Learning More About Myself and Others

By Frances Alicea

N – New Information
Volunteering at the VA clinic this summer has taught me much more than I expected about veterans’ struggles. Before this experience, I mostly thought of healthcare disparities in terms of access to appointments or lower quality healthcare, but being in the clinic day after day has opened my eyes to deeper issues like stigma around mental health, language and cultural barriers, and the long-term impact of trauma. I’ve seen how veterans from different racial, ethnic, and gender identities often carry an even heavier burden when trying to get care.

S – Self-Reflection and Evaluation
Since starting the Global Scholars program and my time at the VA, I’ve noticed growth in myself. I’ve become more confident in unfamiliar environments, and I’m learning how to listen more carefully to others’ experiences, especially when those experiences are very different from my own. I’m also realizing just how important trauma-informed care is in healthcare. This work has increased my motivation to become a child-adolescent psychiatrist, especially for families and communities facing generational trauma. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone and surrounding myself in a new environment. This summer, it has been difficult to get into volunteering between classes and labs, but I have been enjoying the experience.

E – Environmental Influences
The clinic environment has been completely different from my usual academic setting, and it’s pushed me to adapt quickly. I’m surrounded by veterans, healthcare workers, and administrative staff, and everyone plays such an important role in the system. I’ve noticed that trust is a huge factor; many veterans have a complicated relationship with the healthcare system and sometimes with institutions in general. These day-to-day interactions have challenged me to think more critically about what equity really looks like in practice. I’ve also started forming meaningful connections with people at the clinic, including mentors who’ve shared their own stories and given me guidance on my Capstone project. Their support is helping shape both my research, long-term goals, and perspective.

W – Where Do I Go From Here?
So far, this experience has helped me narrow my Capstone topic: I want to focus on healthcare disparities among veterans, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. I’m considering a mixed approach that combines research with personal interviews or case examples from my time at the clinic. One of my goals this summer is to shadow more of the mental health staff so I can learn about their approach to trauma and long-term care. I’ve also started looking into ways I can stay involved with the VA even after summer ends, either through continued volunteering or by connecting with other projects focused on health equity. Overall, my Capstone is starting to feel like something that could truly make a difference, and this hands-on experience is showing me how I can be part of that change.