Meet the 2023-24 UTHealthLeads McGovern Medical School fellows
UTHealthLeads is a one-year student fellowship program to develop future leaders in health care.
In the program, UTHealth Houston students learn how to develop self-awareness, increase their leadership confidence, lead others, and effectively influence systems.
A total of 23 UTHealth Houston students make up this year’s cohort. They will be provided opportunities to network with leaders, develop fundamental skills, and commit to actions to continue their growth.
Meet the 2023-24 UTHealthLeads fellows at McGovern Medical School:
Priscilla Haff
Haff is a student at McGovern Medical School. A native of San Antonio, Haff received her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University.
What brought you to medical school?
I was drawn to medicine because I’ve been personally impacted by physicians for the entirety of my life. I want to have the opportunity to make the same impact on students and people in the future. Working at the medical school allowed me the opportunity to experience the importance of patient care and to learn how physicians can profoundly change a patient’s life. I believe that medicine will allow me to be there for people on their worst of days — to inevitably lift them up so they can reach their best days.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I hope to come into myself as a leader. I want to enhance my knowledge of effective leadership and gain confidence in myself. I also hope to positively affect students around me. While learning from them, I hope to also impart some of my own pearls (of wisdom) that will help later in their careers. This program is special because not only are we learning how to be more effective leaders, but we are also given the opportunity to interact with high-achieving students and learn from them and their stories.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I hope to be done with residency and happy in my career. I’m not completely sure where that will be or what that means, but medicine is what makes me happy, and I feel exceedingly privileged to get to practice as a doctor for the rest of my life. No matter my specialty, residency, or location, in 10 years I hope to be constantly learning from the people around me and embracing the amazing culture of medicine that I have been granted the chance to be a part of.
Elizabeth Harris
Harris is a student at McGovern Medical School. A native of Liberty, Texas, Harris received her Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University. She enjoys spending time with her family and being outside.
What brought you to medical school?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a doctor. I’m fascinated at how the human body is so intricately connected and relies heavily on so many different things functioning in unison.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I hope to walk away from this experience with new skills to help me effectively and compassionately lead others.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I hope to be a competent physician who listens intently to patients, ensures that patient care is a top priority, and creates a welcoming environment. My current interests are pediatric cardiology and obstetrics/gynecology.
Gabriella Miggins
Miggins is a fourth-year MD/MPH student at McGovern Medical School. A Houston native, Miggins is interested in geriatric psychiatry, psychotherapy, and narrative medicine. She attended Washington and Lee University, where she studied American history and poverty. In her free time, she enjoys curating Spotify playlists, cheering on the Tarheels volleyball team, and wrangling a cabin of 7-year-old girls at summer camp.
What brought you to medical school?
I’ve had a lifelong desire to pursue psychiatry. I hope to use these skills to bring connection and healing to my patients.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I’m hoping to gain confidence and competency in the ways I step forward into leadership — especially during the next four years of my psychiatry residency.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I hope to be an attending psychiatrist at an academic hospital and the director of a psychiatry clerkship program.
Hallie Wilson
Wilson is a student at McGovern Medical School. A native of Sugar Land, Wilson received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Southern Methodist University, where she was also a student athlete competing on the women’s rowing team. When not in school, Wilson enjoys spending time running outdoors, hanging out with friends and family, and cooking.
What brought you to medical school?
I want to be a doctor because I have a passion for science and a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. I decided to come to McGovern to pursue my medical degree because of the incredible diversity, opportunity, and supportive community that made me feel at home.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I aspire to enhance my communication skills and refine my strategic thinking to be an effective leader in the field of medicine.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I want to be a working physician in Houston giving back to my community, teaching medical students, and pursuing research in my field of study.