when Melissa Briggs As I am writing a personal statement regarding my application to medical school, I have a few topics to consider.

She could write about her undergraduate research studying rural food deserts and the unique needs of the people who live there. I also learned a lesson from that work: there are no one-size-fits-all solutions to most health concerns, and a good doctor takes the time to gather information and make sure that the individual sitting in front of you You’ll have to adjust your solution for that.

Or she could have helped with an autopsy during an internship in the coroner’s office and written about how it led her to become a doctor and help save lives, but the importance of empathy and respect. I taught her sex. she already died

Or you could write about Imposter Syndrome because you’re an honors student majoring in biomedical science and your resume is full of experience that will prepare you for this path. Imposter syndrome insists that no matter how many times you succeed, it won’t be enough until she succeeds. Get out of your comfort zone and decide to take on new challenges.

Briggs has a lot of work to do after graduating from NAU this weekend. I am studying for MCAT. Apply to medical school. Go to Laos for a month on the GIVE program. Continued internship at Coconino County Coroner’s Office. Volunteer at a local hospice. He is a TA in NAU’s gross anatomy course. He is a TA (pending) in his program as a Wilderness First Responder at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. It’s all based on her growth at NAU.

“At the end of each year, I was able to look back at where I started and see how much I had changed,” she said. “Each year, I feel a little further away from my 18-year-old self and feel a little more proud of myself. One of my favorite things about my undergraduate years was the opportunity to unleash my ambition and curiosity. My enthusiasm to learn and grow has never been rewarded! I am so excited about everything that lies ahead.”

Undergraduate studies at CUPI

Briggs was interested in medicine, so she initially considered working in NAU’s cardiology lab, but that wasn’t exactly what she wanted to do. she, Public Survey of Community Colleges (CUPI) programs provided opportunities for hands-on, community-oriented research. She joined her Rural Food Systems pod. The pods were working with communities where nutrient sources were not readily available and therefore relied on local food banks.

The Rural Food Systems pod conducted a study on the effectiveness of food boxes supplied to the community by St. Mary’s Food Bank. Briggs and her team traveled to Yuma, Kingman, Yucca, Page, and Chinle to volunteer at food drives, interview volunteers and food bank representatives, and research food box recipients. We also worked to strengthen links between food banks and local farms.

The pod was meant to build relationships with the community and learn about the experiences of people who received food boxes. She learned a lot about the complexities of human health through that experience. Eating well and exercising is often the answer to health problems, especially obesity, diabetes and chronic inflammation. But without a grocery store, “eating healthy” is much more difficult, and sometimes impossible, so food banks are the main source of food.

“Even though I was born and raised in Arizona, I never felt connected to other communities in the state or saw so much beautiful land and culture until I joined this program,” said Briggs. “There is something very meaningful about connecting and serving a community that resonates deeply with me. I didn’t realize it, and it has given me new insight into the barriers people face in getting nutritious food for themselves and their families.”

This job has also given her a desire to continue working in rural areas experiencing significant health care shortages both in Arizona and nationwide. I presented my research at an undergraduate symposium.

Intern at ME’s office

Briggs applied for the internship after taking a course in gross anatomy and was excited to apply what she learned in class. But it wasn’t easy. Assisting with autopsies is a challenging and sometimes demanding task. She witnesses first-hand the deadly effects of trauma, sepsis, disease, putrefaction, etc. It further strengthens her conviction that she wants to be a doctor, and her knowledge that she cannot save all patients. It also helped me prepare.

In fact, what she faces every day at work is that there is nothing left to do for that person’s life. Their results are the same no matter what she does. One of her most sobering reminders of medical limitations is when she sees pacemakers and other medical devices designed to save the life of someone who ultimately fails.

But she can treat all deceased with dignity and be prepared to do all she can for her patients when she is a doctor. Her sense of duty motivates her even in difficult moments.

“This position, more than anything else, emphasized how important it is to me to make a difference in the lives of the people I work with,” said Briggs. “I never knew how fulfilling it would be to see that I could make a positive impact on the patients I was treating,” she said.

Maisie El-Ters, chief forensic investigator and internship coordinator in the ME’s office, said Briggs has a passion for learning that influences how she approaches her work. She has demonstrated a commitment to personal and professional growth.

“Working with Melissa created a new excitement in my work,” she said. “Her relentless curiosity and sheer excitement to learn and grow professionally is contagious.”

Her Time at NAU and Afterwards

Briggs came to NAU from Queen Creek. Flagstaff is close enough to her home to see her family on a regular basis, giving her the chance to shed her high school labels and make a fresh start to grow into who she is today. .

To that end, she worked on as many growth opportunities as possible. To overcome her self-doubt, she signed up for the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. She guided students with confidence, demonstrated empathy and interpersonal skills, and became her SI her leader demanding to be a leader. She completed her Wilderness First Responder course certification last summer and went to study in Ireland.

Jane GilbertBriggs, assistant manager of the SI program, said she worked with over 500 students on a challenging biology course and proved herself to be a kind, caring, caring and professional tutor. .

“Melissa is not only dedicated to her work, she is also warmly committed to the people she serves,” Gilbert said. She can proactively handle some of life’s most difficult challenges. Her future is wide open and Melissa is someone who makes the world a better place. ”

Briggs has worked hard both in and out of the classroom to develop the traits she hopes to develop as a physician: empathy for patients, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and a desire to provide patients with the highest quality of care. .

“With NAU’s help, I feel empowered and determined to keep moving forward through my academic career,” she said. There are many things I can describe as the best part of my time at NAU, but nothing is better than seeing the rewards of my work and dedication reflected in my confidence, abilities and character. I don’t think so.”