UNCW Graduate Pursues Public and Global Health Career
This May, Nicky Mendoza graduated from UNC Wilmington with a degree in public health after building her college career centered on community service and global health experiences. Originally a biology major on the pre-medical track, she quickly realized traditional coursework in microbiology and chemistry did not fully align with what she wanted out of a healthcare career.
“I just felt narrow minded in what I wanted to learn. The microbiology aspects were fascinating, but I just didn’t love it,” Mendoza says. She briefly transitioned into clinical research and later chemistry while working in an organic chemistry lab before ultimately discovering public health.
“Public health allowed me to study biology, immunology, and more in-depth sciences while still learning a broader understanding of social determinants and how the healthcare system works while incorporating human connection,” Mendoza says.
Mendoza’s academic journey took a big step when she participated in a semester-long internship in Peru through Hands On Peru (HOP), a global health nonprofit organization headquartered in North Carolina that operates a public health center in Trujillo, Peru. It offers year-round volunteer and internship programs for students, focusing on preventative health, dental care, and community outreach. After more than a year of preparation, Mendoza spent four and a half months abroad. The experience gave her a firsthand look at healthcare systems operating with limited resources and reshaped her perspective on medicine and public health.
Mendoza’s semester abroad was made possible in part through the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which provides merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students with high financial need to pursue study and internship opportunities abroad.
She also served as a Health Equity Bonner Fellow, where she developed leadership and communication skills through community engagement and peer education. “The Bonner Fellowship set me up beautifully for my internship and for life,” Mendoza says. The program challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and develop confidence speaking in front of groups.
Her work with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, individuals with special needs, and healthcare organizations further strengthened her commitment to serving others. “At the end of the day, what keeps me motivated is just the little pieces that I can just do to alleviate what someone is going through and provide any relief, comfort and kindness in any way I can,” she says. “It just keeps me going.”
Mendoza will begin working with Charlotte Mecklenburg County in chronic disease prevention and health policy before pursuing physician assistant school. She also plans to work as a medical assistant in dermatology. Long term, she hopes to continue working in global health education and eventually return to Peru to resume her work with HOP in a clinical capacity.
“I just felt narrow minded in what I wanted to learn. The microbiology aspects were fascinating, but I just didn’t love it,” Mendoza says. She briefly transitioned into clinical research and later chemistry while working in an organic chemistry lab before ultimately discovering public health.
“Public health allowed me to study biology, immunology, and more in-depth sciences while still learning a broader understanding of social determinants and how the healthcare system works while incorporating human connection,” Mendoza says.
Mendoza’s academic journey took a big step when she participated in a semester-long internship in Peru through Hands On Peru (HOP), a global health nonprofit organization headquartered in North Carolina that operates a public health center in Trujillo, Peru. It offers year-round volunteer and internship programs for students, focusing on preventative health, dental care, and community outreach. After more than a year of preparation, Mendoza spent four and a half months abroad. The experience gave her a firsthand look at healthcare systems operating with limited resources and reshaped her perspective on medicine and public health.
Mendoza’s semester abroad was made possible in part through the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which provides merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students with high financial need to pursue study and internship opportunities abroad.
She also served as a Health Equity Bonner Fellow, where she developed leadership and communication skills through community engagement and peer education. “The Bonner Fellowship set me up beautifully for my internship and for life,” Mendoza says. The program challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and develop confidence speaking in front of groups.
Her work with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, individuals with special needs, and healthcare organizations further strengthened her commitment to serving others. “At the end of the day, what keeps me motivated is just the little pieces that I can just do to alleviate what someone is going through and provide any relief, comfort and kindness in any way I can,” she says. “It just keeps me going.”
Mendoza will begin working with Charlotte Mecklenburg County in chronic disease prevention and health policy before pursuing physician assistant school. She also plans to work as a medical assistant in dermatology. Long term, she hopes to continue working in global health education and eventually return to Peru to resume her work with HOP in a clinical capacity.
This article has the following tags: College of Health & Human Services Students & Alumni School of Health & Applied Human Sciences