Shayla Menagi

Hometown: East Lansing, MI

Educational background: B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan

Host Site: Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida

What is your title and role at your host site? My position as the Health Insurance Outreach Coordinator involves educating providers, small businesses, community organizations, and residents of the state of Florida on the Affordable Care Act, and the new laws regarding health insurance policies. I’ll also act as a Navigator for the 2014-2015 Open Enrollment Period, to help enroll people who qualify for subsidized health insurance through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace. 

Why did you join AmeriCorps/National Health Corps? To gain more experience in health-related fields, to immerse myself in a project whole-heartedly, and to meet amazing individuals who are dedicated to building “bridges,” not “walls.”

What are you hoping to gain from your year of service? I’d like to develop a deeper perception of the current disparities in the health-care system, and a fortified motivation to eradicate those very disparities.

What are your plans after AmeriCorps service? I’m hoping to pursue a career in medicine, and more specifically than that, I’m pursuing primary care. I’m not entirely sure where the road will take me, but that’s more than half of the excitement and anticipation in life… Isn’t it?

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years? I see myself practicing medicine in a place where I can make the most profound impact—I often imagine that place will have copious amounts of berries and whipped cream, but only time will tell.