East Carolina University
12/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/16/2024 14:31
Student: Dayana Allison
Student: Dayana Allison
Dayana Allison fights to overcome rural health disparities
Published Dec 16, 2024 by
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Transitioning to college can be a whirlwind experience, but for East Carolina University freshman Dayana Allison, it has been a time filled with endless opportunities.
Allison is an Honors College student majoring in psychology on the pre-med track toward her goal of working as a pediatrician or neonatologist, but she is also working as an advocate for rural health.
"Throughout high school, I volunteered over 100 hours at Cape Fear Valley Hospital where I got to shadow doctors from different departments," Allison said; that's what sparked her interest in the medical field. "Through my volunteering, I got to see the different sides of rural health including hospitals being understaffed, long wait times, and a lack of tools. It was a very eye-opening experience."
Allison is a recipient of a $6,000 Black Women in STEM Scholarship by BestColleges.com, which recognized her tremendous effort in helping relieve rural health disparities. She is one of five students to receive the award across the United States.
Dayana Allison is an Honors College freshman at ECU majoring psychology on the pre-med track.
"I'm committed to directing my future career efforts toward bettering the quality of people's lives in my and other underrepresented communities across the nation," she said.
Her passion for eliminating rural health disparities has led her to want to help internationally. "I want to study abroad in London to get more involved with psychology, I want to study different people and groups, and examine how the medical system functions in London. But I'd also love to go to Spain and would definitely want to work more with rural medicine," Allison said.
Allison has quickly filled her schedule up with her involvement in the ECU Gospel Choir, MedPals, the Psychology Club, and the SGA Shipmate Program. She plans on getting even more involved during her time at ECU. "I'm interested in joining Dance Ability next semester, and I want to get more involved in leadership. I plan on applying for the Honors College Student Council," she said.
As she continues powering through her freshman year, Allison reminds herself of the advice her dad gave her while growing up. "My dad is a big metaphor guy. He always says, 'Whenever you get to the end, run through the tape.' I can apply that to all aspects of life. It reminds me to keep going," Allison said.
"While at ECU, I not only hope to perform well academically, but to make the most out of the wonderful opportunities ECU has to offer," Allison said. "Through my future research projects with professors, future school events that promote student and community unity, and future volunteer opportunities at ECU Health, I hope to make an impact in ECU's school history."
This Pirate is helping fight against rural health disparities.
STATISTICS
Name: Dayana Allison
College: Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Psychology (Pre-med track)
Age: 18
Classification/Year: Freshman
Hometown: Fayetteville
Hobbies/Interests: Working out, singing, watching movies and cooking
Clubs & Organizations: SGA Shipmate Program, MedPals Undergraduate Organization, ECU Gospel Choir, ECU Psychology Club
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: My home
Favorite place on campus: Joyner Library
Favorite place to eat: La Perla Nayarit in Fayetteville
Favorite Class: Social Psychology
Person who's influenced you the most at ECU so far: Margaret Turner
Favorite TV Show: "This is Us" (such a tearjerker show)
Favorite band/musician: I don't have one, there are just so many to choose from. I like most genres of music.
Favorite movie: "Fat Albert" and "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" (1971)
Favorite app: YouTube (from movies, vlogs, sermons and podcasts galore)