Meet Julia!
Julia graduated from USF in Spring 2024 with a degree in Health Sciences, concentrating in Health Information Technology, along with a minor in Leadership Studies.
“I enjoy working with computers along with health informatics which guided me to the degree I earned. I also was interested in the leadership minor because I hope to use what I learned to grow with my current employer.”
Julia shared that: “I began my journey with my current employer, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine as a patient in 2016 and after several years was able to obtain private health insurance but my journey did not end there. I became a volunteer for this amazing organization in July 2020 due to a desperate shortage of volunteers due to covid. After cross training as a volunteer in several different aspects of the organization, I was offered a staff position in June 2023 as their Patient Care Coordinator.”
From patient to volunteer, to leader, she states: “my love for this incredible non-profit continues to grow and I am both humbled and honored to be a part of the LVIM family.”
Competencies Julia finds essential to her current success:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Technology
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Professionalism
- Career & Self-Development
Her journey: “I became a college freshman at the age of 56 and earned my AA degree with Polk State College in December 2021. I transferred to USF in January 2022 where I continued my academic quest. One of the biggest struggles I suffered was my lack of memorization skills and they was waned with age. I also have a number of physical limitations that sometimes became a hindrance during my studies.”
“However, with all of that I maintained a USF gpa of 4.0 with an overall gpa of 3.9 upon graduation.”
USF support and mentorship: “Dr. Christina Eldredge was one of best professors I experienced during my time at USF and became a source of encouragement for me during times of struggles.”
Recent accomplishments:
- Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
- National Society for Leadership and Success
- Tau Sigma National Honor Society
- Graduation with magna cum laude honors
Julia’s advice to USF students:
“Make sure you have a definitive timeline of due dates and assignments and do your best to ensure all are handed in on time as well as keeping an open line of communication with each professor if you would need an extension or are having difficulties.”