Madison Sastram

UConn School of Nursing

My name is Madison Sastram and I am a student at UCONN with an intended graduation year of 2025.

I was born in Bridgeport but grew up in Oxford, Connecticut. I have a high school degree and am currently in the process of getting my Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing.

One of my favorite volunteering experiences was being involved in Chapel on the Green in New Haven, Connecticut through my church. We distributed food that we had prepared for the homeless. Another great volunteering opportunity I had was volunteering at the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Windham, Connecticut. I was able to be with student nurses in Urban Service Track in addition to other students from other disciplines such as pharmacy and medical students. I learned how to talk to patients and take their vitals in order to help them be as healthy as they can.

Both of these volunteering opportunities have helped me learn about the challenges of the underserved and have increased a passion in my heart to help. I learned that many people want to get assistance, they may just have a tougher time due to challenges such as limited job opportunities, traumatic life experiences, addictions, limited resources and support systems, etc.  No matter the situation, everyone deserves access to healthcare. That is why being a part of UST is so amazing, students get to help the underserved achieve the help they need when it is hard for them to find it themselves.