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Author: Katie M. Spencer, SPT

Katie Spencer is a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Marist University in New York. After experiencing generous community support through various childhood hardships, she made it her life-long mission to continually support those who did not have anyone. To engage with health humanities firsthand, she enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17 years old as a medic where she provided care to marginalized communities, both domestically during times of crises and overseas in austere environments. In her free time, she enjoys exploring hidden swimming spots and off-the- map towns with her canine best friend, Raqqa, whose name is a tribute to the stories shared with you of the resilient Kurdish women who have touched her life deeply.

The Young Doctor: One Day, Inshallah

In her winning essay, “The Young Doctor: One Day Inshallah,” Katie Spencer recounts her transformative experience providing medical care in a Syrian refugee village during her time as a US Army medic. Central to her essay is an encounter with a young girl who dreamed of becoming a doctor, despite her school being destroyed by insurgents. Spencer invited her to follow along as she treated patients. Learning to innovate patient care with limited resources, Spencer prioritized listening to patients’ stories and recognized that “language barriers and cultural differences mean little when a bridge of universal compassion is built.” Her essay emphasizes that healthcare extends beyond visible symptoms, requiring providers to understand patients’ personal narratives and cultural contexts.