WVU exercise physiology student builds path to medicine through service

Sophia Bell wants to give back to the Morgantown community she calls home by working toward a career in medicine. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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For West Virginia University student Sophia Bell, preparing for a career in medicine has meant putting her education into practice while giving back to the community she calls home.

The Morgantown native and WVU School of Medicineexercise physiology sophomore tutors classmates in advanced STEM courses as a National Tutoring Association-certified tutor at the WVU testWELL Learning Center. She also contributes to research focused on health in rural Appalachia and holds leadership roles across campus.

In recognition of her academic excellence and leadership, she was selected to join the University's Presidential Student Ambassadors ­- students who exemplify Mountaineer values and a commitment to making a positive impact on WVU.

Sophia Bell, a sophomore WVU School of Medicine exercise physiology major (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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Initially hesitant to apply because she lacked confidence in public speaking, Bell said she's thankful she took the leap.

"I have learned so much about leadership and service as an ambassador and have had the opportunity to meet very successful students," she said. "I'm very grateful to have been chosen to represent WVU."

Bell's dedication to service also extends into clinical settings such as J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, where she has completed over 100 hours of direct patient support through the Friends of WVU Hospitals.

"I spent a lot of time volunteering at the hospital in high school, and I liked the fast-paced environment," Bell said. "I was also able to witness firsthand how healthcare professionals can have such a meaningful impact on the lives of others. I'm fascinated by the human side of medicine. I want to be the person a patient can trust in a very difficult time."

While volunteering at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Bell realized the path she wanted to take at WVU. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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Bell said that the University's emphasis on research and rural health has helped her find opportunities aligned with her goals.

"I'm a graduate of the WVU Research Apprenticeship Program and have been working as a research assistant in the WVU School of Nursing for over a year. WVU also has very strong health professions programs and an emphasis on rural health, which I am interested in. In everything I do, I am proud to give back to my community and the state of West Virginia."

Through WVU RAP, she has already co-authored a nursing research paper examining symptom burden and depression in rural Appalachian patients with heart failure.

"I began working on it during my second semester in the program - I did some writing for my poster, and my mentor thought it would be relevant to include in the paper as well," she said. "My writing was based on the survey tools our study used and how they were able to measure the patients' progression in heart failure. I was very grateful to be able to contribute to the paper, especially since this was my first research job."

Bell has co-authored a research paper examining symptom burden and depression in rural Appalachian patients with heart failure. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)

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Whether helping a classmate through a complex physics problem or contributing to research intended to improve regional health outcomes, Bell said she views her roles as interconnected pieces of a mission to support the University and the Mountain State however she can.

"When I began my journey at WVU, I dreamed of becoming a physician," Bell said. "Through the exercise physiology program, I will be able to complete all my prerequisite courses for medical school and gain clinical and research experience. I am also a WVU Mountaineer Accelerated Pathway to MD scholar, and my advisors offer guidance to make sure I am on the right track to achieve my goals. This program will make my dream of becoming a physician a reality."

-WVU-