Hannia Mendez 

Congressional Intern, Presented by Amgen 

Hometown: Brownsville, Texas 

School: New York University 

Major: Global Public Health 

Placement: The Office of Rep. Raul Ruiz 

Hannia was born in Brownsville, Texas, shortly after her parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States. After four months, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Hannia was raised and lived for 14 years. At the age of 15, Hannia and her family lived in Durango, Mexico for a year before re-establishing themselves in Brownsville, Texas.  

During high school, Hannia served her community by administering vaccinations to those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and becoming a Certified Medical Assistant. These experiences ignited her passion for healthcare and highlighted the need for a holistic approach to consider societal factors impacting individuals’ health. 

Hannia is currently on the pre-medical path at New York University, where she is working on her degree in Global Public Health and Sociology, with a minor in Chemistry. To continue her commitment to addressing disparities, Hannia works as a tutor through the NYC Reading Partners, an organization improving reading and comprehension skills of elementary students in marginalized communities. Additionally, she is the fundraising chair for VAW Global Health Alliance, which fosters global connections to improve healthcare in impoverished areas. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Hannia aims to attend medical school, ultimately pursuing a career as a pediatric neurologist.  

With CHCI, Hannia hopes to understand how legislative action could implement policies to diminish health disparities among marginalized communities in the U.S. She aims to utilize the knowledge learned through this experience to advocate for a more inclusive healthcare, benefiting both patients and aspiring medical professionals.