Name: Michelle Yip
Hometown: Stoneham, MA
Major: Health Management Policy
Graduation Year: 2020
Looking back on your time at UNH so far, what are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of my community involvement and how much I have learned and grown both as a student and as a leader. Volunteering is one of the best ways that you can give back and make a difference in the world. I have served my local community in Durham at Echo Thrift Shop and the Waysmeet Center, my national community at East Saint Louis working with inner city youths, and my global community by advocating public health in Haiti. By serving others I am able to learn different skills from leaders all over the world and transfer them to my new club, Long Term Care Society here on campus!
Let's talk favorites: do you have a favorite course and/or professor? Why is the course or faculty person so great?
One of my favorite professors is Mark Bonica in the HMP department. There are many reasons why he stands out to me – one of them is the way he teaches his students, and genuinely cares about our careers. Believe it or not, I actually like when he pushes us to enter the “adult world” by having us attend early morning networking events with CEOs and healthcare executives. The HMP department is very lucky to have him; he is a valuable asset to their team.
What motivates you?
The extreme cost of healthcare motivates me every day to continue my studies in health management and policy. I always hear stories about people who refuse medical attention due to the high costs. Some people even take Ubers to the ER instead of an ambulance, which is crazy to even think about, but it's a harsh reality that many Americans are facing.
How is your experience at UNH preparing you to achieve your goals?
As I mentioned, the HMP faculty and staff really encourage you to pursue professionalism. I don’t think other schools put enough emphasis on that which gives UNH a better advantage. We also have a large network of alumni who always love to give back to fellow Wildcats.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to work in a long term care facility in Boston! I would prefer to work for a non-profit organization that is moving toward innovative healthy aging.
What do you love about UNH?
I really love my major because it is very small community and everyone creates a sense of support and belongingness. As cliche as this may sound, UNH does offer many opportunities to explore your interests and that's a perk of being a Wildcat. If there isn’t a club for you, then you can start your own. It took my fellow classmates and I less than 2 weeks to get our new club ( LTC Society) up and running! UNH even offers resources to support LTC Society’s mission, which is to encourage careers in long term care and facilitate community outreach.
