Kate Scaggs
ePortfolio
Bio
Hello! My name is Kate Scaggs. I am currently a senior at IUPUI! I'm an online student majoring in Health Sciences. I put a lot of effort into both my studies and my career, and I possess many positive traits such as grit, compassion, quick learning, and a strong sense of motivation, so when I set my mind to something, I give it everything I have and I don't give up. I have a strong and growing desire to learn new things and for assisting others in their development as well. I have ambitions to work as a personal trainer when I graduate given that I fell in love with staying physically active every day and have developed an intense drive for inspiring others to do the same!
Future Ambitions
College Experience:
Although it was initially outside of my comfort zone, I have enjoyed my time in college so far and believe that it has helped me progress and develop not only as a person but also as a student and a professional. I have had many life experiences in University that have taught me how to properly handle myself each and every time I am faced with a difficult situation, as well as how to persevere professionally. I have also learned in college how to successfully and thoughtfully arrange my time each day. All of these components surrounding my University experience have made it possible for me to succeed every day and be my best self. I have more ambition and want to learn more life skills such as handling money appropriately and how to network with business owners.
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Goals:
One personal goal I have for myself is to finish out the fall semester with all A's in each of my courses. An academic goal I have for myself is to graduate with a Health Science Major, and Minor in Kinesiology. A career goal I plan on achieving is to become a personal trainer at a local gym in Indianapolis!
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Looking Back at my Goals from Earlier in the Semester:
Seeing my academic goals and career goals from earlier in the semester I can say that a lot has changed. I can proudly say that I have continued to maintain a good GPA as well as keep A’s in all of my courses for this semester. I have been very disciplined with writing in my daily planner to keep myself on track and trying to get all of my work done early in the week. As for my career goals, I had stated that I had hoped to get into personal training eventually. I have been consistently going to a local gym and have been in contact with multiple personal trainers who work there. They have been helping me a lot and giving me tips about the profession. I was actually offered a job at the gym, and I have been working there since September. I really love the environment and how everyone is super supportive of my academic life as well as my aspiration to even be a personal trainer.
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This semester I have learned a lot, I have learned how to keep myself organized, manage my time, and be disciplined. I would say that some of my strengths are staying on track and getting my work for all of my courses done in a timely manner. An example of this would be for one of my more demanding courses this semester, Medical Terminology, I was nervous about the upcoming midterm. I knew I had to spend a couple of hours every day for the weeks leading up to it. I was able to get my work done from my other courses early in the week so that I could spend three hours every day Tuesday through Friday studying the material. Â I ended up getting a 95%! Some of my weaknesses include getting easily distracted by environmental factors such as my phone and friends. However, I am able to overcome these obstacles by going to a quiet room in my house and turning on my do not disturb mode on my phone. One big lesson that I have learned this semester is that I can do anything, if I plan accordingly and take time out of my schedule to work on it. I had struggled my previous year with going to class, staying organized, and time management. I feel what changed it was writing in my planner every day. I am able to see what work I have to do for the upcoming week, I am able to prioritize what I need to and get smaller assignments out of the way to focus on them. I can use this lesson throughout my life to continue to be a good employee and a reliable person. One piece of advice I would give myself for next semester is to continue to write in my planner every day and prioritize school instead of work.
H362: Legal & Regulatory Aspects in Rehab. Organizations
Information Learned:
I learned a lot about the real-world application of maternal and child health-related initiatives whilst conducting the Agency report on the "My Healthy Baby" report. Additionally, I discovered how crucial legislative support is to improving the health outcomes for expecting mothers as well as  infants. This method brought to light the difficulties and achievements of state health initiatives, as well as the ongoing requirement for assessment and modification. In order to accomplish public health objectives, this project highlighted the importance of cooperation between governmental bodies, neighborhood associations, and healthcare facilities and providers.
H365: Diversity Issues in Health& Rehabilitation Servives
"Final Exam"
Information Learned:
Within the first couple of weeks into this course I feel as though I have gained a deeper understanding of the critical role diversity plays in the healthcare field. I have learned about the different dimensions of diversity, including race, gender, ethnicity, as well as socioeconomic status, and how each of these elements influence health outcomes along with access. This course has also done a good job at highlighting the importance of cultural competence in providing equitable health related services.
