Hey Jumbled Dreams Family! Meet Riya!
What got you started in helping others?
“Ever since I was young, I always had the dream of becoming a doctor – for the sole purpose of helping others. However, I didn’t limit service to the medical field. There were many instances where I felt the need to help others – one specific occurrence was from when I was a 1st grader visiting India. I went to a temple and saw multiple children walking barefoot on the gravel; they had blisters on their feet and no protection. Seeing this made me want to do something about it – to which I asked my parents if we could buy shoes for all of the kids from a nearby shop. As I grew in my journey towards medicine specifically, I decided to teach children in Indian Orphanages (through Zoom) how to perform basic healthcare practices such as tourniquet making and taking care of various injuries. I didn’t limit my service to India – I also taught first grade kids around the US (through Zoom) how to speak English and volunteered to perform discharges at a local hospital.”
What is your project and how does it help others?
“The Daily Dosage is a student-led organization that seeks to build a community between students interested in medicine, ranging from middle school to college students. At The Daily Dosage, I strive to foster a community which is led by my passion for the medical field. I hope to educate the common audience about various medical topics ranging from occupations to diseases and awareness.”
How are you following your dreams?
“I am currently a freshman at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, studying Biology under the 3+4 LECOM Early Acceptance BA/DO program. At my university, I am a part of clubs such as Pre-Med Society, Alpha Phi Omega, HOSA (Future Health Professionals), Tri Beta Biological Honors Society, Women’s Affairs Council, Red Cross, and Ready SET Research.”
What advice do you have for those who want to start their own project?
“Follow your heart, reach out, meet new people, and believe in yourself! If you can dream it, you can definitely achieve it! Any field or new endeavor has numerous opportunities and areas for you to explore yourself – reach for the ones that captivate you and you will definitely find your passions!”
You can find Riya on Social Media: @_riya.patel & @thedailydosage.20