Thanks to a generous grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Randolph-Macon College student Natalie Meyer ’18 recently participated in an internship at Nueva Vida, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia. Nueva Vida supports Latino families whose lives are affected by cancer, and advocates for patients’ access to cancer care. Founded in 1996, Nueva Vida provides cancer support services for Latina families in the Washington D.C., Baltimore and Richmond metropolitan areas.

During her internship, Meyer, a Spanish, classical studies, and religious studies major, visited the El Salvador Consulate, helped instruct Nueva Vida’s clients during mammography events, supported development and fundraising, and assisted in research initiatives to help meet the needs of Latinas living with cancer.

“Mammography days include the use of a mobile mammography bus provided by different hospital systems throughout the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area,” explain Meyer.  “Nueva Vida staff check in patients and sometimes aid in translation for the mammogram technicians as well as hospital pre-appointment forms.”

Meyer also attended briefings on Capitol Hill that were pertinent to the organization; wrote briefing summaries for Nueva Vida’s research department; and collected patient data through phone calls and in office visits.

“Nueva Vida is a Spanish-speaking office,” Meyer explains. “I loved being able to interact on a personal level with potential clients. I especially enjoyed participating in outreach, where I could spend one-on-one time with clients, practice my Spanish-language skills, and see firsthand the power of community service. At the end of each day, I felt that I had done something worthwhile. My internship was a priceless opportunity.”

Guidance and Mentorship
Meyer interned under the guidance of Wendy Hernandez, Nueva Vida’s outreach specialist. Hernandez was thrilled to share with Meyer the organization’s mission of informing, supporting and empowering Latinas whose lives are affected by cancer.

“Natalie was instrumental in providing our clients with translation and providing passionate compassion for medically underserved Latina women during our educational and preventive cancer screening sessions,” she says. “Natalie immersed herself in outreach and gained firsthand knowledge on the status of access to care for the vulnerable Latina population.”

Gratitude + Ambition
Meyer is thankful to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund for making her internship possible.

“The Fund graciously provided me the ability to accept this internship,” she says. “Thanks to the Fund, I was provided housing and a stipend. In addition, I am grateful for the Randolph-Macon Spanish department for helping guide me toward and prepare me for a Spanish-speaking internship.”

Getting The Edge
The Edge, R-MC’s four-year career preparation program, integrates a liberal arts education with an intentional focus on the skills and opportunities students need to gain a competitive advantage in their careers or when applying for graduate school. The Edge acted as a stepping-stone for Meyer’s placement with Nueva Vida.

Campus Life + Future Plans
Meyer is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Delta Pi, and Eta Sigma Phi. She has taken advantage of all that RMC offers: She studied abroad in Malaga, Spain during the spring semester of her sophomore year; was a member of the varsity swim team; and served as a Resident Assistant. The Dean’s List student is excited about all that the future entails— including a 2018 January Term (J-term) trip to Israel.

“I plan on attending postgraduate school for a master’s in theological studies—after which I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in the same field,” she says. “My plan is to become a religious studies professor at a four-year university.”

Meyer says her professors are key to her success as a student.
“I enjoy the close connections I have with my professors,” she says. “They have pushed me, guided me and helped me to grow toward my goals.”