My name is Frances Alicea, and I am currently pursuing a major in Behavioral Neuroscience on the Pre-Medical track at Florida State University. I’m originally from Orlando, and I’ve always had a deep interest in mental health, particularly in how it affects young people. My long-term goal is to become a child-adolescent psychiatrist and use my education and experiences to make a meaningful impact in underserved communities.
This summer, I will be volunteering at a VA (Veterans Affairs) clinic. This opportunity aligns closely with my passion for community-based healthcare, especially mental health support for populations that often face barriers to access. Veterans, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, may struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other conditions that are sometimes overlooked or untreated. By volunteering in this environment, I hope to gain firsthand insight into the systemic challenges veterans experience and contribute meaningfully to their care, even in a small way.
My interest in community-based healthcare stems from wanting to understand how social determinants like race, income, and access to education influence mental health outcomes. The VA clinic is a place where many of these factors intersect, and I believe this experience will strengthen my ability to advocate for equitable, accessible mental healthcare in the future.
I expect this experience to be eye-opening and impactful. I’m hoping to build strong communication skills, observe patient-provider interactions, and deepen my understanding of the psychological and emotional needs of veterans. I also want to learn more about how interdisciplinary teams work together to provide comprehensive care. This experience will hopefully help me connect classroom learning to real-world applications, preparing me to be a more compassionate and informed future physician. I’m especially excited to engage with patients from different backgrounds and listen to their stories, as I believe empathy and cultural awareness are essential in any healthcare profession. While I’m excited, I am also slightly nervous. I’m unsure about the types of situations I may encounter, especially emotionally intense ones. I want to be helpful and supportive without overstepping my boundaries as a volunteer. I also understand that I may witness or hear stories that are deeply personal or traumatic. However, I’m approaching this with an open heart and a willingness to learn. I believe these challenges will help me grow both personally and professionally.
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