Leah Gregorio

UConn School of Medicine Class of 2016

I was born and raised in Wethersfield, Conn. I graduated from the University of Rochester in 2012, majoring in political science and minoring in biology.  In college, I participated in several community service and advocacy projects addressing the unique needs of urban youth. During three spring break service trips to Baltimore, Maryland, I witnessed first-hand the challenges and injustices that inner-city children face in their struggles toward happy and healthy childhoods. As a volunteer for the Hartford Childhood Wellness Alliance and the Children’s Center for Community Research at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, I investigated the effects of environmental factors and community resources on childhood obesity and wellness. Most recently, I collaborated with a pediatrician at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, New York on a new program called Health Power! Using the principles of community-based participatory research, we helped inner-city high school students identify and address the root causes of health problems in their community. My interest being a physician in-training stems from broader concerns about social justice and human rights. I strongly believe that good health through effective healthcare is fundamental and too often neglected or undermined by our society. I further believe in our collective responsibility to ensure equitable access for all people to our health care system. Physicians should be trained to care for both the individuals and communities where they live and work. I look forward to the challenges of providing direct patient care, advocating for patient’s needs, and promoting effective health care policies. Learning to work collaboratively with other health care providers will be an essential part of my education.