Name: Natalie Weston
Major: Civil Engineering/Engineering Honors Program
HCMP Role: Intern
Classification: Senior
Other Associations: Texas THON, Texas Orange Jackets
Describe a shadowing experience that has impacted you the most.
Meeting with Dr. Williams of the Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance branch at DSHS has by far been the most impactful shadowing experience in my time in HCMP to date. Her explaining the incredible things that are able to be done with the different data that is provided by health care providers throughout Texas was evidence enough that when I’m a physician, I really shouldn’t be complaining about the time I spend on paperwork and charts. Because those statistics are able to be aggregated, trends in health outcomes of different communities come forward. This allows for more appropriate treatments to be developed and for previously unseen problems to be addressed
How has HCMP benefited your professional or individual goals?
As a Civil Engineering student, it has been a leap of faith thus far to continue on the pre-med pathway when most of my formal education has had nothing to do with it. Being a member of HCMP has confirmed that I am making the right decisions, that my goals are attainable, and that the experiences I’m having will help me provide better care to my patients in the future.
What has been your favorite aspect of HCMP?
As a non-traditional pre-med, I’ve loved the professional development we’ve done in meetings each week. I had absolutely no idea about the med school application process, and feel very lucky to now have this network of peers that can help me get through it!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to read, exercise, and watch basketball!