using my experience with professionals in health
care, my appetite for expanding female-based medicine, and my understanding of a wide range
of disciplines in biomedical sciences, I know I am a wonderful candidate for USF’s Masters in
Women’s Health Concentration.