Ashlyn Hodges

Title of Program: Health Equity in Underserved Populations

E-mail Address: ahodge17@vols.utk.edu

Hometown: Farragut, Tennessee    

Year: Senior                    

Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021

Description of Program: My program’s emphasis is Health Equity, and I chose this focus because I wanted an undergraduate education that enabled me to understand the unique needs of disadvantaged populations and causes behind the health disparities they face so I can one day have a career spent serving them. I applied to the CSP because I knew that if I hoped to effectively care for, relate to, and advocate on behalf of future patients in underserved communities, I would need a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of the various social, cultural, and economic factors influencing their health-related beliefs, practices, and outcomes. My hope is that by creating my own major and educational experiences centered on health equity and the causes of health disparities, I will be prepared to one day apply the content learned in medical school in a manner that successfully meets the needs of disadvantaged populations. 

Departmental Emphases: Public Health, Sociology, Global Studies, Political Science 

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Samantha Ehrlich

Plans after graduation (career, graduate/professional school, etc.): Plan to attend a fellow’s program and then attend medical school

Other Academic Interests: Minors in Public Health and Leadership Studies- Honors

Study Abroad and Internships: Internship at Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet, Kenya, Internship with Dream Centers in Colorado Springs, a non-profit for single mothers experiencing homelessness 

Research Experiences or Internships: Undergraduate Research Assistant with the Maternal and Child Health Research Group in the Department of Public Health

Part-time employment; Hobbies; Campus Clubs/Activities: Honors Leadership Program, President of the Cross, Christian Ministry for Greek Life, Chi Omega, University of Tennessee Climbing Club, Middle and High School Cheerleading Coach, Remote Area Medical Volunteer