Sixty members of the UNMC High School Alliance are among the students taking classes at UNMC this academic year.
The students come from high schools around the Omaha area and take college-level classes at UNMC to prepare for health careers.
Today we meet:
- Name: Alair Vega
- High school: Millard North High School
- Year: Senior
How did you get involved in the UNMC High School Alliance?
I got involved with the UNMC High School Alliance two days before the application was due, actually. I was sitting down with a counselor at my school trying to plan out my classes for my senior year and when I told him that I would like to go into the medical field, he mentioned the program.
What sparked your interest in science?
When I was eight years old, I witnessed my father suffer from kidney failure. I decided at that point in my life that I want to help people when they’re in a state of pain, and for me that meant pursuing a career in the medical field. I really noticed how much I loved the subject when I had a science teacher in middle school that made science exciting and fun. Ever since then I knew it was the subject for me.
What are your career aspirations?
One day I would like to be a specialized physician assistant in orthopedics. I have personal experience in the field of orthopedics and really enjoy patient interaction.
What has been the best part of your UNMC High School Alliance experience so far?
The best part has been all of the activities and opportunities the students have been exposed to. I especially loved doing the resistance training in the anatomy course, because the way the body operates is extremely fascinating to me. What I learned then can really help me in my day-to-day life. But most of all, I am grateful and have enjoyed the teachers and professors who have supported me along the way because I know I will have their support from here on out.