Beverly Apodaca – May 2015 Scholar of the Month
2014 CHCI-United Health Foundation Scholar-Intern
Hometown: Bernalillo, New Mexico
School: University of New Mexico
Major: Masters in Occupational Therapy
Placement: American Lung Association, New Mexico
Beverly Apodaca was in raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico by her mother, grandparents, and a close family friend, where she learned the importance of excelling in school and life.
Beverly earned her bachelor’s of science in health education with a concentration in community health and psychology, graduating with honors and receiving an award for most outstanding student in her class. She takes her academic work seriously and has spent four consecutive years on the dean’s list. Beverly is currently pursuing her master’s in occupational therapy at The University of New Mexico. Having a long-standing passion for fitness and health, she plans to use her knowledge and experience to help others succeed, improve their lives, and adapt to environments for success.
Beverly has often been praised for her “can do” attitude. She knows how to work hard, work smart, and always keep a positive outlook. She currently volunteers at the Open Airways for School Program, where she teaches students how to manage their asthma. She is also an administrator for the New Mexico Asthma Coalition, active NM Heart Start Facilitator, CPR instructor, and event facilitator. Beverly serves as the fundraising chair for the Student Occupational Therapy Association at UNM. When time allows, she also spends her weekends cleaning the streets of Albuquerque as a volunteer with the Designated Drivers on Demand program.
Beverly is known for her leadership skills. She is an active supporter of The Circus, a local Occupational Therapy initiative where she has designed the webpage, led social media efforts, and managed the art gallery housed inside the office. Furthermore, Beverly has participated in Junior League of Albuquerque (JLA) with the goal of influencing young girls around her to make a difference in their community, and someday assist in linking them to an organization that can allow them to show their leadership skills.
As a CHCI-United Health Foundation Scholar, Beverly completed her internship at the American Lung Association in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Beverly’s placement assignments allowed for variety of experiences and professional development opportunities from teaching children how to self manage their asthma, to nonprofit fundraising for lung disease, to event planning.
Beverly’s future goals are to become a practicing Occupational Therapist and integrate her love of health education and program planning by creating lifestyle redesigns for those who are facing challenges with their current health conditions or physical or mental disabilities. She wants to be able to spend her time involved in her community, and plans to bring her practice to where it’s greatly needed in Albuquerque.
Beverly is thankful for the opportunity to be a CHCI Scholar-Intern because she is able to focus on her much-loved volunteer work while having the ability and time to focus on the value of her education. She appreciates having the opportunity to intern for such an impactful organization, and is grateful for the support that CHCI has given her throughout her graduate education.