B.S.: Healthcare Provider Wellness

Major, Minor, Certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation record: 

• Minor: Biological Sciences
• Honors: Summa Cum Laude
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Phi Kappa Phi

Degree Mentors:

• Kyle Bates| Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Paramedic Program| UMBC Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems
• Blake Francis, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy
• Eric Brown| Assistant Teaching Professor, UMBC Individualized Study Program

Why did you choose to major in INDS? 

While a strong scientific foundation is important for medicine, I believe that being an effective physician requires a deeper understanding of the human experience, including the psychosocial and philosophical factors that shape well-being.

I was introduced to the INDS program during my freshman year through a presentation by Dr. Freeland in my BIOL 142 course. I was initially drawn to the program because of its reputation for helping students stand out in graduate school applications, including medical school. However, I quickly realized that what truly made INDS valuable was the freedom and support it provided to explore my interests in a meaningful and intentional way.

The program's flexibility has allowed me to engage with disciplines I might not have otherwise considered, such as philosophy, which became one of the most impactful areas of my education. INDS encouraged me to step outside a rigid academic path and to build coursework that reflected my intellectual curiosity and aligned with my long-term goals. During this process, I discovered new interests while also expanding my understanding of existing ones.

Thanks to this creative and interdisciplinary approach, I was able to design a degree in “Healthcare Provider Wellness”, an area that is personally meaningful and highly relevant to the growing issue of physician burnout in the United States. I have long been interested in the relationship between physical and mental health, particularly how lifestyle habits influence well-being, performance, and resilience. INDS gave me the opportunity to transform that interest into a structured academic focus that bridges multiple disciplines with the lived experiences of healthcare professionals.

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

After graduating from UMBC, I plan to take two gap years before beginning medical school. I will use this time to gain clinical experience as an EMT with the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department. In addition, I have accepted a full-time position with MissionFit, a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization where I have volunteered for the past year. MissionFit’s mission is to empower Baltimore’s youth through health, wellness, and community building, while developing the skills they will need for a successful transition into the workforce. I am excited to step into this role, as it closely aligns with my passions and values. My experience at MissionFit has reinforced the importance of preventative health, community support, and sustainable wellness practices, principles that I hope to carry into my future career in medicine. Outside of my professional pursuits, I plan to prepare for my first bodybuilding competition following graduation, as well as my first Muay Thai fight shortly thereafter, both of which reflect my commitment to physical activity and long-term health.

My INDS degree is directly connected to these goals, as it has allowed me to explore the psychological, social, and philosophical dimensions of healthcare, as well as the scientific. In particular, my focus on “Healthcare Provider Wellness” has shaped my understanding of physician burnout as a systemic issue that impacts providers and patients. Through my gap year experiences and future medical training, I hope to apply this perspective by prioritizing sustainable practices, advocating for healthier work environments, and contributing to a model of medicine that supports patient outcomes and physician well-being.

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

During my time at UMBC, I have been deeply involved in both academic and community-based initiatives. 

• Neuroscience Researcher (3years)|  Vonhoff Lab- contributing to multiple projects and presenting my work at three conferences, including URCAD and a national conference, with manuscripts currently in progress.

• URCAD Researcher (2026)| 
  • Physician Burnout Through the Emotional State Theory of Happiness
  • USP8 Manipulations Lead to Synaptic Morphology Alterations and Sensory Behavior Disruptions in Drosophila LarvaeURCAD Researcher (2026)

• Vice President| UMBC Weightlifting Club- fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for members

• Organic Chemistry Tutor- Two Years
• Teaching Assistant| UMBC Classes- BIOL 302, INDS 335, and CHEM 102L
• UMBC Phage Hunters- 2025/2026

Beyond the classroom, I continue to serve as: 

• Volunteer EMT| Arbutus Fire Department 
• Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line, 
• Tutor| P2P program- where I work with formerly incarcerated students pursuing higher education.
• Youth Health and Wellness Coach| MissionFit

Awards, Certifications, Scholarships, etc. that you have received in your time at UMBC: 

• John W. Jeffries Dean's List Award
• President's List (4.0 GPA, every semester)
• George, Lela, and Bruce Warr Scholarship
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Commended INDS Degree Plan

Any thing you would like to share about your time at UMBC or in the INDS program:

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the INDS faculty and staff for their unwavering support throughout my academic journey. The mentorship I received in this program has been invaluable. At every stage, the INDS team has gone above and beyond to guide, challenge, and support me, opening doors to opportunities I could not have imagined at the start of my college career.

