Selina Ram

Compassionate and driven, with experience supporting patients and communities, strong communication skills, and a solid background in health and genetics. Skilled in empathetic listening and explaining complex medical information, aiming to empower individuals to make informed decisions in genetic counseling.

Patient Care Representative at Tampa General Hospital: 

• Provided post-hospitalization support and liaison services for patients and families, Assisted non-English speaking patients using bilingual resources

Surgical ICU Volunteer at Tampa General Hospital: 

• Maintained sterile environments and provided emotional support to patients/families

NICU Volunteer at Advent Health: 

• Prepared patient rooms, organized supplies, and supported families of NICU infants

Volunteer Counselor at Crisis Text Line: 

• Volunteered to provide real-time text support to individuals going through emotional crises, including situations involving suicide, self-harm, and severe anxiety. Listened empathetically and helped texters explore coping strategies, connect with resources, and stay safe.
• Maintained confidentiality and followed safety protocols while navigating challenging and high-stakes conversations. Strengthened my ability to provide compassionate, patient-centered support in emotionally difficult situations.

Various Community Organizations: 

• Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Hope for the Homeless, Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries

• Shadowed USF genetic counselors, gaining hands-on experience constructing three-generation pedigrees and collecting detailed personal and family medical histories.
• Observed patient sessions, learning how complex genetic information, testing options, and recurrence risks are communicated clearly and compassionately.
• Witnessed counseling for sensitive diagnoses, gaining appreciation for addressing emotional, social, and ethical considerations while supporting patients and families.
• Gained insight into the collaborative work between genetic counselors, physicians, and other healthcare team members in providing comprehensive care.
• Rotated through diverse clinical settings, including pediatric and adult clinics, to understand different approaches to testing, risk assessment, and patient care.
• These experiences reinforced my commitment to empathetic, patient-centered genetic counseling and strengthened my passion for guiding individuals through complex healthcare decisions.