Diana Kachman
"I am very proud to have been part of SHPEP. It helped me a lot in exploring healthcare topics and realizing there is a way to form a community with students like me."
Ms. Kachman attended SHPEP in 2021 at the University of Washington. During her undergraduate studies, she earned her CNA, worked as the program director for Adopt a Grandparent, and studied public health and traditional medicine abroad in Ecuador. She will be graduating in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in History.
Diana Kachman
Ms. Kachman attended SHPEP in 2021 at the University of Washington. During her undergraduate studies, she earned her CNA, worked as the program director for Adopt a Grandparent, and studied public health and traditional medicine abroad in Ecuador. Ms. Kachman is a CNA at a retirement home in Minnesota and a research intern at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute in Washington State. She will be graduating in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in History. Ms. Kachman’s long-term goal is to earn an MD-MPH, focusing on global public health and geriatrics.
What path did you take when you first started college?
I believed that I was going to major in a science such as biology or chemistry. Instead, I decided to major in English, a subject I am passionate about, while still pursuing a career in healthcare.
What led to your interest in a health profession?
I was interested in healthcare from a young age. As the product of immigration, I wanted to do something to help people from all walks of life.
Who are what inspired you?
I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up, learning from their stories and watching my grandmother succumb to Alzheimer’s Disease. I realized that many vulnerable communities are often ignored or cast aside in medicine. I was also inspired by the idea of narrative medicine, the concept that every patient’s individuality and story must be taken into consideration to provide the best treatment possible.
What are some of your recent milestones?
I completed my CNA training and became certified. I also earned a paid internship at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute and researched the implementation of peer support in behavioral training programs for parents in underserved communities.
What makes your story unique?
I am a first-generation college student. I am also a bilingual Latina and a member of the LGBT community.
How did SHPEP influence you?
I am very proud to have been part of SHPEP. It helped me a lot in exploring healthcare topics and realizing there is a way to form a community with students like me.
What advice do you have for students pursuing a health professional career?
Never give up; there are many ways to enter the healthcare field and you will find where you belong. Explore all types of different options and try your best in everything you do.