Mariamawit (Maria) Alemu is a pre-health undergraduate student pursuing a degree in global health. As a clinical assistant at Seattle Reproductive Medicine, she supported women through vulnerable procedures like intrauterine device (IUD) insertions and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, focusing on fierce advocacy and compassionate comfort. Her clinical experience has deeply shaped her philosophy that health care is not just about the procedure, but about protecting the person going through it.
She plans to enter an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, with the ultimate goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in trauma-informed care and health equity. She is dedicated to understanding how early distress and social determinants affect long-term wellness, and she aims to use her clinical expertise to build trust and advocate for children when they need it most. She shares updates on LinkedIn and Instagram.
As I draped the ultrasound table and laid out the sterile speculum, I noticed my patient’s shoulders were locked near her ears. Her chart noted a history of failed fertility cycles, but her vitals on the intake sheet were perfectly normal.
It would have been easy to finish setting up the tray, check the box, and fetch the physician. Instead, I paused and asked, “How are you holding up today?”
She exhaled …
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What clinical support staff notice that charts never show
