In a world where healthcare is evolving at an unprecedented pace, Health Sciences at the University of Hartford stands out for preparing students to pursue a wide array of healthcare roles.
A comprehensive approach to academics, coupled with personalized mentorship and experiential learning, empowers students to embark on careers that align with their unique goals and passions.
The University's commitment to student success—no matter their professional aspirations—is evident through the inspiring stories of two exceptional graduates from the Health Sciences program at the College of Nursing, Education, and Health Professions.
Montrashay Worley: Passion Ignited Through Classes
Montrashay Worley ’19 exemplifies the transformational journey experienced by so many ENHP students. Balancing a demanding schedule as a student-athlete on the UHart volleyball team, Worley discovered her passion for health care during a pivotal experience with Claudia Oakes, associate professor of health sciences. A class visit to a memory care unit, where Worley witnessed the power of music therapy, ignited her commitment to geriatric care and pushed her to obtain her Health Sciences degree with a minor in gerontology.
“One gentleman named Michael, who was mute due to his progressing dementia, transformed—his eyes wide open, singing and dancing to AC/DC. I saw a true glimpse of his soul that had been hidden by a crippling disease. I found myself declaring a health science major that same semester with the goal of becoming a physician assistant,” she says.
After graduation, Worley started working at an assisted living community, gaining valuable clinical experience before pursuing further education. She reflects on her time at ENHP saying, “Time and time again, my experiences as an ENHP student and student-athlete at UHart provided me with a concrete foundation to grow upon.” Her great foundation built at ENHP, and dedication to advocating for vulnerable populations, led her to become a physician assistant student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where she is actively engaged in clinical rotations and community outreach, and was awarded the Susan Mortensen Turley Award for Excellence in Community Service.
“Still to this day, I look back upon my class notes from undergrad, as many professors provided information in a way that I could re-use in this more advanced setting,” she says.
Samantha Kraus: Health Sciences Promotes Self-discovery
Samantha Kraus ’22 originally joined ENHP as a part of the physical therapy program, but after some time realized it was not the health career path for her. “I was still very eager to learn about the body, science, and how to be a catalyst for change in the health field. I chose to major in Health Sciences because it provided me with classes that furthered my interest in the health field, and helped guide me for a successful future career,” she says.
Kraus's journey of self-discovery led her to a research methods course exploring the intersection of health and communication, igniting her love for research. Through her internship experiences, including working at a nonprofit milk bank and volunteering with AARP, she found her calling in promoting healthy habits and advocating for women's health care and human rights.
Kraus’s Health Sciences degree acted as a launchpad, and her commitment to her passion led her to enroll in the University of New England's master of applied nutrition and dietetics program. She continues to make a difference by focusing on maternal healthcare and public health initiatives all while learning how to balance and manage her own chronic illnesses, a heart condition, and life as a full-time grad student.
Empowering Success through Mentorship and Holistic Learning
The success of students from ENHP stands as a testament to the power of holistic education and personalized mentorship. Through engaging classes, experiential learning opportunities, and supportive faculty, students are equipped with a solid foundation for their future careers.
Montrashay Worley ’19, Health Sciences, College of Education, Nursing and Health ProfessionsTime and time again, my experiences as an ENHP student and student-athlete at UHart provided me with a concrete foundation to grow upon.