Alyssa Lam

School of Medicine

I was born in Hartford, Connecticut and raised in Shelton, Connecticut. I graduated from Northeastern University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in health science and minor in leadership & human capital.

As a research associate at St. Vincent’s Hospital, I surveyed patients in the emergency department about whether they were up to date on age- and gender-specific cancer screenings and primary care visits. It was during this internship I developed a desire to learn about and focus on public health after interacting with patients who talked with me about barriers to receiving preventive care. I have engaged in community service with the Boston Debate League, Franciscan Children’s Hospital, and Easterseals, where I worked with urban youth and people with disabilities.

I hope to use my perspective as a second-generation Vietnamese American woman with a disability to empower patients to tread a path of wellness and holistic health, one which incorporates their identities, their level of ability, and their socioeconomic status. 

As a participant in the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars (UST/AS) Program, I will gain the experience needed to be a physician who is aware of how extra-medical factors contribute to patients’ well-being and outcomes. On an individual level, I will be able to deploy exemplary communication and clinical skills in providing patient-centered care. On a systemic level, I will be a part of health education programs and initiatives addressing public health issues, which I look forward to leading as a physician.