Samaya Patel

Hi!! My name is Samaya Patel, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Baldwin Scholars community. I’m from Waxhaw, North Carolina, where I grew up with my parents, my younger brother, and my dog, Theo. I am a proud Gujarati girl with a large, close-knit family, and growing up surrounded by such strong family and community ties in the broader Charlotte area has shaped the way I value connection.

 

At Duke, I’m pursuing an interdisciplinary path that blends the health sciences, community advocacy, and leadership, and I remain open to wherever my education leads me. I was part of the International Baccalaureate program in high school, where I thrived in an amazing cohort. Growing up with severe food allergies sparked my interest in medicine and ultimately led me to found a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing healthcare necessities to under-resourced communities. I plan to stay dedicated to these throughout my college career, as I’ve seen how access to care can shape opportunity and quality of life.
 

In high school, I played baseball with children with special needs, worked on projects for Levine Children’s Hospital and Duke’s Cancer Institute, and was involved in advocacy and education efforts that centered on community voices. I LOVE to dance. I performed Bollywood dance for 13 years with my team, raising thousands of dollars for various organizations. I’m excited to bring that same energy for the things I love to Baldwin.

 

Outside of academics, you can probably find me watching Love Island, practicing self-care, dancing, or FaceTiming my family and friends at the most random times. I love going out, traveling, and trying new foods. If anyone has any good recommendations, let me know! 

 

I am very fortunate to be a member of such a fantastic community that encourages and inspires one another to make the world a better place each and every day.