Grow Your Vision
HLSC-H445: Implementation & Evaluation in Health Sciences and Rehabilitation
The transition to college life often brings significant challenges, including increased academic pressure, social adjustments, as well as financial stress. All of these factors contribute to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and reduced overall well-being among college students. My hypothetical program aims to address these challenges by fostering a culture of physical activity on college campuses to enhance mental and physical health outcomes.
My program is specifically designed for college students, as this population often struggles with balancing academic and personal responsibilities, sometimes leading to a decline in their well-being.
This program targets the mental health challenges that are very much prevalent among college students, particularly anxiety and depression. Many studies have shown the correlation that occurs with physical activity and depression/ anxiety rates.
Being physically active in any community, but more specifically college students, promotes better well-being by improving physical health, enhancing cardiovascular fitness, and strengthening muscles, all while also boosting your immune system. It can also positively affect mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, and depression, and improving moods. Regular physical activity releases endorphins and can help enhance sleep quality while increasing energy levels, all of which contribute to your well-being.
Some of the expected outcomes of my program include increased physical activity levels, improved mental health, enhanced academic performance, as well as better community engagement.
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Developing a needs assessment for my hypothetical program allowed me to deepen my understanding of the critical steps that are involved in creating effective health promotion initiatives. This specific assessment taught me the importance of identifying a target populations specific challenges, understanding the factors that contribute to their health behaviors, and using evidence-based strategies to address their needs. I also learned how to assess and analyze data and identify gaps in health outcomes, which helped me in tailoring my program to address the specific needs of college students. Additionally, this process emphasized the value of setting measurable goals as well as aligning interventions with desired outcomes. Overall, this assignment helped me apply course concepts to real-world scenarios.
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When I was developing a program budget for my hypothetical health promotion program it provided valuable insight into the practical considerations of implementing an initiative. This assignment helped me understand the importance of allocating resources effectively, estimating costs for program activities, and identifying potential funding sources to ensure sustainability. I learned how to prioritize spending based on program goals and how to make adjustments to stay within financial constraints while maintaining program quality. Furthermore, this assignment highlighted the role of financial planning and maximizing the programs impact. Lastly, creating the budget allowed me to apply course concepts to my real-life scenario, deepening my app.
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Creating a logic model for my fictitious health promotion program was an interesting learning opportunity that helped enhance my understanding of program design and assessment. I learned how to precisely identify the inputs, actions, outputs, and intended results that are required to meet the objectives of my program from this assignment. By organizing these elements, I was able to develop an organized framework that connects resources to measurable results, thus, making it easier to monitor the process and identify any gaps. The logic model's construction also emphasizes how crucial it is to match short-, intermediate-, and long-term objectives in order to support the program's success. I was able to further apply course principles practically with this task, which reinforced the importance of logic models as tools for both designing and evaluating public health programs.
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Designing an evaluation plan for my hypothetical health promotion program made it apparent to me how crucial it is to gauge program efficacy as well as maintain responsibility. I also learned how to set specific objectives, determine quantifiable results, and choose suitable techniques for data collection and analysis from this assignment. In order to evaluate both immediate and long-term effects, it highlights the necessity of matching evaluation techniques with program objectives. Overall, developing an evaluation plan reinforced important course topics and offered useful insight into how to monitor progress and make data-driven improvements.
HLSC-H440: Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disability
Creating the ignite presentation on epilepsy particularly focusing on epilepsy in children has been a very educational and challenging experience. I had to combine intricate knowledge on the various kinds of seizures, their impacts on children's lives, and the services that are accessible into brief talking points for this assignment. I learned the importance of clear communication and brevity especially in high pressure format like an ignite presentation. during the research on this topic broadened my understanding of epilepsy not just as a medical condition but also as a social issue that affects education, family Dynamics as well as mental health. This assignment also highlighted the necessity of education and networks of support for kids and their families.
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Additionally, this assignment highlighted the role of public policy as well as Community Resources in fostering inclusion and access to care. I now know more about how laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act help people with epilepsy in their day-to-day lives. I will use these abilities in both my academic work and future employment because this assignment has enhanced my capacity to communicate information, carry out in-depth research, and critically consider the wider societal implications of health issues.
