B.A.: Ethics of Patient Centered Medicine

Degree Mentors:

• Dr. Blake Francis, Director of Human Context of Science & Technology (HCST)| UMBC Assistant Professor, UMBC Philosophy
• Dr. Michelle Seu, MD Loyola Medicine |UMBC INDS Alumni, B.S. Biology & B.A. INDS
• Carrie Sauter, Assistant Director, Individualized Study Program
• Eric Brown, Assistant Teaching Professor, Individualized Study Program

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose to major in INDS because I was interested in multiple aspects of knowledge, more specifically, in healthcare. INDS offered a route that allowed me to take control of my time and education in college, and I am so grateful to be leaving with an invaluable degree that I got to make myself. Not only do I get to leave with my unique degree, but I also get to leave with the experience of completing a capstone project. After I graduate, I get to look back and be proud of the amount of time and effort I spilled into my INDS degree.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

As a pre-medical student, my goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology. My INDS degree is intentionally designed to address the ethical, psychological, social, and historical dimensions of medicine that are especially central to patient-centered care. Grounded in a holistic approach, my coursework integrates philosophy and ethics, sociology, psychology, gender studies, anthropology, and the history of medicine to examine how identity, power, trauma, and structural inequities shape healthcare experiences. These are all relevant to reproductive health, where autonomy, justice, and communication are essential. My capstone research on the healthcare and reproductive health experiences of women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) further strengthens my commitment to inclusive, disability-competent care. I trust that my INDS degree will aid me in becoming a reflective, ethical, and compassionate doctor who prioritizes empathy, autonomy, and equitable care.

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?

Clubs/Organizations:

• President, Filipino- American Student Association

For More information on Tristen's INDS journey please click here!