Scholarship Recipient, Briana Zabala

"I work hard at The Ohio State University in honor of my mother and my family. The struggles she and her mother, father and siblings endured when they came to the United States from the Philippines drive my passion in healthcare, specifically in dietetics. While we may learn about malnutrition that poverty brings in textbooks, remembering stories of my mother's lack of proper nutrition when she was a child continues to put many things in perspective for me.

With my degree in medical dietetics, I want to ultimately provide as much help, support and resources as I can to every individual and family that needs it. In order to ensure the confidence to do so, I hope to pursue graduate school in clinical and public health nutrition, abroad if possible. I think that having a worldly view in nutrition and dietetics can only strengthen my pursuit in becoming a diversified, open-minded professional.

While I continue my undergraduate studies, I value all the resources Ohio State has provided for me thus far. I currently work at the Wexner Medical Center as a student assistant nutrition aide, am the student affairs officer in the Student Dietetic Association and volunteer my time as a wellness ambassador at the Student Life Student Wellness Center on campus. Aside from my long-term commitments throughout the school year, I love to volunteer at the JamesCare for Life Garden of Hope and do research with professors associated with medical dietetics in the summer. I believe my experience. as well as my education at Ohio State is what gets me more excited and more ambitious to become the best healthcare professional I can.

I strive to make an impact in my community for my family and those around me and The A.B. Dolly and Ralph Cohen Scholarship allows me to continue to do so with less financial stress."

If you would like to make an impact and support scholarships for students, contact Leslie Kreinberg at kreinberg.3@osu.edu or at 614-247-6600