Alekhya

Member Name: Alekhya Rajasekaran
NHC Program: Central California
Host Site: Harmony Health Community Clinic
Position Title: Food Security Program Assistant

Where are you from?
I was born in Oman, but I grew up in Visalia, California, for the majority of my life!

Are you a student? If so, where and what are you studying?

I am a recent Class of 2025 graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Biotechnology. Go Orange!

Why did you decide to join NHC?

Growing up in the Central Valley, I’ve seen a lot of my community fall into barriers outside of their control and noticed how misinformation and societal division can exacerbate these health issues. Public health faces the challenge of empowering patients to make informed health decisions, especially in under-resourced areas, and I knew after graduating from college that I wanted to do my part to address this. I joined
NHC because it allows me to dedicate committed time serving and helping improve health education and food access in a vital time.

What are you hoping to gain or learn during your service term?

I hope to contribute and learn details about the essential impact that community health centers have in underserved parts of California. Being close to Sacramento offers a unique opportunity to observe how policy directly plays a role in the operation of community clinic programs, and I am eager to educate myself more on the interplay between healthcare delivery and policy. 

What are you most looking forward to during your service term?

I am especially looking forward to organizing community nutrition education events and a free farmers' market at Marysville!