Sara Lagacy ’24
Major: Health Sciences
Morton, Illinois

Why were you interested in studying Health Sciences at Butler?
I was interested in studying Health Sciences at Butler because I potentially wanted to work in direct patient care as a PA or MD. During my first year in the program, I took a class with Dr. Peak where she urged us to shadow practitioners in the field. I took this advice, shadowed PAs, and decided that PA was not my career path. I still had a passion for health sciences and helping others, so I stayed in the program and explored other careers in health care.

How did Butler prepare you for life after graduation?
Butler prepared me for life after graduation in several ways. Butler’s classes are challenging, but it pays off. The small class size helped me foster meaningful discussions in classes, which taught me better communication skills and how to collaborate with people who think differently than me. The Butler community is also strong and full of people who helped me succeed. Along with this, Butler helped me learn and refine my communication, time management, adaptability, and teamwork skills. The health sciences curriculum is rigorous. On top of being a health sciences major, I minored in data science, was a student-athlete on the dance team, was an active member of a sorority, and was participating in undergraduate research. Having a full plate at Butler taught me the importance of time management and how to prioritize different deadlines in my life (both professionally and personally). Collaboration is essential to success and Butler ensured I could collaborate effectively with others.

Which professor or faculty member influenced you the most while you were a student?
Dr. Peak—she encouraged me each step of the way and was one of my biggest cheerleaders. When I felt lost and did not know which career I wanted to pursue after graduating, she shared resources and ideas and encouraged me to remain confident in myself. Dr. Lewellyn also influenced me. She took me into her lab during the first semester of my junior year and invested time and resources into teaching me about her research and the research process. She was a tremendous mentor, always pushed me to be my best, and taught me so much. During my undergraduate research, I had the opportunity to travel to Boston with her to present research at the American Society for Cell Biology conference. This experience got me out of my comfort zone and helped to enhance my public speaking skills.

What types of internships or experiential learning opportunities did you have as a student?
I participated in undergraduate research with Dr. Lewellyn, and during the summer between my junior and senior year, I was a part of the Indy Summer Experience, led by the Center of Academic Success and Exploration (CASE). As someone who was unsure of what I wanted to pursue next, this was an amazing opportunity to hear from experienced professionals. Through this experience, I got to explore new parts of Indianapolis while networking with professionals in a variety of different fields.

What was your favorite part of being a student in Health Sciences?
My favorite part of being a student in Health Sciences was the wide array of classes I could take. The combination of technical science classes and healthcare-focused classes allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the human body and the science behind health while also learning a practical understanding of our healthcare system. This balance gave me a very well-rounded perspective on healthcare and medicine.

What advice would you give to a student interested in Health Sciences?
My advice to a student who’s interested in studying Health Sciences is to make connections throughout your experience! Connections and relationships are essential in life. Whether that is networking with alumni, getting to know your peers, or discussing with faculty, have the conversation and form a relationship with them. My experience at Butler would’ve not been the same without the amazing relationships I made along the way.