Hi! My name is Pamela Rodriguez, and I am beyond grateful and honored to be a part of the Baldwin Scholars Program, surrounded by such an inspiring and supportive community of amazing women. For most of my life, I have been bouncing back and forth between Arizona, Maryland, and the Dominican Republic. Despite traveling between the three, I call Chandler, Arizona, my home, as it’s where I’ve spent most of my life.
In high school, I balanced academics while immersing myself in various extracurricular activities. I served as captain of my dance team, founded the American Cancer Society Club, held leadership roles in several volunteering clubs, and led initiatives to support cancer patients and tackle the environmental crisis. These experiences taught me perseverance, the power of collaboration, and the importance of taking initiative.
Growing up in constantly changing and different environments has tested and shaped my identity in so many different ways. My Dominican heritage holds a special place in my heart, instilling in me a deep sense of pride and resilience. As a child, throughout my time in the Dominican Republic, I witnessed significant healthcare disparities in underdeveloped communities. Accompanying my mother, an internal medicine doctor, as she launched projects and navigated the challenges of providing care to underserved areas, I became deeply inspired. Her dedication taught me the value of compassion and sparked my passion for advocating for healthcare equity and education.
At Duke, I’m thrilled to continue exploring my passions for global health and women’s health equity. Ultimately, I aspire to revolutionize the healthcare system, particularly for women of color, by addressing the many inequities that have persisted for far too long. I hope to further analyze the multifaceted factors and layers contributing to these disparities through my studies.
As far as hobbies, I love dancing, listening to music, practicing self-care, and watching ridiculously long shows (my favorite is Grey’s Anatomy)!! Having the incredible opportunity to further my college journey as a Baldwin Scholar, I am excited to learn, grow, and develop the tools needed to create a better world, surrounded by brilliant and driven women.