Sheridan Leak
Sheridan Leak is a rising senior pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with two minors – one in Spanish, and the other in Health Equity and Social Justice. She is interested in health disparities within the medical field, particularly regarding the socioeconomic factors that affect maternal health outcomes. Following her undergraduate studies, Sheridan plans to go to medical school to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as obtain a Master’s in Public Health.
This summer, Sheridan engages in two projects. In her first project, Sheridan is working with Rebecca Hamm, MD, MSCE and Meagan Lane-Fall, MD, MSHP on the NIH-funded project Achieving Maternal Equity and Transforming Health through Implementation Science and Training (AMETHIST@Penn). This team works to support 10 outside institutions that conduct equity-based maternal health implementation research. In addition, Sheridan will be working with Christin Iroegbu, PhD, RN to evaluate the connection between the level of clinical healthcare by providers and the health outcomes of patients with kidney disease. This study will utilize both statistical analysis of quantitative data from previously-established indices and databases, as well as qualitative analysis of survey responses from kidney disease patients regarding their quality of care.
At Saint Joseph’s University, Sheridan is a scholar in the John P. McNulty Program for Leadership in Science and Mathematics. On campus, Sheridan serves as the president for the SJU Black Student Union, and is a captain for the freshman orientation team. In addition, she has both served as a Class Senator on the University Student Senate and presented at SJU’s annual Day of Dialogue in each of her 3 undergraduate years thus far. She has also worked as a teaching assistant in biology laboratory courses. Sheridan currently works at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia throughout the year as a medical scribe in the emergency department. In her free time, Sheridan enjoys crocheting, listening to podcasts, and running.