Meghan O'Connor

UConn School of Social Work

I was born and raised in southern New Hampshire, and obtained a Bachelor of Science in biology from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island in 2018.

The majority of my undergraduate volunteer experience came with My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), an organization that provides furniture and food to the local community. My experiences with MBK shaped my understanding of human dignity, and gave me my passion for serving urban communities. I have spent the last two years working with individuals with substance use and mental health disorders; I hope to spend my career advocating for such individuals as a mental health provider.

I believe social workers and mental health providers are integral members of any patient care team: mental health, substance use, and biopsychosocial factors are all crucial factors in determining which approach is most appropriate in patient care. The interdisciplinary focus of the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars (UST/AS) program will give me experience collaborating with and thinking critically about patient care with professionals from health care disciplines other than my own. This interprofessional pedagogical approach will help me understand and deliver holistic patient care, which will allow me to be the best provider and advocate for the underserved communities I will serve throughout my career