Volunteer Spotlight: Emily Da Cruz
This March, we celebrate Ms. Da Cruz and her contributions to LIG Global. Our mission wouldn't be possible without the dedication and passion she brings to our team.
This March, we celebrate Ms. Da Cruz and her contributions to LIG Global. Our mission wouldn't be possible without the dedication and passion she brings to our team.
While the pandemic has altered the way LIG Global has been supporting underserved communities, it has certainly not stopped the growth and dedication of its volunteers. Emily Da Cruz, a current LIG Global intern, is a prime example of the new approach LIG volunteers are taking to fulfill the organization’s mission and improve access to high quality and equitable healthcare worldwide.
A current sophomore at Duke University, Emily is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience, with minors in chemistry and spanish while on the pre-medicine track. From a young age, Emily gravitated toward the medical field and found a passion for utilizing a hands-on approach to solving problems. On campus, Emily is an undergraduate research assistant studying Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood and the genetic mutation causing the disease, an RA, a tour guide, and member of the women’s club lacrosse team, among many other activities. Outside of the classroom, Emily has a strong passion for aiding underserved communities, specifically Hispanic communities. Being the daughter of a Uruguayan immigrant, Emily has always felt a strong connection to her hispanic heritage and prioritizes working with hispanic communities to help alleviate some of the adversity that hispanic individuals face. In particular, Emily is on the executive board for GANO: Gente Aprendiendo para Nuevas Oportunidades, a club in which Duke students volunteer to tutor Hispanic members of the local community in English. Wanting to connect her passion for supporting underserved communities and professional interests in the medical field, Emily reached out to Dr. Claudine Sylvester, the CEO of LIG Global, for an opportunity to participate in the field.
Thanks to Dr. Sylvester, Emily was able to join the LIG Global team as an intern starting in late 2020.
“While joining an organization that focuses its efforts on global connections in the middle of a pandemic has been difficult, it has still been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Emily explains.”
As an LIG Global intern, Emily is responsible for generating content for LIG Global’s website and social media to spread awareness about LIG Global’s mission and anecdote the successes and future goals of the organization. Even in the short time that Emily has been involved with LIG Global, she feels sheer respect and excitement to be working alongside healthcare professionals and individuals passionate about global health projects. Each member of the LIG Global team that Emily has met has welcomed her warmly and been incredibly supportive in her work for the organization.
In the near future, Emily hopes to participate in one of LIG Global’s medical programs and directly work with LIG Global’s team as well as the local communities to increase the availability of equitable healthcare on an international level. We thank Emily for her work thus far and look forward to all that she will accomplish both within and beyond the LIG Global community!
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