Suzanne Chaar, health sciences alumna and BHC Scholar, moved to the United States from her native Syria in 2013. A transfer student from Lake-Sumter State College, she completed an Honors Undergraduate Thesis investigating how secondhand smoke can lead to cardiovascular diseases in nonsmokers. She’s currently applying to medical schools, with the goal of serving uninsured patients in need of quality healthcare.
Tell us about yourself. Why did you choose to study health sciences – is there a story there?
I was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria, and I moved to the United States in January 2013. When I came to the U.S., I did not know a word of English, but I learned it in high school. I started my college journey at Lake-Sumter State College, where I earned an Associate of Arts degree in May 2018.
While I was exploring different majors at UCF, I connected with Heba (@essenceofmed), a medical student in Michigan, through Instagram. I was able to meet with Heba in person during spring break before I transferred to UCF, [and] I learned from her about the different classes [the] health sciences major offers, and how those classes helped her in medical school. After our meeting I decided to choose to study health sciences, and it has been the best decision I ever made. I loved every single class I took, and I was able to apply a lot of what I learned in clinical settings while I volunteered as a CNA [certified nursing assistant] at Shepherd’s Hope.
What are some of the accomplishments at UCF that you are most proud of?
During my time at UCF, I was involved in research from my first semester when I attended the Summer Research Academy (SRA). Following SRA, I completed 4 semesters of independent research projects through the U-LEAD Programs under the LEAD Scholars Academy. I presented three of my projects at the Social Change Showcase in Fall 2018, Spring 2019, and Fall 2019, and I was selected as one of the winners during each semester.
SRA and U-LEAD programs led me to the most meaningful experience I had at UCF: Honors Undergraduate Thesis. My Honors in the Major thesis was on cardiovascular outcomes in nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke, [drawing from] results from the national health and nutrition examination survey. The goal of my project was to understand if secondhand smokers have similar likelihood of having cardiovascular disease like smokers. I looked at seven different diseases and found that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher likelihood of having hypertension and high cholesterol levels. Through the help of my thesis chair, Dr. Humberto López Castillo, I was successful in my project and I was awarded Honors Scholarship which is based on the scholastic performance and progress in the Honors Undergraduate Thesis program.
What advice do you have for other BHC Scholars who may want to pursue a similar path?
Never take a no for an answer, especially if it is something you are passionate about. I was rejected from five different research projects before I got into SRA, and I was able to make it all the way to publish my thesis. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and go after your dreams. Seek out mentors that have similar passions as you because they will help and advise you [to] reach your goals.
What will you be doing after graduation? How did BHC help you on your academic journey and in achieving these goals?
I am currently in the process of applying to medical schools. During my gap year between undergrad and medical school, I am planning to continue working in research with one of my mentors at the Department of Health Sciences at UCF. I am hoping to gain more knowledge and skills that I can use in the future in medical school and as a physician.
BHC has helped me a lot with all of the resources, seminars, and workshops that were offered during my time at UCF. BHC continues to help me and other scholars achieve our goals by providing mentorship even after graduation.
My long-term and life-long dream is to be a physician taking care of patients from different backgrounds and serving the uninsured population. One of my goals after I finish my medical training is to go on medical missions, especially to the Middle East, and use my bilingual and medical skills to serve patients. I want to continue to serve my community, help my patients to become healthier, and prevent future diseases.
If all things go right, 10 years from now you will most likely be…
…finishing a fellowship in cardiology or preventive health medicine.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you?
I was the commencement student speaker when I graduated from Lake-Sumter State College. It was one of most exciting things that happened to me, especially since English is my second language, and I never thought I would ever be able to stand in front of more than 900 people to share my story. This experience was special because it showed me how all the hard work paid off.