I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. I’m also half Filipino, so I’ve grown up with a rich mix of cultures that have really shaped my perspective on life and healthcare. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and I’m a registered respiratory therapist. I have had the privilege of working in ICU settings and general floors, where I connected closely with patients and their families. Through these experiences, I developed a strong passion for healthcare and realized the impact that compassionate care and effective healthcare systems can have on individuals and communities.

Driven by this passion, I decided to move to Washington to pursue my Master of Health Administration. I chose UW’s MHA program because of its diverse curriculum that covers everything from strategic management to health informatics, as well as its supportive student community. Outside of school, I love enjoying the nature of the pacific northwest and exploring Seattle’s food scene. Some personal favorites include Pizzeria La Rocca and Petit Pierre Bakery!

My time at UW has exposed me to many different academic and professional experiences. I enjoy teaching others and have grown my skills through working as a summer tutor for incoming MHA and E-MHA students. This experience has motivated me to consider pursuing my PhD after graduation. Additionally, I am currently preparing for the UAB case competition. I enjoy working with my teammates and am gaining valuable hands-on experiences in problem-solving and team collaboration. I am excited to be part of this program and can’t wait to connect with prospective students, share my journey, and help them find their path in healthcare leadership!

I’m always happy to chat, and particularly enjoy connecting about:

• My experience as an international student at UW
• Summer internships
• Transitioning from a semester system to UW’s quarter system
• MHA coursework expectations and how it connects to career growth
• Living in Seattle and adjusting to the city

Hey! I’m from southern California, grew up coming to Washington (the state, not the school) in the summer, and love it here (though I do hope to end-up in SoCal after graduating). I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration with an emphasis in emergency management. I also took many courses during my undergraduate education in chemistry, biology, and anatomy/physiology. 

My healthcare journey began in college as a volunteer at a local hospital’s emergency department. I saw physicians, nurses, and techs all come together to take great care of patients, and I wanted to be part of a similar team. I became a licensed EMT which led me to my first paid healthcare job. I’m passionate about patient care, public health, and business—what better place to be than healthcare?!

I chose the UW MHA program because of the diversity of the students in the program, and the team-based structure that would provide a foundation of the skills needed to lead and work well in diverse teams throughout my career. 

I see myself ultimately working in strategy and want to remain as close as I can to care delivery. I love learning about operations and have gained a solid foundation in healthcare finance, and project management through the MHA program. My favorite learning experience in this program has come from participating in two national case competitions, and I will be leading another case competition team in February 2025. These competitions have taught me about strategy, teamwork, leadership, presentation, and networking. 

I would love to connect anytime!

Especially each out if you have questions about:

• Case competitions
• Administrative fellowship or Executive residency programs
• Summer Internships
• On the fence about UW vs other schools (because I was too!)
• Quarter system vs semester system
• MHA Coursework / future career opportunities

I was born in Eastern Washington but was raised in California. I lived most of my life in Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles. I moved back to Washington in 2018 and have been here in the greater Seattle area ever since. When I first decided to go back to school, I decided I wanted to do something quick like a certificate or equivalent, so I took an EMT course. After realizing I genuinely enjoyed school, I decided to keep going. I received my Associate’s Degree from Highline College and then transferred to earn my undergraduate degree in Public Health-Global Health, here at UW. It was during my time as an undergrad that I learned about the MHA program and the types of careers one can get in this field. 

Outside of being a student, I am a single mother of two little girls, aged 5 and 8, who consider me their own personal chef, maid, and wallet! Before joining the MHA program, I took a gap year to work at Fred Hutch Cancer Center as a Patient Care Coordinator. This is a role I still hold today as I continue my studies. Following graduation, I see myself working with the employed population in a healthcare setting such as a hospital. More specifically, I am intrigued by operations in a healthcare facility and would like to be in management for said operations. I believe the MHA program has been doing a great job of helping me prepare for my career by teaching us about the ins and outs of being leaders, including the unavoidable situations in which we will have to lead a crucial conversation!

What is your educational background? What school(s) have you attended and what degree(s) have you earned/what did you study?
I completed my undergraduate education at UW Seattle studying Medical Anthropology and Global Health before joining the MHA program.

What’s your hometown/where did you grow up? Where are you generally located now?
I grew up in Tacoma, WA! Once I began my freshman year of college, I have been living in the Seattle area ever since!

What were you doing before joining the MHA program?
I joined the MHA program straight from undergraduate, but I worked in COVID research operations throughout.

What inspired you to join the UW MHA program?
I have a strong background in public health and research logistics which manifested into an interest for healthcare management and leadership.

What are your next career goals? How will the UW MHA help you get there?
After graduation, I plan to continue my career in rural healthcare. The MHA program introduced me to Lake Chelan Health, where I interned this past summer. Working in a critical access setting was extremely rewarding and I am grateful to the program for expanding my horizons.

