Hi! My name is Matt Reasor and I’m a recent Colby College graduate from Clarksville, TN. I’m inspired to advance my understanding of the healthcare system to better advocate for individuals with serious illness and help mobilize and empower the communities that support them.
I’m a firm believer in always keeping patient autonomy at the forefront of conversations and decisions made on healthcare. The best way to truly understand the needs of an individual and their community is to be intentional and meet them where they are. This speaks to the importance of palliative care, as care plans should be catered to best support the entirety of a patient’s needs.
As an undergraduate student at Colby College, I was thankful to have a platform to advocate for the health and wellness needs of the student body. Through my work with Student Health on Campus (SHOC) and the Healthy Colby Residential Program, I collaborated with like-minded students and members of administration to survey students, plan and execute events, and share resources to help inform students on health-related topics. Along with these roles, I was a member of the Colby College baseball team and the Colby Eight acapella group, as well as a volunteer with the Colby Cares About Kids (CCAK) Mentorship program.
Having had loved one’s who have lived with serious illnesses such as Dementia and Parkinson’s disease, I recognize the impact these illnesses can have on an individual and their support systems. Their experiences are a driving factor for my academic and career interests and what motivates me to help transform advanced care. At Colby, I studied Psychology and Anthropology, focusing on courses that helped me better understand the basis for neurodegenerative diseases and other advanced illnesses, as well as how healthcare and health related topics are approached across cultural and social boundaries. I’m excited to continue to educate myself on these topics and apply that knowledge to become a better advocate.
I care deeply about supporting the health and wellness needs of vulnerable and underserved communities, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to intern with C-TAC and work toward that shared goal. I look forward to using this internship and my career as a platform to help transform healthcare and create a better future for those affected by serious illnesses.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and why I’m so passionate about this field! If you’d like to connect with me, you can reach me at mreasor@thectac.org or on LinkedIn.
Written by: Matt Reasor, C-TAC Partnerships & Programs Intern
