Hello! My name is Mary Elizabeth Porter, and I’m graduating from Clemson University in December of 2025 with a B.S. in Spanish and International Health. From a young age, I have been fascinated by science and have wanted to use my knowledge to understand and treat medical conditions. When I started learning Spanish in high school, I instantly fell in love with the language and knew that I wanted to continue my study of subject at college. During my time at Clemson, I have been able to take a variety of courses that incorporate my interests in both language and health. These classes have shaped my understanding of how many factors beyond an individual’s genetics affect health, including culture, environment, and education. As a result of my academic experiences, I am better equipped to provide effective, culturally competent care to diverse populations.

 

My experiences outside of the classroom have also developed my understanding of health and the importance of community, cultural humility, and empathy. While working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), I have had the opportunity to help patients with daily activities, take vital signs, reposition patients, and answer call lights. Although I have also learned valuable lessons from my coworkers, my most memorable experiences have come from my interactions with patients. Whether they are in pain from a recent surgery or feeling lonely due to a lack of visitors, many patients simply want to talk about what they are going through. Unfortunately, some patients do not have a support system to help them through challenging experiences, such as the loss of a loved one, homelessness, or a difficult diagnosis. Therefore, I try to support my patients by listening to their experiences. As a result, these conversations have expanded my worldview and deepened my ability to empathize with others. In addition to working as a CNA, I volunteer as a language assistant for ESL classes for refugees. These classes allow me to not only share my knowledge in English, but they allow me to learn vocabulary in other languages, such as French Creole. Although I cannot understand from personal experience what it is like to move to another country, I have gained a deeper understanding of the struggles that come with this, such as language barriers and discrimination. Overall, I love being able to connect with others through these classes, and I hope to use my understanding about the challenges that refugees face to inform how I interact with patients with similar life experiences.

 

I believe that a few of the most important values in a healthcare setting are empathy and open-mindedness. In my experience, healthcare professionals work with patients from a variety of backgrounds, religions, and cultures. For this reason, it is important to have an open mind, and listen to a patient’s experiences, even if they differ from your own. Without talking to a patient about their experiences, it is impossible to know their situation and all the factors that may contribute to their health. Therefore, it is crucial to provide empathetic, non-judgmental care. In the future, I will use these values to inform how I care for my patients as a nurse. Due to the nature of their role, nurses are able to spend a significant amount of time with their patients. In conclusion, I think this career path would allow me to build a relationship with my patients and provide empathetic, considerate care. Going forward, I will utilize what I have learned from my academic, professional, and volunteer experiences to provide culturally competent care that prioritizes the needs of my patients.