Prevounce Health, a leading provider of remote care management software, devices, and services, congratulates Veronica Komorek, recipient of the fifth annual Prevounce Preventive Health Graduate Scholarship.
The Prevounce Preventative Health Undergraduate Scholarship was open to students entering or already established in an accredited, U.S.-based undergraduate program who are pursuing a career in healthcare. Komorek is originally from Colonia, New Jersey, and now attends Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania where she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology with the goal of becoming a medical doctor specializing in endocrinology.
Veronica Komorek: Growing up, I have always really liked subjects like biology and anatomy. In addition, a lot of my family members are nurses. Their stories and career experiences further sparked my interest in healthcare. The most impactful event that fueled my desire to become a physician was when news of a potential cancer cluster at my high school became public when I was a junior. This was due to several carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDCs) found leaching from the building. My community was severely impacted by the fact that a place made to be a safe setting for kids to learn was a dangerous environment. I was really moved by this event and decided that I want to help people become aware of the dangers of EDCs and receive the treatment they need for cancers and other diseases caused by such toxins.
VK: I am passionate about helping people and love the supporting environment of the medical community. I think that being a doctor would be highly rewarding, as they have a direct impact on others, and the contribution that they have on peoples' lives is tangible. Having a patient come in with an illness or health issue and knowing that I can help them get better is a feeling that I would love to experience in my future career.
VK: After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to enter medical school. I then aim to become an endocrinologist and spread awareness on the negative impacts of EDCs like the one found in my high school, as well as treat the health issues that these toxins cause.
VK: The Prevounce scholarship will significantly lighten the burden of undergraduate tuition cost. It will help me continue to be involved in extracurricular activities, such as my current collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Pennsylvania on spreading awareness to young people on the dangers of endocrine disruptors, which will enrich me as a future doctor. It will also allow me to focus on my studies and continue to make an impact in the fields of biology and epidemiology, as I am planning on engaging in on-campus research this summer.