Meet Grace
Grace is a community leader working to enable those without traditional access to health insurance, education, and resources to receive quality care.
"I want to make a real difference in helping others through my medical skills. I am very interested in supporting vulnerable communities, such as immigrants who have difficulty getting medical benefits. One colleague collapsed due to a sudden increase in blood pressure but she did not want us to call 911 because she had no health insurance. I gave her first aid using a technique I learned in class, and she began to recover.
When I saw her at that time, I remembered how North Korean defectors escaped and spent their time in China anxious because they could not go to the hospital and receive proper medical treatment. These memories make me study harder and develop a desire in me to help people in need with my medical skills."
– Grace
[Note: Given the sensitive nature of revealing personally identifiable information, the accompanying image was submitted by the RISE Scholar to represent herself.]
Story
As a young student in Pyongyang, Grace participated on a temporary farm duty that allowed her to visit rural regions of North Korea. Even now, emotions sweep through her as she recalls what she witnessed and the incredible suffering faced by those she met. Raised among the privileged class, Grace was able to receive a medical education in North Korea but risked escape to broaden her experiences and someday make a bigger impact in the lives of the people in her homeland.
Grace’s passion and unflinching determination kept her focused through every hardship and continues to fuel her desire to not only practice medicine, but to enable those without traditional access to health insurance, education, and resources to receive quality care. While she already has some training in Western medicine techniques, she is now attending school to train in acupuncture and the Eastern medical tradition.
Although her vision is to someday return to an open North Korea and assist those in need there, Grace is already putting her skills and convictions to action. Grace is currently serving the North Korean refugee community in her local area, working at a daycare for the elderly and helping other low-income and immigrant communities where she lives.
Grace is taking steps to:
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open a free clinic to provide basic services and support, as well as health education programs for immigrant and low-income families,
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build a cooperative network with healthcare organizations and nonprofits to serve those in need in their locale,
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and expand Medicare/Medicaid coverage for acupuncture treatments that can offer much more effective and cost-saving methods for certain ailments, with fewer long-term side effects and dependencies.
Grace is a leader in her community with a clear vision for how she will make a difference. She is already making a positive impact in the lives around her, and it is clear that she will contribute to a better and healthier future for any community she is a part of.
Journey with Grace on her unwavering mission to bring healthcare and healing to those in need.
How Your Contribution Helps
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Tuition Assistance: Your gift helps RISE Scholars more fully dedicate themselves to their studies by alleviating some financial burdens and responsibilities.
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Books, Transportation, Rent, Fees, and Meals: Your gift helps to support the numerous other costs associated with daily life and health. Many refugees are on their own, without family or a robust community support system to lean on.
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Encouragement: Your gift is deeply encouraging to our RISE Scholars receiving your support. The hope and confidence they gain as others come together to support them on their journeys is an immeasurable blessing.
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Prayer: Your prayer support throughout the school year will help to provide care, protection, comfort, guidance, and open doors beyond any human control!
