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Former U.S. Marine to pursue career in global health
December 15, 2011
A medical missions trip took Kirby Lattwein to Cambodia
where she worked in remote villages.
Meet Kirby Lattwein: Future physician and humanitarian.
Before pursuing an undergraduate degree in exercise science at the Arnold School of Public Health, Lattwein served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 -2007. She was deployed to Iraq, where she was an intelligence analyst and also served with an infantry unit. After earning numerous medals and two meritorious promotions, Lattwein left the Marines as a corporal. She studied at the U.S. Naval Academy for two years before transferring to USC's Arnold School, where she has conducted colon cancer research as a Magellan Scholar.
Lattwein, who is from Rock Hill, knows her future is in global health. On a medical mission trip to Cambodia in the summer of 2011, Lattwein worked with a medical team to provide primary medical care to children and adults. She even assisted with surgeries and delivering babies. "It's amazing how much we could do with so little," she said. "We had a chance to help people in need, people who appreciated what we could do for them. The experience helped me know this is what I want to do with my life."
Lattwein is leaving in January to pursue a master's degree in global health from Maastrict University in the Netherlands. The university is renowned for its program in international healthcare.
She has received a Carolina Global Study Scholarship, made possible by the John and Dodie Knight Study Abroad Award. A graduate of USC, John Knight chose to help make study abroad education a reality for as many Carolina students as possible. A generous donation from the Knight family has helped to establish this new award, which is valued at $2,000.
The Arnold School has enabled her to have a strong educational foundation for her future, Lattwein said.
"The faculty have provided the guidance and support that I've needed. I will always be grateful to them."
After completing her master's degree, Lattwein plans to attend medical school and pursue a career that links public health and medicine.
"Global health hinges on our ability to open our minds and hearts to different things and people, to work as a team regardless of cultural, economic, or educational differences," she said.
"We are united with the same overall goal of improving people's health everywhere."