Career Goals:
After I graduate, my goal is to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry, where I can help others improve their well-being through movement and exercise. I hope to find a job that aligns with my passion for health and wellness, allowing me to make an impact on those around me. However, my dream job is to become a certified pilates or yoga instructor.
Career Vision:
My vision for my career is to establish myself in a health and fitness industry, where I can help other find their love for physical activity. To reach this goal, I plan to gain hands-on experience in a fitness-related job after graduation, allowing me to deepen my knowledge and skills of the industry. Long-term, I aim to become a Pilates or yoga instructor, that will combine my passion for being physically active and my desire to help others towards their goals.
Steps I Still Need to Take:
To make this vision of mine a reality, I need to gain more hands-on experience, build a strong network, and obtain the necessary certification. More Specifically, I plan to get my certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Unique Qualifications:
I am uniquely qualified to reach there goals due to my dedication to both physical fitness and helping other find joy in movement. My background in artistic and creative.. allows me to approach fitness in an engaging way, making my workouts both effective and fun. Additionally, I have built a few connections in the industry, including my instructor from the Performance and Teaching of Cardiovascular and Resistance Training course, who offered to provide guidance on entering this field. My short-term goals include actively searching for a fitness-related job to further gain experience and working with clients. As for my long-term goal, I will become a certified instructor, either in yoga or pilates. To achieve this goal I will complete my NASM certification, continue to expand my knowledge, and gain experience.
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Skills Gained in Research Methodology (Health & Rehabilitation Science):
Understanding Research Basics -Learned the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods and designs -Explored and learned how to design research studies and to properly frame questions Evaluating Research -Gained skills in spotting and preventing potential bias -Gained skills in identifying strong vs. weak evidence -Learned how to evaluate when research is trustworthy and useful
Capstone Reflection-
My Health Sciences Journey
As I am nearing the end of my Health Sciences Capstone Course, I have had some time to reflect on how much I have truly grown, both personally and professionally. When I first started, I had a general interest in healthcare, however, I don't believe I had fully grasped just how complex this field is. Looking back, now, I see health science as merely a portion of the field that includes science, people, policies, as well as community. This program has definitely taught me that being a health service professional is about understanding disparities, advocating for all patients, and approaching each patient with empathy and humility.
Learning Journey
During the beginning of this program, I only had a surface-level knowledge of various health systems and health issues. However, as time went on, I have developed a much deeper understanding of how factors such as social determinants of health, policies, as well as behavior theories can all contribute and affect outcomes related to health. While learning about different disparities and cultural competence, I also felt more drawn to this field. It changed how I view equity in care. Courses I have taken throughout my time here gave me a strong foundational framework to think critically about healthcare.
Skill Development
Not only have I grown as a person, I have also grown as a communicator, problem solver, as well as my adaptability to handle complex situations. For example, I have improved my ability to present complex and in-depth information clearly and concisely, either through presentations, group projects, or essays. This capstone course however, has helped me further refine these skills, especially through research-based assignments. I learned how to properly breakdown and analyze health issues, analyze data, and communicate my findings in a structured and professional way. I believe that my problem-solving skills is my strongest skill I have adapted. As I have worked through multiple case studies and had to challenge myself to come up with potential interventions.
Challenges and Triumphs
One major challenge I faced while completing this program was trying to balance coursework with my personal responsibilities. There were Definity weeks where trying to manage my deadlines while also dealing with life outside of school felt almost too overwhelming. I worked hard to overcome these moments by reaching out to professors or TA's when needed, and using my support system to my advantage. Additionally, I also struggled trying to balance out my time with work and school, but overtime I found a schedule that worked best and overcame the challenge.
Impact on Career Goals
This capstone course has reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career focused on limiting or reducing health disparities and improving access to healthcare. I have become especially interested in roles that involve education, policy, and fitness. I feel more confident about my decision, and it was rewarding.
Future Application
I plan to one day apply all that I have learned, from theoretical models to real-world applications in healthcare settings. Whether it involves advocating for policy changes, working with underserved communities, or even continuing my education, I want to be a voice for meaningful change. My next steps will involve looking for opportunities in the health field. I will also continue to learn and stay educated by looking into healthcare trends, issues, and reflecting on how I could contribute. My time here has been more than just getting a degree, it has been a journey of growth, purpose, and clarity.
THANK YOU !
