ABOUT ME
Bio
I was born in Minnesota, but a large part of my identity is shaped by my family's nomadic lifestyle. Before graduating from undergrad, I will have lived in five states and one other country. My family immigrated from Liberia, and I spent summers there growing up. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time outside, and attending musical and artistic performances.
Iresa Lincoln. July 2024 during Study Abroad. Photographed by Brianna Cooley
Education
I graduated from Maple Grove Senior High School in Maple Grove, MN, and I'm currently pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in psychology at Louisiana State University. Following my time at LSU, I'd like to attend medical school to obtain a degree in allopathic medicine.
Employment
During my undergraduate career, I worked as a behavioral technician in an applied behavioral analysis clinic, which involved working on a multidisciplinary team of registered behavior technicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. In this role, I helped to implement treatment plans to support children with autism in developing life skills such as tooth brushing, self-feeding, and parallel play. Through this role, I got my First Aid and CPR certification.
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During the Fall of 2024, I began working as a patient care assistant at a Level 1 trauma centre in Baton Rouge. My responsibilities include assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patients and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. I've recently begun training to become an emergency services technician, which will allow me to take a more active role on the care team by collecting lab samples and providing basic life support during resuscitation attempts. The roles I’ve worked in during undergrad have given me an understanding of healthcare dynamics and the social factors that affect access to healthcare.
Iresa Lincoln. May 2022. High School Senior Photos at Maple Grove Senior High School
Iresa Lincoln and Family. April 2022. Photographed at my older sister's wedding with my sisters, mother, and aunts.
Why Medicine?
My passion for medicine began in childhood, as I witnessed my grandfather navigate healthcare challenges. My grandfather began going blind when I was in elementary school, and although he lived in Liberia, he often came to the United States to seek medical treatment that was unavailable at home. Through his experiences, I gained a sense of how access to treatment and social barriers can affect individuals' healthcare. I also experienced this first during one of my trips to Liberia. I contracted malaria, and I had to travel over an hour to receive adequate medical treatment. I want to pursue medicine to have the knowledge and resources necessary to decrease gaps in healthcare access through research, clinical work, and global health mission trips.
Iresa Lincoln & Classmates after finishing CNA course. June 2024
Clinical Interests & Future Goals
During medical school, I'd like to participate in programs that aim to reduce healthcare access gaps through direct service. I am specifically interested in street medicine, which involves bringing primary care directly to unsheltered individuals. I'm also drawn to global health initiatives that involve building partnerships with healthcare providers abroad, providing them with the knowledge and materials necessary to continue providing advanced care after the visiting teams depart. The specialty I'm most interested in pursuing is pediatrics, as it allows me to continue advocating for children and their families.