September Spotlight: Ana Grogan, BS

Our September spotlight is Ana Grogan, BS. 

Ana grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois, and always knew that she wanted to become a doctor. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences with a BS in Neuroscience and a minor in Public Health. Throughout her undergraduate career, taking public health courses and shadowing physicians, she realized that she was passionate about community health. With the help of the PHSRC, she applied to several Master of Public Health programs, and recently started her first year in UMN-TC’s Maternal and Child Health Master of Public Health program. She is excited to be applying to medical school in the future with the practical and academic experience her graduate degree will provide her. 

First and foremost, congratulations on being accepted to Master of Public Health program here at the University of Minnesota! Can you tell us how you became interested in public health?  

I chose to go to the U of M School of Public Health because I realized the importance of preventive care throughout my undergraduate experiences. My professors in the public health minor ignited my enthusiasm for the field, and working as a medical scribe in emergency rooms across Minneapolis revealed the extensive structural changes needed to enhance our community health. Recognizing that a deep understanding of public health would make me a more effective physician, I decided to pursue a degree at the School of Public Health before applying to medical school.

You were one of the students in the Spring 2024 AHS 3001: Health and Medicine in India course, and had the opportunity to travel in and around Mysore, India with program leaders from the PHSRC. What are some of your most prominent memories and takeaways from the course?

My trip to India with the PHSRC was a pivotal moment in deepening my understanding of public health. I learned so much from my peers, all at various stages of their pre-health careers, as well as from the professionals we met abroad. Their focus on preventive medicine and community-based interventions in the communities we visited was truly inspiring. Observing their public healthcare systems and their approach to global maternal and child health further solidified my interest in these areas. My favorite excursion of the trip was when we got to see the Mysore Palace light up to celebrate the new year!

You also joined the University of Minnesota Special Olympics Club, a student organization that gives students the opportunity to work alongside Special Olympics Minnesota, before later taking on a club leadership role as the Unified Sports Coordinator. Tell us about your work with the club, and how you were able to show the impact of the club in your Master of Public Health program applications.   

My involvement with the Special Olympics began before high school, and I knew I wanted to continue being part of this incredible community when I entered college. After a year of making friends and loving the UMN Special Olympics club, I decided to take on the role of Unified Sports Coordinator. This position taught me lessons in budgeting, project planning, and multi-media communication. More importantly, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of sports and fostering inclusion and community. This experience became a central focus of my graduate school applications, as it reinforced my passion for improving community health and well-being. Organizations like the Special Olympics embody the positive impact I aim to make in public health and I am so grateful for all that I have learned and the friendships I have made!

There are many pre-health student organizations that students can join to connect with others with shared interests and find leadership opportunities. What perspectives do you have on gaining leadership experiences–and the many forms leadership can take–given your own leadership role within the Special Olympics Club?

I think that it is important to join student organizations because you are passionate about their message, not because you think that it will look good on your resume. Leadership skills are important for pre-health students to develop, but those skills develop more organically when you're genuinely invested in the cause you're supporting. When you're truly passionate about the mission of an organization like the Special Olympics Club, your leadership and teamwork abilities grow naturally through your dedication and enthusiasm. This authentic commitment not only enriches your personal growth but also shows through in any sort of application you submit.

Thank you, Ana, for your thoughtful perspectives as our September spotlight!