Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Alumni Profiles

Natalia graduated from the BS in Health Sciences program in 2015. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Rush University in 2017. Currently, she is a registered nurse who works with women who suffer from mental illness and substance use disorder. She hopes to continue her education with a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus on mental health. Click here to learn more about Natalia’s journey.

Vic graduated from the BS in Health Sciences program in 2015. She went on to pursue her MS in Physician Assistant Studies at Rush and graduated in 2017. She grew up in a working class community in Stockton, California, and moved to Chicago in 1994. Volunteer and community organizing/activism experiences have been extremely important to her and have taught her the value of collaboration and compromise. Prior to starting at Rush at the age of 42, she had worked many different jobs but had never had a career or vocation. Vic is looking forward to being a primary care PA, travelling, studying Spanish and becoming more proficient with treating behavioral health conditions. Click here to learn more about Vic’s journey.

Manny was born and raised in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. He earned an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from Malcolm X College and was a respiratory therapist at Rush University Medical Center, working in adult critical care, neonatal and pediatric critical care for seven years prior to starting the BS in Health Sciences program. Manny graduated from the program in 2016 and graduated from the physician assistant studies program at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon in 2019. He recently began his dream job in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. In addition to that, he does lectures for a PA program as an instructor of anesthesia and critical care medicine.

Shelly graduated from the BS in Health Sciences program in 2017. She has a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She works in a hospital setting with the geriatric population. Shelly is a well-rounded occupational therapist and looks forward to earning a certification in lymphedema and/or mental health.

Richard graduated from the BS in Health Sciences program in 2016. He then completed the Pathologists’ Assistant program at Rosalind Franklin University, followed by becoming a board-certified pathologist’s assistant through the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Richard looks forward to continuing to improve patient outcomes and to better serve his community.

Olivia graduated from the BS in Health Sciences program in 2018. She is currently enrolled in the Health Systems Management program at the Rush University and will graduate in 2020. She hopes to obtain an administrative fellowship with a health system, particularly operations, where she can contribute to improving care and health equity by becoming a Health Systems Administrator.

In 2017, Maziel earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Rush University and is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing, Certified Nurse Leader program at Rush. During her BS program, she worked with the Epilepsy Foundation research team and presented her development of an educational platform at the annual American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting in 2015. Maziel hopes to care for and educate patients and families from disadvantaged communities. She is also interested in traveling globally to provide care.

Miguel graduated from the BSHS program in 2018. He then started medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH) where he is currently a second year medical student (M2) working towards his Medical Doctor (MD) degree. He is expected to graduate in 2023.