Lauren graduated from Texas A&M University last December where she majored in Genetics and minored in Neuroscience. She is currently applying to Physician Assistant schools in hopes of fulfilling her dream of helping many people by becoming a PA.
In addition to volunteering for Hope Xchange, Lauren volunteers at a local hospice in her hometown acting as a companion for the terminally ill. She also is taking medical and psychology classes and preparing for a new job as a phlebotomy technician.
Lauren volunteers because...
Through my time at Texas A&M, I have met very wonderful people of diverse backgrounds. Through the nerd organization I was a part of, I was the leader of a small group which acted as a safe space for the LGBT community and LGBT allies. This club helped me expand my knowledge of what people in this community go through in their daily lives and the things I can do to support and appreciate them.
I also made friends with people who have mental illnesses and have seen the inner suffering they endure. I want to be a PA that sees these patients and can offer understanding so I can help them achieve a better quality of life.
With volunteering for Hope Xchange, I very much hope to gain more of this understanding in order to advocate for people of the LGBT community and those with mental illnesses.