Margaret Fitzpatrick

UConn School of Nursing

I was born in Dianbai, China. I was adopted at fourteen months and raised in Wethersfield, Connecticut. I’m a Sophomore in the Honors Program at UConn working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

At Windham Hospital, I volunteered in the emergency department and now volunteer in the ambulatory care unit. I am currently employed as a Student Medical Support Trainee at Student Health Services where I promote quality patient-centered care by taking vital signs, performing point-of-care tests, and restocking medical supplies. This summer I will be working full time at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center as a Student Nurse Intern.

Volunteering at Windham Hospital has allowed me to observe many disparities in healthcare access and provision. I witnessed numerous doctor-patient interactions demonstrating the prevalence of language barriers for non-English speaking patients and the impact of these barriers on their healthcare. Additionally, while volunteering at Migrant Workers’ Clinics this past semester, I observed widespread lack of access to healthcare for migrant workers.

These experiences heightened my desire to work as a healthcare provider with vulnerable populations promoting equality and ensuring equity of care. The Urban Service Track will enable me to engage in interprofessional communication aimed at improving the health of underserved populations. Through clinical experiences and supplemental mentorship, I’ll be able to gain further insights into how I can make long-lasting, positive changes in the health of vulnerable populations. Through the UST, I hope to become an advocate for those who are kept from using their own voices.