Rubby Koomson

UConn School of Nursing, Class of 2016

I was born in Ghana, West Africa and raised in East Hartford CT; where I currently live with my family. I am working to earn my Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing.

In 2012, I traveled to Ghana to work as a volunteer for Uconn Global Brigades. In Ghana, I assisted doctors with triage and with dispensing medication to members of the community. I also worked with an OBGYN nurse to educate the community about women’s health, as well as other public health and basic safety measures. In my brief time in Ghana, I was also able to shadow doctors to get a clearer picture of their interactions with patients and their on-site work procedures. Additionally, I have worked as a volunteer with UConn’s Office of Community Outreach, and I continue to work with the American Cancer Society as a fundraiser and with UConn’s Global Medical Brigades.

As a woman born in the tropics of West Africa and raised in East Hartford, I have witnessed and experienced health disparities within different communities. I have witnessed how communities can struggle with preventable and curable diseases because they lack proper resources and health education. Having the opportunity to participate in this program will be my way of helping such communities by providing the urgent care that they need even before I become a licensed healthcare professional. I hope that my experiences in UST will help sharpen my professional skills and heighten my desire to pursue a career in a community-based healthcare setting.