Audrey Lu graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree, Health Informatics & Health Information Management
What interested you in studying public health and why are you passionate about it?
At a young age, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to healthcare because my grandmother struggled with chronic diseases. I was determined to contribute to the effort of improving affordable, accessible and quality healthcare.
What’s your favorite aspect about studying public health and why?
My favorite aspect about studying public health is its life-long learning nature. Healthcare is ever-changing — new diseases surface, new treatments are developed and technology evolves. The way that people view health is also fluid. I enjoy being in a field that keeps me curious and excited.
How do you want to change the world with your degree?
I want to use technology to enhance healthcare deliveries for healthcare professionals to help improve patient outcomes. I hope to bridge gaps in medical record errors and inadequate medical resources in underserved areas by building better systems or medical technologies.
What experiences at the UW SPH have been most influential?
For my capstone project, I worked with health informatics professionals at Providence Regional Medical Center. During this experience, I shadowed their work, and got a closer look at the healthcare space. Most importantly, I was able to apply my classroom knowledge in a hands-on way and contribute to the organization. I experienced the rewarding aspect of helping people in healthcare.
Why did you choose the UW?
I chose the UW because I simply fell in love with the campus when I visited. The weather and seasonality here remind me of my home in China. I also knew that the UW and the School of Public Health are highly ranked in the health sciences fields.
What interests do you have outside of (or related to) public health? Any extracurricular activities?
I enjoy reading articles or listening to podcasts about health, nutrition, sleep and lifestyle habits. I tend to be a more low-key person, so I enjoy doing self-care at home, listening to music, tending to my plants and trying out food recipes at home!
What is one piece of advice that you have for potential new public health students or one thing you wish you knew before beginning your public health studies?
I would advise prospective students to be aware of and use the wealth of resources that are available to them. Meet up with advisers, reach out to upper classmates and connect with people in your department and throughout the School of Public Health. There is so much to learn from people, and there are also opportunities such as career development events, seminars, leadership opportunities and internships made available through school-wide communications or personal networking.