After completing her undergraduate degree in Near Eastern Studies and Biology at Cornell in 2012, Sara spent two years working as an HIV researcher, tester, and counselor at Project BRIEF at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. Her stigmatized patients were mostly from under-served communities; advocating for her patients ignited a passion that led her to pursue a career in medicine.
Sara is a member of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University Class of 2018. Although medical school was rigorous in training, she never forgot her social justice roots. During medical school, Sara found time to work at a Syrian refugee camp in Greece. Her Arabic skills she learned while at Cornell helped her navigate the complexities of the refugee camp, allowing her to listen and bond with the refugees and really understand their plight, and also serve as a translator for the camp. She spends her free time in medical school finding innovative ways to support the refugees who are resettling in Connecticut.
During her medical career, she's often been asked "Why Near Eastern Studies? What does it have to do with medicine?" Sara credits the Near Eastern Studies department for giving her the critical thinking tools needed to bring a fresh perspective to the obstacles health care and health education face. The writing skills, the ability to read and digest complex history and politics, and the appreciation for diversity and culture-- all of these skills have played a role in helping Sara champion causes she's passionate about, including refugee resettlement and healthcare equality.
