Anna Shepard

Anna Shepard is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Medical Sciences with a Public Health minor and Integrative Health minor. She joined the University of Cincinnati as a member of the University Honors Program.

Anna is committed to advancing health equity and access to education and care by addressing systemic barriers faced by historically marginalized and medically underserved communities both domestically and abroad.

Anna researched at the European CDC, WHO, and National Institute of Public Health in Ljubljana, Slovenia during the summer of 2022 as a American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF) Junior Fellow. During her research fellowship she worked on various initiatives regarding COVID-19 and rural health. In the summer of 2024, Anna studied in Germany to investigate diverse healthcare systems and maternal and infant health disparities. She currently works with the American Heart Association and Cradle Cincinnati, a non-profit organization focused on reducing infant mortality and racial health inequalities in Hamilton County, Ohio, where she supports Black birthing people through weekly nutrition and culinary education workshops, developing educational materials, and leading a social media campaign aimed at expanding access to information and resources.

On campus, Anna supports first-year student success as a Peer Leader and Content Review Leader at the UC Learning Commons. She also served as Education Chair for Remote Area Medical, a non-profit organization providing free pop-up health clinics to rural populations, and led as Co-President for College Companions, a service-based organization fostering social support for the elderly.

At graduation, Anna was awarded the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence. She plans to pursue an MD/MPH with a focus on driving systemic change through policy and program development and implementation, aiming to expand access to education and healthcare for marginalized populations both locally and globally.

Outside of academics, Anna enjoys spending time with her family (she is the middle child of eight!), friends, and dogs. She enjoys being active through hiking, cycling, tennis, pickleball, and golf. She is also an avid reader and has a passion for exploring new places.