Madison Lamar believes in a healthy way of life. From serving as a personal trainer at the Ramsey Student Center, to working on public health issues with UGA’s Archway Partnership, to researching with a gerontologist in the department of child and family development, Madison has chosen to dedicate herself to primary health care and education for all.
Hometown:
Camilla
High School:
Westwood School
Degree objective:
B.S. in human development and family studies, minor in public health
Expected graduation:
Spring 2013
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
My time at the University of Georgia has been a blessing. Athletics brought me to this great school back in 2008. As a pole vaulter for the UGA track and field team, I experienced NCAA Division I athletics. What an experience it was! It is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life. After retiring early from pole vaulting, I found that UGA provided a diverse array of opportunities. Among these opportunities was studying abroad in Costa Rica and participating in a medical mission trip to Peru through UGA’s Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children. This mission trip opened the door for me to become director of operations for the FIMRC this past year.
I continued to pursue athletic endeavors by becoming a personal trainer at the Ramsey Student Center. I had the special opportunity of being the preceptor for Ramsey’s own version of “The Biggest Loser.” This experience definitively shaped the direction i would take in the future and served to fuel my passion of educating others on how important a healthy lifestyle is.
My passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle also led me to the Archway Partnership, all made possible through UGA’s Public Service and Outreach Scholars program. Since August 2011, I have served as the Archway Partnerships intern. The Archway Partnership is an outreach platform facilitated by UGA that delivers a full range of higher education resources to address economic and community development. I am fortunate to be working with Matt Bishop and Laura Gillman on public health issues in Pulaski and Sumter counties. Unbeknownst to me, two summers previous, I had worked in Colquitt County at a Migrant Health Care Clinic that was also was a part of the Archway Partnership. Through this program, migrant health care workers were able to receive much needed basic health care.
My latest endeavor will be providing research assistance to Denise Lewis, who is a gerontologist in the department of child and family development at UGA.
Other achievements that I have accomplished while at UGA include UGA Student of the Week 2011, UGA Personal Trainer of the Year 2011, SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll 2008, SEC Academic Honor Roll 2009, and Public Service and Outreach Scholar 2011-2012.
Current Employment:
personal trainer at the Ramsey Center Student Center.
Family Ties to UGA:
My twin sister just graduated in May with a bachelor of arts in English. My mom and aunt received their bachelor degrees here as well.
I chose to attend UGA because…
UGA is Georgia’s flagship university and with this comes the best and most diverse opportunities.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
going to boxing classes at Ramsey, running trails at the intramural fields and riding my moped around campus.
When I have free time, I like…
getting outside. Paddling the Broad River is a favorite past-time of mine and enjoying some great bar-be-cue on the top of the Georgia Theatre is not so bad either.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
go to a foreign country on a medical mission alone. During winter break 2011-2012, I headed to Peru to do some pediatric volunteer work at a few of the medical clinics in rural Peru. I flew in all alone and took an overnight bus to where I would be working for the next few weeks. It was scary but awesome at the same time. I would not recommend traveling alone to Peru, but I do recommend the surfing there.
My favorite place to study is…
my red couch at my apartment. Many a subject has been studied on that couch.
My favorite professor is…
Denise Lewis. She is one phenomenal lady. As a gerontologist, she is passionate about what she does, and it shows. You cannot help but be inspired by her. The foundation of her classes is built on respect, not only for herself but also for others. She also places emphasis on individual self worth. People matter, regardless of age, gender or social status.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
Corrie ten Boom. She was an amazing lady with a huge heart. She embodied pure, sacrificial love. She put her life on the line for others, which I truly admire and respect. Throughout her harrowing ordeal, she kept her faith, and she has been an inspiration and example for people decades later.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
figure out how to stop the epidemic of obesity our nation is facing, especially in children. This would substantially lower health care costs as well, because if you take obesity out of the picture, you have less health problems, bottom line. Chronic obesity-related health problems would be an issue of the past.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
make healthy lifestyles affordable and available for everyone. Healthy food and access to healthy activities and facilities that promote active lifestyles can be expensive and are not readily available in many rural and inner city areas.
After graduation, I plan to…
become some type of primary care practitioner: a physician, a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner. The fusion of being able to offer primary care and provide health education is the summation of what my passions encompass.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
sitting in Sanford Stadium watching my twin sister graduate recently. I looked back over the last four years that we shared together and couldn’t help but be flooded with emotions and memories. It made me realize we both were a part of something much greater than ourselves. The richness and history of this university, coupled with its community involvement, stellar academics and award-winning athletic programs make it the perfect place to be.