By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

When the students walk up and get inducted tonight, Emma Pastirik says she will fully realize that the ceremony is the most notable achievement that the College of Health Sciences Student Ambassadors have made. 

Emma, a sophomore on the Physician Assistant Studies track in Human Health Sciences, serves as a CHS Student Ambassador and works as a nursing care technician at Chandler Hospital.

But the Cleveland, Ohio, native says she thinks there’s been no greater positive impact on the community as the creation and implementation of the Diversity Healthcare Program at Bryan Station High School.

At 6 p.m. tonight, in a ceremony at the school, 25 more students will be inducted into the program.

“Through this program, we are furthering the responsibility of an ambassador to encourage others’ interest in healthcare, while also combatting disparities that limit many from pursuing a career in the healthcare field,” she said. “Overall, the group and I hope to further reduce the barriers that prevent all students from having an equal opportunity to enter into higher education and the healthcare field.”

In 2021, the Diversity Healthcare Program began to diversify health care professions by partnering with underrepresented students, empowering them to attain their goal of entering the health care field and providing them with support and mentorship from both CHS faculty and student ambassadors.

“We aim to aid in their transition from high school, to college, and ultimately into healthcare professions,” the program’s mission reads.

“Through my early interactions with the Scholars of BSHS, I had to learn how to relate to students younger than me, and in doing so, I realized ho

w similar I am to the students and how our shared passions and interests strengthen their trust in me and the ambassadors’ overall relationships with the Scholars,” Emma said.

“The DHP is a stepping-stone for further reducing the disparities that prevent some students from pursuing careers in healthcare,” she continued. “We hope to one day increase the diversity of providers in the healthcare field, which we hope will improve perspective and general quality of care for all patients.”

For a new group of students, that change begins tonight.

“Knowing that as an ambassador, I contribute to this change, it makes my involvement much more meaningful than a position on a resume, and any student in CHS would benefit from the experience I have had,” she said. “I am very grateful for all the ambassadors’ hard work, the contribution of those from Bryan Station, and especially for the efforts of all our Healthcare Partners. By working together, we are all making a difference in the future of Lexington’s community and the face of healthcare in general.”