University of Alabama student Emma Sophia Kay is the recipient of a fellowship award that totals $17,900. This comes with her selection as a National Association of Social Work/Council on Social Work Education Health Care Education and Leadership Scholar, also known as HEALS. Kay is one of five students nationwide to receive the award.
Kay is a four-year doctoral student who is focused on her dissertation research of HIV health and health care payer types. Her research comes from studying records of more than 3,000 patients statewide. She uses her research to analyze how it relates to clinical data as well as it’s relationship to socioeconomic background. She then sees how her findings relate to payer type, whether it be private insurance or insurance provided by the state or federal government. Kay believes the money received from the award will help in all aspects of her research.
“This research fellowship will offset research-related costs, including travel, and allow me to focus on my dissertation work over the next calendar year,” said Kay. “In addition, I will have the opportunity to meet other social work students who are interested in health-related research at a Student Policy Summit in Washington D.C.”
The summit in Washington D.C. will take place next March.
Other students at UA have taken notice of the award, and believe that this is an honor that sheds a good light on UA. Members of UA staff and administration have spoken highly of the award as well.
“UA has cultivated an excellent atmosphere of recognizing achievement both collectively and individually,” said Grayson Everett, Communications Director for SGA. “While Kay’s research fellowship may not earn her real estate on a banner, her accomplishment plays a huge role in the success of our institution’s mission.”
Kay began to focus on researching those diagnosed with HIV while working at a clinic in her hometown of Huntsville during a work placement. After this, her focus changed from children to HIV patients. Kay even co-led an intensive outpatient substance abuse program in Huntsville as well, which allowed her to develop a relationship with some of the patients.
The education of others about HIV and the health care patients receive is what drives Kay’s research. Other students have taken notice, and appreciate the effort that one of their peers is putting in towards the education of others about a particular topic.
“I believe that more students need to understand how health care works in this country,” said Carson Styles, a junior majoring in education. “I am glad that she has the means to continue educating others and advancing her research.”
Kay plans to continue working on her doctorate until she graduates in the spring of 2018. After graduating, she wishes to continue her research of HIV patients and health care policy related to them.
