Laughlin Ryan, Laney Rouse, and Lia Godfrey are not only working toward their individual goals of attaining a Master of Public Health (MPH), but they are also scoring goals for the UVA Women’s Soccer team. Through the added COVID year granted to student athletes during 2020 and through time off related to injuries, they gained extra eligibility and decided to use their 5th year to continue playing and work towards their MPH degrees. While all on the same path, the road these students took to public health was unique, littered with adversity, and will ultimately send them into very different areas of healthcare.
Laughlin Ryan, a forward, graduated with a BS in neuroscience and a minor in health & wellbeing. She spent her first three years on the soccer team sidelined due to season-ending injuries; however, this setback helped her realize her passion for medicine. Now back on the soccer field, Laughlin also volunteers at the Emily Couric Cancer Center to help raise money for cancer patients. She hopes to attend medical school and use her MPH degree to employ a holistic understanding of healthcare while working as a physician.
Laney Rouse, a defender, graduated with a BS in Kinesiology. Due to an achilles injury last season she gained an extra year of eligibility and spent time exploring interests outside of soccer. In her last semester of undergrad, Laney shadowed a physician’s assistant (PA) in clinic and in surgery. During this time, she discovered her love for medicine, so she decided to pursue her MPH because she realized that learning about the healthcare system outside of clinical work would provide a more complete view of the medical field. She hopes first to play professional soccer, but eventually to attend PA school after her soccer career.
Lia Godfrey, a midfielder, graduated with a BS in Biology and a minor in psychology. After shadowing her family veterinarian at home in Florida, she discovered her interest in veterinary medicine. Lia sat in on daily appointments and watched multiple surgeries, and she just knew this was her career field. Her family vet even encouraged her to pursue an MPH. While she first hopes to play professional soccer, she plans to attend vet school in the future.
These three student athletes are all on the same team but also have varied interests, and yet all found major benefits to pursuing a Master of Public Health. The MPH program creates an opportunity for students to explore different career paths and gain a comprehensive understanding of healthcare. Now, Laughlin, Laney, and Lia are competing in the NCAA tournament for a national championship. Despite being teammates for five years, this is the first time all three have played together. Luckily, they will have a chance to play together again for one more season next year as they finish their MPH degrees in fall 2025. Good luck to Laughlin, Laney, Lia and the rest of the UVA soccer team!