Maya Hagander
Third-year medical student Maya Hagander was awarded the Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for promoting equal opportunity in medical education and healthcare access, and leadership in addressing the needs of underserved communities. She is one of five students nationally who received the award at the AAMC Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in November.
Growing up as a third-culture kid, the daughter of two disabled veterans, Maya and her family lived a global nomadic lifestyle, which helped her learn to appreciate cultural nuance, a love of humanity, and a commitment to service. She moved to the U.S. to pursue undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and African and diaspora studies at Wittenberg University before joining the UVA School of Medicine as part of the MD Class of 2027, where she connects with the community through mentorship and direct local engagement. Her research interests include social determinants of health, health justice, and disparities in healthcare access. Driven by her parents’ selflessness and the people and places that have shaped her, Maya plans to pursue a medical career that combines clinical care and advocacy.
Filed Under: Education, Honors & Awards