Ever since she was young, Avery Nelson, originally from Santa Maria, California, had known she wanted to work in a medical field. The minute she stepped foot onto Boise State’s campus and into a School of Public and Population Health classroom, Nelson knew she found the right fit.
Nelson graduates with a bachelor of science in health studies, an emphasis in medical and healthcare sciences and a minor in psychology this winter. Read on to learn more about Nelson’s undergraduate experience.
Q: What originally brought you to Boise State and the School of Public and Population Health?
A: The second I stepped onto the campus, I knew this was the place for me. It felt like a home away from home. I was amazed by the beauty of the campus and the city that Boise is. People were kind and smiled at me as they passed by and I have never once regretted my decision to attend.
I decided to enroll in the School of Public and Population Health because it was the best course of action for my goals. Since I was young, I had always known that medical was the route for me. SPPH provided me with the education and prerequisites that I needed to apply and be prepared for Physician Assistant school.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about your studies?
A: I enjoyed the collaborative aspect of my studies. The school is big enough where there are many different opinions and experiences but also small enough that I was able to connect with my peers and professors. I also enjoyed the expertise of my professors, as many of my health classes were taught by faculty who have had experience in the health system and had lots of stories to share. They not only taught us the information, but they were able to relate it to real life situations that we might see in our future careers.
Q: What experience has made an impact on your time at Boise State?
A: My freshman year I was on the Boise State Women’s Club Soccer team and I connected with some very powerful and smart women who helped me grow as a person and who pushed me to excel in the sport as well as my studies.
I have also been a part of the Undergraduate Research for Brain Health with VR. This program is an interdisciplinary research group where we are creating a device that distributes different smells using a virtual reality headset and game in hopes to help test people and catch Alzheimer’s earlier so adults can get on medication sooner and increase the longevity of their brain health. This research has taught me how to work with other people in very different fields and has also given me hope for our future health system and the possibilities of new medicine.
Q: How has your time in the Health Studies program broadened your outlook on health?
A: The program has opened my eyes to just how big and multifactorial the healthcare system is. I had always had my mind set on being a healthcare worker but never realized what goes into the system I would be working for. In my Healthcare Administration and Epidemiology classes, I was taught how collaborative public and population health are, we need both to give the best quality of care to our communities, county, and even globe. I have a new appreciation for every part of the system and am grateful for the background knowledge that I will bring into my future career.
Q: What are you most looking forward to post-graduation?
A: I am excited to continue with my education. This next year I will be getting my EMT certification and applying to Physician Assistant schools. I look forward to having my degree and to step into and explore the world as a new graduate and see what opportunities I find or that come my way.