Andrew Aboujaoude

University of Central Florida

Andrew Aboujaoude, a third-year UCF student majoring in biomedical sciences, is a member of the UCF Burnett Honors College and the LEAD Scholars Academy. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA while being involved in multiple co-curricular activities. Andrew's involvement in one service program, Hearts for the Homeless, is of special note. He had learned that hypertension was a leading causes of death among homeless individuals, and he wanted to do something to address this situation. Andrew then connected with a local church that hosts free meals for the homeless population. He and other premed students were approved to set up blood pressure screening stations next to the food stations. In fall 2016, Andrew and a volunteer group of 70 UCF students began to provide student-medical services to the homeless population in downtown Orlando. More than 50 homeless people routinely gather nightly for dinner and also receive free blood pressure checks. Students monitor the patients' blood pressure numbers, and those who need medical attention are referred to Grace Medical Home for treatment. From this experience, Andrew has created a nonprofit organization and expanded his efforts to enlist other schools around the nation to join him in serving the indigent.

John Hitt
President
University of Central Florida

Personal Statement

My first experiences with the social issue of homelessness came when I was volunteering at the Sunday night food shares in Downtown Orlando. After volunteering for some time, I made many homeless friends and learned that there were serious health care issues in this community. Specifically, I realized that one of the most prominent health care issues facing this community was cardiac problems. To help solve this issue, I decided to take an efficient preventative health care approach. I founded my organization Hearts for the Homeless Orlando that seeks to contribute to the well-being of the homeless by providing free blood pressure screenings opportunities and education at food shares. In doing this work, I partnered with multiple free health care clinics and with food shares that serve free meals. Through my service, I have been able to more easily provide my homeless friends with simultaneous access to health care, food, and water. Furthermore, my work has helped many students better understand the homeless health care situation and has inspired them to give back to this community once they become professionals. Besides serving my Orlando community, I have started to spread the mission to homeless communities in Gainesville, Florida, and Nicaragua.

Andrew Aboujaoude
Biomedical Sciences: Class of 2018
written 2017

2017 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Erica Cherian, UNC Charlotte Morgan Sweere, University of Central Arkansas Andrew Aboujaoude, University of Central Florida Jaylon Thomas, University of Central Oklahoma Akshayaa Chittibabu, University of Connecticut Marie Spence, University of Denver Nicolette Duong, University of Florida Bobbie Alcanzo, University of Great Falls Eisha Khan, University of Houston-Downtown Alexis Smyser, University of Illinois at Chicago Rudy Amaya, University of La Verne Duane Belanger, University of Maine at Fort Kent Karla Casique, University of Maryland Axel Bayingana, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Sophia Lopresti, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Andrew King, University of Massachusetts Boston Callie Nunez, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Luiza Kinzerska-Martinez, University of Miami Nadine Jawad, University of Michigan Zachary Hayes, University of Michigan - Flint Gemechu Mekonnen, University of Minnesota Madison Bick, University of Missouri - St. Louis Isabel Langlois, University of Montana Shayla McGregor, University of Montana Western Sophie Ramsey, University of Mount Union Jimmy Nguyen, University of Nebraska at Omaha Shannon Bodeau, University of North Carolina Asheville Cristian Ramos, University of North Georgia Karina Judith Ortega, University of North Texas at Dallas Melanie Majeed, University of Northern Iowa Sarah Tomas Morgan, University of Notre Dame Anea Moore, University of Pennsylvania Hashaam Jamil, University of Pittsburgh Wila Matos, University of Rhode Island Edgar Chavarria, University of San Diego Emery Smith, University of South Carolina Isaac Miles, University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Corinne Tucker, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Richard Lee, University of Utah Rena Newman, University of Wisconsin - Madison Bianca Ruffolo, University of Wisconsin - Parkside Joanna (Jo) Niswonger, University of Wisconsin Colleges Yessenia Santamaria, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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