Haleigh Prather is currently studying to become a doctor, but her future didn’t always seem so bright. Estranged from her father, Haleigh was raised by a single mother under modest circumstances. Haleigh expounds on her experiences, insights, and life choices that allowed her to chase the American dream.

Haleigh Prather is a second-year medical student at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Her motivation for pursuing medicine stems from an interest in studying (and a history of living through) the social determinants of health as well as a curiosity in exploring medicine’s relationship with family dynamics. She hopes to go into primary care with a current interest in pediatrics or OBGYN.

Haleigh grew up just outside Los Angeles, California, and then moved to Poughkeepsie, New York where she graduated with her degree in Biochemistry from Vassar College in 2017. She then earned a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2019.

Haleigh is a passionate advocate for equity and social justice, with an emphasis on having a more heterogeneous population of students admitted to medical schools. In addition to her studies, Haleigh is a part of her medical school’s student council, she is a senior leader with the Women’s Leadership Development Program (WLDP), and she is a student tutor for the current first year class.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, watching cartoons, and is currently trying to learn how to roller skate.

Follow Haleigh on Twitter at: @hxleigh__