Claudia Failor

My name is Claudia Failor, and I am a second-year Honors Scholar at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Sports Nutrition on a Pre-Medicine track with a minor in Chemistry.  I am passionate about preventive medicine, healthcare accessibility, and the role of daily lifestyle and mental health in overall well-being.  These interests have been shaped by my background as a varsity athlete and a student who values both science and service.  What makes my story unique is the intersection of athletics, healthcare, and compassion in my life.  I have gained diverse experiences working across sectors of public health and serving underserved communities.  My work includes supporting neurodivergent and disabled individuals at a residential camp, providing HIV testing and health counseling, working in the emergency room, and participating in street medicine initiatives that bring care directly to underserved populations.  Through these experiences, I have developed a strong interest in healthcare equity.  In the future, I hope to continue serving underserved populations through work in free clinics, street medicine, and global health initiatives such as Doctors Without Borders.  I have learned that meaningful healthcare begins with understanding individuals as people first.  Through the University Honors Program (UHP) at the University of Cincinnati (UC), I hope to further explore research, leadership, and interdisciplinary learning that connect medicine, lifestyle factors, mental health, and public health.  I am especially interested in research examining how daily habits, social factors, and mental health influence long-term health outcomes.  My long-term goal is to become a physician-scientist by earning both a PhD and a DO or MD, and to use evidence-based medicine alongside lifestyle-based and holistic approaches to improve patient outcomes. During my time at UC, I aim to grow as a leader, researcher, and advocate, as someone who not only studies health but also actively helps shape it.