HWS News
7 December 2016 Gosselin Wins Padnos Award
Danielle Gosselin '19 will travel to Nepal over the winter break to gain experience toward her professional goal of becoming a physician. The sophomore biology major, who is preparing for a PA (physicians assistant) school, has been awarded the Padnos Family Endowed Internship and Travel Award.
Funded by gifts from Jeff and Peg Padnos P'11, the annual award supports a Hobart or William Smith student who is interested in an internship or research experience abroad. Applicants who intend to pursue a sustainability internship or research experience are given preference.
Gosselin will travel to the Chitwan region of Nepal during the winter break, and will work in the pediatrics unit at Chitwan Medical College for roughly two weeks. Although she is still finalizing the details of her trip, she hopes to stay with a local host family to be better immersed in the Nepalese way of life.
"Since I can remember, Ive always had a desire to help those less fortunate than I in any way possible," says Gosselin. "While I am only 19 years old and have barely made a dent in my career training, I am thrilled to be able to apply the knowledge that I have to those in need."
Though she may be new to her field, Gosselin, who won the First Year Academic Award in May 2016, has worked previously as a certified nursing assistant in her hometown of New Milford, Conn. She has been a Deans List student since her first semester at HWS, and was recently awarded the Carol Hayden Warren 60 Scholarship.
"I am happy to enthusiastically recommend Danielle Gosselin for the Padnos Family International Research Award," wrote Assistant Professor of Biology Shannon Straub in Gosselin's application for the award. "I have no doubt that in a medical internship she would have a great rapport with her patients while gaining invaluable experiences for her future career in healthcare."
Although Gosselin has never traveled to Nepal, she believes it will provide the best opportunity for her to learn new skills even as she assists others. "I chose Nepal after hearing about devastating earthquakes in the news, and learning that it is one of the poorest countries in the world," she says. "I believe that because I am fortunate enough to be receiving a HWS education, it is only fair that I give back in any way I can. I see volunteering my time and services in Nepal to be the best way to do so."
