When it comes to wrestling with health care and economic crises and the harrowing impact both have on families, Minnesota native Julia Red Wing has become an expert by necessity. Her sister, nephews and father all suffer from debilitating health and special needs issues. As a young caregiver, she experienced firsthand the emotional, physical and economic drain.
But with the support and experiences she has had at Vanderbilt, the medicine, health and society and human and organizational development double major is using her circumstances as motivation to make an impact.
"I am passionate about fixing a health care system that should be uplifting people," she said. "My dream in life would be to end generational trauma for my family and for others. I want to be that big turning point."
HEALTH CARE WITH HEART
Red Wing's ultimate goals are to use positions in health care management to increase efficiency and fairness among underserved, rural, Indigenous and low-income populations. And she's already doing that with an internship-turned-job as a project coordinator for Covalus Consulting, a company that specializes in opening hospitals.
"Julia has seen firsthand how systems in our country make it challenging for those with limited health literacy or access to reach their full potential. She has known since she walked onto the Vanderbilt campus exactly what her purpose would be. Thus, she has brought together the fields of medicine, sociology and organizational development as a way to understand, harness and mobilize the human capital needed to change the health care system for vulnerable groups," said Jessika Boles, assistant professor of the practice of psychological sciences.
UNDERSTANDING THROUGH RESEARCH
Red Wing found inspiring research projects to further her goals in the CHILL Lab-Children's Healthcare, Illness, Legacy and Loss-run by Boles, as well as the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Summer Research Program.
"I told Dr. Boles I wanted to help kids like my nephew, who have PTSD from so much time in the health care system. She taught me about pediatric medical traumatic stress, which is a form of diagnosed PTSD, and that's what I focused my summer research on," Red Wing said.
CONNECTING WITH HER HERITAGE
Boles also helped Red Wing outside the lab, by giving her a space to connect with her Native American heritage.
"My grandfather was a Santee Sioux and the first generation to live off a reservation, and my grandma is Guatemalan. I'm very thankful to hold on to both of their cultures because they represent past figures, past generations in my family's lineage of people who fought for freedom, people who fought for a better life. And that's everything I stand for," said Red Wing, who has also been a resident adviser at Vanderbilt for three years. "I wake up and I work 12-hour days normally, because that's what Red Wings do."
Red Wing said Boles gave her a supportive environment to explore her roots.
"Talking with Dr. Boles was the first time I connected with someone about my Native American heritage because she has studied Native American religions, and she was the first person that was just so excited to hear my story."
Red Wing became active in Vanderbilt's Indigenous Scholars organization and danced in Café con Leche to honor her Guatemalan side. She also earned a prestigious Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship that helped her learn about other cultures through a study abroad program across South Africa, Spain, and Italy.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Red Wing openly talks about having "imposter syndrome" when coming to Vanderbilt, and she credits the Student Care Network and University Counseling Center for helping her throughout her college experience.
"If I could talk to my younger self, I would say that it's okay to acknowledge the difficulties you face and to not be afraid to show both the light and dark aspects of who you are," she said. "I used to think that pushing my struggles aside would help me find happiness and would pave the path of success, but I've learned that growth comes from vulnerability and stepping outside of your comfort zone and then working hard. That ultimately led to my healing process."
Red Wing believes her Vanderbilt experience changed her life for the better.
"Vanderbilt is a safe place for transformation-a place where you're not just prepared for a career, but for a life of purpose, service and connection," she said. "And that's what makes Vanderbilt so special to me. They were able to help me toward the future I've always been fighting for."
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