Samantha Tyler

Hometown: Hicksville, New York

Educational background: Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Union College

Host Site: The PLAYERS Center at Wolfson Children’s Hospital

What is your title and role at your host site? As a Community Health Educator my main focus will be teaching children and their parents how to manage their asthma, but I will also be helping families fill our KidCare applications to get health insurance for their children and providing information to the community about how to prevent unintentional injuries.

Why did you join AmeriCorps/National Health Corps? In my gap year between undergraduate and medical school, I really wanted to have the opportunity to use what I have learned so far to help others and learn even more about public health in the process. I think this is the perfect opportunity to do just that!

What are you hoping to gain from your year of service? By the end of the year, I hope to have a better understanding of the health care system, the population I will be serving, and the best ways to go about helping those in need.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps service? I am currently applying to medical schools for the fall of 2015.

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years? I plan to work in the public health field, probably as a primary care physician.