The youngest of five siblings, three of whom were adopted during the Romanian orphan crisis, Health Sciences major, Emily Wagner, is fast approaching her last semester at UCF. “Coming from out of state, I didn’t know a single person, so I joined a sorority to be part of a smaller community,” says Emily. “It was a great decision as it provided me with many opportunities to develop professionally.”
Emily’s UCF journey has included volunteering, serving in leadership positions, and working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for a senior living facility and a medical scribe at AdventHealth. Her work as a scribe and CNA played a big role in her decision to pursue a career in medicine. “Working in these positions gave me new perspectives and insights and reminded me of the importance of compassion and gratitude.”
Emily’s personal life also impacted her desire to become a physician. At a young age, Emily witnessed one of her older siblings struggles with opioid addiction. “He was prescribed opioids for back pain, but his use of this drug snowballed and led to an addiction. My brother’s eventual passing was a difficult moment for me, but it also made me realize the importance of empathy, listening, and seeing patients as people, qualities I want to embed in my practice,” says Emily.
