University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagle Alumni in Healthcare Spotlight: Sarah Bell
6/26/2020 9:25:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Athletics is thankful for healthcare personnel serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. This serves as the sixth installment of features with former student-athletes who are in the medical field. This week's spotlight is on Sarah Bell, who starred on the volleyball court from 2015-18.
Bell, a native of San Antonio, Texas, holds the school's all-time assists record with 5,251. She earned First-Team Conference USA honors three times and was named a Google Cloud Academic All-American as a senior. Bell is currently enrolled in the physician assistant program at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.
What are some of your daily responsibilities, from school to rotations?
"My program is a little over two years long, so for the first year we are doing classroom learning only and the second year we begin our 5-week clinical rotations. We have some general rotations such as pediatrics, general surgery, and internal medicine, but we also get two rotations of our choosing in specialty fields. Right now I am wrapping up my first year, so I am almost done with the classroom learning portion and in September I'll begin my clinical rotations."
When and what inspired you to go into the medical field?
"Both of my older sisters chose careers in the medical field so it was always on my radar, but I decided to start college in the opposite direction as an architectural engineering major. It didn't take long for me to realize that route wasn't for me, so I changed my major to Biological Sciences and realized I really enjoyed my science classes. I started shadowing different professionals in the medical field and ended up really admiring the role of the physician assistant."
As a standout student and athlete, how did you manage this unique balance and perform at such high levels?
"There were definitely times I was exhausted balancing volleyball and school but the teammates I had were always so supportive of me and were what made my athletic experience at Southern Miss so memorable. On the court I wanted to work for them, and knowing I was working towards entering a career where I would get to do something I love while serving others is what made me motivated to work hard in the classroom."
How has COVID-19 affected your daily routines, preparations and observations?
"We are currently learning all online through recorded lectures and zoom calls with our professors. It has been more challenging not being face to face, but it is also very encouraging to know my classmates and I are preparing for a future career where we get to help those who are in their most vulnerable states, and that is going to be so rewarding!"
Even though it hasn't been long, how much have you been able to keep up with/visit teammates and friends since going back into school?
"School is pretty non-stop for me and since I'm all the way in Texas, I don't get to see my college friends unless I'm on a break. I was able to visit with a lot of them in May which was so great! The coolest thing is being able to stay close to them even though we aren't physically in the same city, and that's what lasting friendships are made of."
Bell, a native of San Antonio, Texas, holds the school's all-time assists record with 5,251. She earned First-Team Conference USA honors three times and was named a Google Cloud Academic All-American as a senior. Bell is currently enrolled in the physician assistant program at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.
What are some of your daily responsibilities, from school to rotations?
"My program is a little over two years long, so for the first year we are doing classroom learning only and the second year we begin our 5-week clinical rotations. We have some general rotations such as pediatrics, general surgery, and internal medicine, but we also get two rotations of our choosing in specialty fields. Right now I am wrapping up my first year, so I am almost done with the classroom learning portion and in September I'll begin my clinical rotations."
When and what inspired you to go into the medical field?
"Both of my older sisters chose careers in the medical field so it was always on my radar, but I decided to start college in the opposite direction as an architectural engineering major. It didn't take long for me to realize that route wasn't for me, so I changed my major to Biological Sciences and realized I really enjoyed my science classes. I started shadowing different professionals in the medical field and ended up really admiring the role of the physician assistant."
As a standout student and athlete, how did you manage this unique balance and perform at such high levels?
"There were definitely times I was exhausted balancing volleyball and school but the teammates I had were always so supportive of me and were what made my athletic experience at Southern Miss so memorable. On the court I wanted to work for them, and knowing I was working towards entering a career where I would get to do something I love while serving others is what made me motivated to work hard in the classroom."
How has COVID-19 affected your daily routines, preparations and observations?
"We are currently learning all online through recorded lectures and zoom calls with our professors. It has been more challenging not being face to face, but it is also very encouraging to know my classmates and I are preparing for a future career where we get to help those who are in their most vulnerable states, and that is going to be so rewarding!"
Even though it hasn't been long, how much have you been able to keep up with/visit teammates and friends since going back into school?
"School is pretty non-stop for me and since I'm all the way in Texas, I don't get to see my college friends unless I'm on a break. I was able to visit with a lot of them in May which was so great! The coolest thing is being able to stay close to them even though we aren't physically in the same city, and that's what lasting friendships are made of."
Episode 5: Forged In Fire
Wednesday, November 29
Episode 4:Forged In Fire
Friday, November 03
Volleyball HC Jenny Hazelwood and Junior Mia Wesley- Arkansas State Postgame
Saturday, October 21
Episode 3: Forged In Fire
Thursday, October 19