Pritisha Amatya

UConn School of Dental Medicine

I was born in Kathmanudu, the capital of Nepal, and moved to Connecticut when I was nine years old. I received a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Science from the University of Connecticut in 2020.

During my undergraduate years I worked at SNAP4CT, a program focused on educating underserved communities in Hartford County about nutrition and healthy living. As a student from the Hartford Public Schools, it was rewarding to return and give back to my old community. My team and I presented lessons on My-Plate and good nutritional habits to preschoolers, seniors, and new moms. I also volunteered at the Kids of UConn Bridging Education program where I mentored students from Windham and Killingly. I connected with the mentees through cultural awareness activities and arts and crafts. Both of these opportunities helped me realize how important it is that I involve myself in community organizations in order to better understand and empathize with my surrounding communities.

As a future dentist, I would like not only to be skilled in my work but also to have knowledge of my community so I can be a well-rounded, socially aware healthcare provider. The Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars (UST/AS) program will allow me to immerse myself in a community where I can learn about the healthcare inequities underserved communities face and make an impact through outreach and advocacy.