What is your educational background? What school(s) have you attended and what degree(s) have you earned/what did you study?
I attended California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly SLO) from 2019 to 2023 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. During my time there, I played Division I Beach Volleyball and received several accolades, including:

2021 and 2022 Big West All-Academic Award
2021 and 2022 Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll with Highest Honors
Team Captain (2021-2023 seasons)
Cal Poly Block P Student-Athlete Leader (2021-2023)
2021 and 2022 Big West Conference Champions
NCAA Record Book Holder since 2021

What’s your hometown/where did you grow up? Where are you generally located now?
I grew up in Ventura, California. I now reside in Seattle for most of the year, returning to Santa Barbara, California during the summers.

What were you doing before joining the MHA program?
I was completing my degree at Cal Poly while competing as an NCAA Division I athlete for four years. I also coached beach volleyball during this time.

What inspired you to join the UW MHA program?
I was drawn to the UW MHA program by its strong reputation, extensive healthcare and alumni network, and its commitment to experiential learning opportunities. Being located in Seattle, a hub for healthcare innovation, also played a key role in my decision.

What are your next career goals? How will the UW MHA help you get there?
I aim to become a leader in healthcare technology, specifically in digital healthcare transformation. I hope to lead companies focused on improving patient care experience, patient access, and provider experience. The UW MHA program is equipping me with critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities that will help me succeed in the dynamic healthcare technology sector. The relationships I’ve built with faculty, mentors, and my cohort have been invaluable to my personal and professional growth.

Do you work or have another role outside of being a student?
In addition to being a student, I am an NCAA Division I athlete on the UW Women’s Beach Volleyball team. In 2023, I helped make program history by leading the team to its first NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships appearance. I have also served as a team leader for two years.

Hello! I am super excited to be a student ambassador for the MHA program. As an undergraduate and graduate student from the University of Washington, I have a love for UW. I was born and raised in Redmond, Washington, and have a love for the Pacific Northwest. Though I received my undergraduate degree in business communication I always knew I wanted to pursue a masters in health care administration. I believe health care needs to be more accessible, affordable, and equitable, and I believe the UW MHA program is the first step in getting us there.

The UW MHA program has so much to offer, and what stood out to me when applying, was the resources and mentorship offered by the faculty and other MHA students. The program’s approach of dividing us into teams from day one and keeping us in them for the year sets us up to be prepared for the real world after graduation. This program also offers many connections and resources such as case competitions, guest lectures, internship opportunities and custom projects in our own communities. In addition to the professional aspect, I have also appreciated the friendships I have made within my cohort. I am very happy I chose a program that is smaller and more catered to the students. I am eager to be able to help any incoming and prospective students!

Howdy! I am excited to be serving as a student ambassador for the MHA program. I was born and raised in Texas where I also received my Bachelor of Science degree in public health from Texas A&M University, but luckily, I got to the University of Washington as fast as I could! In the two years between graduation and beginning the program, I had the opportunity to train and launch dozens of COVID-19 testing sites as a training manager at a health startup. However, my interest in health care started at a young age when I realized that the health care my parents were receiving was being negatively impacted by their language barrier with the physicians in my rural community. This inspired me to pursue a career in health leadership because I believe that systemic changes are necessary to bring about equitable care for all people, no matter their identity. With a growing need for access to care, especially in underserved rural areas, I envision a future where we use technology to expand the reach of health care to the millions of people living in health provider shortage areas by expanding the capabilities of telehealth.

Besides the beautiful location in the heart of Seattle, I chose the UW MHA program because of its commitment to diversity. The learning curriculum has consistent themes of equity, diversity, and inclusion and incorporates current events that guide our understanding of the challenges we will face as we step into leadership roles. Additionally, the students within the cohort all come from distinct backgrounds and offer unique perspectives on what being a health care leader truly means, which drives meaningful in-class discussions.

Outside of academia, I love running and exploring the beautiful scenery that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions!

Hello! I am proud to serve as a student ambassador for this esteemed program. I was born and raised in The Gambia, West Africa. I am passionate about community service and leadership. I’m confident in my ability to impact the health care industry positively. I hold a Bachelor of Science in wellness promotion from Georgia Gwinnett College and have honed my leadership, team building, and event planning skills. I have held various leadership positions, including student body president and International Student Association president, gaining valuable experience in civic engagement, multicultural programs, and leadership development. I’m eager to bring my skills and knowledge to the Master of Health Administration program at the University of Washington and make a difference in the public health field. I value collaboration and inclusion and am thrilled to be part of the dynamic and diverse community at the University of Washington.

Hi! I was born and raised in Washington state, and I’ve lived in several states across the nation before returning home to study health administration at the University of Washington. I am a registered dietitian. I practiced in acute care and home health prior to joining the MHA program. As a clinician, I’ve had the privilege of offering support to patients and families during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives. At the same time, I’ve witnessed the gaps in the health care system that let down patients, families, clinicians, and communities. These experiences have inspired me to earn my master’s degree in health administration so I can be well-equipped to affect organizational change in a complex, dynamic industry.

There are two reasons I chose to be a student ambassador:

1. I am excited and optimistic about the future of health care.
2. I am eager to contribute to the journey of future health care leaders.

I welcome you to contact me with any curiosities or questions. I hope to see you in purple and gold!