Mary Katelin “Katie” Ball has been selected to attend the 2013 International Scholar Laureate Program Student Delegation on Medicine in Australia. A student at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), the 20-year-old hopes to “expand her mind” and examine the “fascinating” history and cultural riches of this “land down under.”
A 2012 member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Ball said she received her nomination for this trip through her participation in this organization.
“I was breathless when I found out I had been selected to go,” said Ball. “I’ll be leaving for Australia on May 24 and will stay until June 6.”
During her trip, Ball will be introduced to Australia’s universal health care system and examine the successes and challenges of administering and providing care to a nation. She will go behind the scenes at a hospital, research center or health care center to interact with medical professionals.
Ball will also take part in several activities enjoyed by tourists such as visiting renowned attractions, including the Sydney Opera House, Australia’s first European settlement and Calga Springs Sanctuary. She will also visit an indigenous animal preserve and explore the Sydney Aquarium and Manly Beach, along with Port Douglas and sail to the Great Barrier Reef.
A 2010 graduate of Harlan High School, where she was Salutatorian, Ball went on to receive a Presidential Scholarship at EKU. She has been on the President’s and Dean’s List at EKU and received the Dean’s Award in 2011. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta National Academic Honor Society and the Summer Medical and Dental Educational Program.
The daughter of Earl and Juanita Ball, of Brookside, Katie has career shadowed Drs. Robert Atkins and Carl Smith, of Harlan, and was a member of the Color Guard at EKU in 2011. She has done volunteer work in New York City, N.Y. at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis Center and mission work for the Mennonite’s Sharing With Appalachian People. Locally, she has volunteered at Christ’s Hands, the Hope Center and the Angel Tree.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so excited to have been chosen to participate in this trip,” said Ball. “My dream is to get into medical school and become a doctor. Right now, I’m leaning towards primary care — family medicine. I know we need doctors in that field and it provides a greater opportunity for having a family and a practice at the same time.”
The granddaughter of Earl Ball Sr., of Brookside, Katie said one reason she is choosing to go into primary care is so that she can “doctor grandparents and small children,” which are “close to her heart.”
“The trip will cost approximately $7,500,” said Ball. “I hope to have some fundraisers to help with my expenses.”
Anyone interested in donating funds to help Katie may contact her by email at mary_ball24@eku.edu or at P.O. Box 496, Brookside, Ky. 40801.
Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510, ext.115, nsizemore@civitasmedia.com
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