Sophia Fernandes

UConn School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Pawtucket, RI, and later moved to Lincoln, RI. I received my bachelor of arts degree from Amherst College in 2022, where I majored in biology and received a Culture, Health, and Science Certificate through the Five College Consortium.

Throughout my undergraduate experience, I worked at the Amherst College counseling center, where I focused on advocating for student mental health resources. I also volunteered as an EMT on campus, and helped coordinate mass causality training; diversity equity, and inclusion training; as well as new student training. Additionally, I participated in Project Healthcare at Bellevue Hospital, a public safety net hospital in Manhattan, where I rotated through the emergency department, operating rooms, and social services, working closely with a diverse and underserved patient population.

Through my participation in the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars Program, I hope to grow as a physician who is more attuned to the needs of underserved communities. I aim to gain a greater understanding of the social determinants that impact health outcomes in marginalized populations, specifically in Connecticut, as I plan to serve this community in the future. I am drawn to UST/AS because of its strong commitment to health equity and justice—values that I hold closely and hope to further develop in my career as a physician.