About Me
Jayalasya Nagaraju
Hi, I'm Jayalasya (you can call me "Lasya"), a senior at Lambert High School with a deep passion for health equity and a strong interest in medicine. My goal is to combine community service with health education and clinical experience, especially in pediatrics. I'm dedicated to empowering children in underserved communities in Atlanta by expanding education and access to hygiene, wellness, and nutrition. Beyond my community work, I'm also involved in medical research, having authored a paper on therapeutic strategies for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
I believe every child deserves a healthy start, and I'm excited to contribute to that cause through BridgeHealthGap.com!
Lasya's Leadership Roles
2x Service Project Leader
Led 2 service projects with the PebbleTossers Teen Leadership Program, holding a spelling bee for underprivileged youth and creating over 150 supportive cards for nursing home residents.
TSA Officer
Served as a TSA Chapter Officer for 2 years (Secretary and Executive Vice President of Competition), establishing the member points system and supporting state competitors.
STEMpire Summer Camp Co-Founder
Co-founded and led a summer camp teaching elementary and middle schoolers basic STEM concepts through hands-on experiments and lessons.
My Research on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Neuro-degenerative disease in children)
I conducted in-depth research and wrote a 5000+ word research paper titled "Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Comprehensive Review". My paper was published in Vol. 13, No. 3 of the Journal of Student Research.
Lasya's Volunteering & Clinical Experiences
Northeast Georgia Health System
Volunteered in various hospital departments, interacting with patients, transporting labs, and restocking supplies
MadHatter Knits
Hand-knitted 130+ beanies for premature babies and delivered to NICU departments in hospitals around Georgia
Meals by Grace
Assisted families in need by helping them acquire essentials for the week, including food and household items
Northside Hospital Forsyth Internship
Shadowed professionals in 5 different departments, observing procedures, interacting with patients, and taking vital signs
Ivy League Pediatrics Clinic Internship
Interacted with patients, took vital signs, sorted administrative documents, and assisted nurses in charting
Crabapple Medical Clinic Shadowing
Shadowed Dr. Ramla Sharif, MD, and observed wellness checks, lab processing, and patient care
Lasya's Honors & Awards
National Merit Semifinalist
3x Gold President's Volunteer Service Award
AP Scholar with Distinction
TSA State Winner & International Qualifier
HOSA State Winner & International Finalist
Georgia Certificate of Merit
Lasya's Hobbies
Kuchipudi Dance
I have been a dancer for over 9 years and have performed in various cultural events, recitals, and competitions. I have also earned my SAMPADA certification.
Piano
I have played the piano for over 8 years, showcasing my art in annual recitals, festivals, and senior living homes. I will be completing my ABRSM certification this year and have been rated 'Superior' at the NFMC festival for 4 years.
Lasya's Media Coverage
I was recently featured on Southern Spice USA, where I explained my mission of serving vulnerable children and advocating for health equity. I also went into my initial motivation for starting this initiative, as well as my plans for the future as a healthcare professional.
I won fifth place in my age group for the Piano division of the Charleston International Music Competition for my performance of the composition "Lyric Rhapsody" by Mary Leaf. The competition's results were published on various news sites, including ABC News, AP News, and Fox News.
How can Teens get involved?
Hygiene Education
Our hygiene education initiative focuses on teaching children about the importance of personal hygiene and providing them with the necessary resources to maintain good hygiene practices.
Wellness Promotion
Through our wellness promotion programs, we aim to instill healthy habits and provide resources for underserved youth to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition Outreach
Our nutrition outreach program is designed to educate children about the importance of good nutrition and provide access to nutritious food options for underserved communities.
Community Health
We are dedicated to collaborating with local communities to expand access to health resources, advocate for wellness, and address the specific health needs of underserved children.
Wellness Kits Distribution
Our wellness kits distribution program focuses on providing essential hygiene supplies, wellness resources, and inspirational cards to underserved children in the Atlanta area.
Health Equity Expansion
We are committed to expanding access to health resources and promoting wellness among underserved children in the Atlanta area, with a focus on addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable health outcomes for all.
Upcoming Events
Wellness Within: Nurturing a Healthy MindSun, Sep 21https://meet.google.com/xbs-iwbf-ayn
Community Care Volunteers: Support Food PantriesMultiple DatesSun, Aug 10Meals By Grace (Food Pantry)
Care in Hand: Design & Contribute Health Kits for KidsMultiple DatesSat, Jul 26Jayalasya's Residence
Decoding Food Labels: What Every Parent and Teen Should KnowSun, Jul 20https://meet.google.com/uoa-puks-rnb- Decoding Food Labels: What Every Parent and Teen Should KnowSun, Jun 22https://meet.google.com/uoa-puks-rnb
Stitches of Care: Beanies for NICU BabiesSat, Jun 14Jayalasya's Residence
Blogs