I highly recommend the INDS program, particularly for pre-med students seeking a meaningful way to differentiate themselves while pursuing their passions. In addition to allowing me to tailor my education to my goals and interests, INDS has also helped me grow into a more thoughtful and reflective future professional.

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

Good morning! 

DAWA will have IACUC office hours in the ILSB today (Monday 5/4) and next Monday 5/11. DAWA will resume normal office hours the following Wednesday (5/20). As a reminder our office hours are from 8:30 - 11:30am. 

Big News from UMBC Procurement!

We are beyond excited to unveil the very first edition of our brand-new newsletter: Procurement Purpose! 

Consider this your go-to source for everything happening in our world. We’re moving fast, staying sharp, and we want to keep you in the loop with all the latest wins and updates from the UMBC Procurement Department.

Inside This Issue:

• Our New Mission Statement: See the vision that’s driving our department forward.

• The Dream Team: Celebrating our newly certified Procurement professionals! 

• On the Road: Go behind the scenes of our recent Department Field Trip.

• Essential Updates: Key info you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Dive In Now

Ready to see what we've been up to? Click the link below to read the full issue:

We hope you enjoy the read as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Stay tuned for more regular updates!

Happy Reading,

The UMBC Procurement Team

Thanks to all our members who joined us for our event on Friday! We discussed grievances, advice, tips, etc.

GWST Assistant Professor Nehal Elmeligy asked to share the following message: We thought it would be great if we created a group chat to serve as a depository where we share these things since we won't be able to meet in person often, and certainly not all of us. I see it as a place for us to ask questions, share tips, advice or important information. An informal chat but about work. 

If you are interested, you can join the WhatsApp group via this link: : https://chat.whatsapp.com/CxRIfuiVsdjAHufOAZdu9P?mode=gi_t
I'm currently the admin as I created the group, if anyone is interested in being a co-admin, let me know: nelmelig@umbc.edu.

Attend UMBC's Professional Programs Open House, 10-12:30 Saturday, May 9, to find out how UMBC's professional programs can help you meet your goals, build your professional network, and equip you with the technical, leadership, and management skills that employers are looking for.  https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/event/professional-programs-open-house-2/

Rent: $725/month — all utilities and maintenance included (no surprise bills) 

Location: 

• Circle Drive, Arbutus, MD 21227 

• 5-min drive to UMBC campus 

• 8-min walk to the Westland UMBC shuttle stop 

Your Space: 

• Private basement bedroom with private half-bath 

• Private basement entrance to townhouse 

• Full bathroom upstairs (shared) 

• Access to kitchen, dining room, and living room 

• In-unit laundry in the basement 

• Dedicated parking spot behind the house 

House Rules: 

• Male tenants only | No couples | No room sharing 

• No smoking, drugs, or parties 

Ideal for: Male UMBC undergraduates grad students

Availability: June 2026 and beyond 

To schedule a tour: WhatsApp only → 443-794-5336 

Hi everyone! I’m looking for a reliable and caring babysitter/house helper.

Part-time option:

• 3 days a week
• 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Responsibilities include childcare and light household help

Full-time option:

• Flexible hours
• Accommodation and meals can be provided

Support/compensation can be arranged based on hours and responsibilities.

Anyone looking for a supportive and flexible arrangement are welcome to reach out.

Please email me at vvenkit1@umbc.edu if interested or if you have any leads.

Thank you!

Baltimore area companies Entinex and Design Rosetta are hosting another Lean Coffee: AI conversation for people working with or thinking about AI at the Glenmore Cafe in bwtech@UMBC. Lean Coffee meetings have no speakers or slides, just structured, participant-driven discussions about the topics people actually care about in work
and society right now. 7:30-9:30 am,  May 19 in the Glenmore Cafe at BWTech South.

REGISTER HERE 

CSA E-Board Elections are HERE
Whether you wanna plan iconic events, bring the vibes, or just put your ideas into action — WE WANT YOU 
Positions open, voices needed, energy required
Don’t just attend CSA… run it
Open positions are available—apply and be part of the team. (link down below & in the bio in our Instagram @umbccsa)

FORM DUE MAY 8TH!

https://forms.gle/Aogqbky7Jg9Gn2ee9