In the forty-sixth episode of Vitals and Voices, we sit down with Sehan Adan, a recent Biology graduate on the pre-med track who is currently working in a healthcare coordination role while preparing for the MCAT. Sehan’s journey into medicine is rooted in both lived experience and a deep commitment to health equity, patient advocacy, and creating pathways for students who come from backgrounds historically underrepresented in healthcare.

Sehan has conducted research at institutions such as Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic, focusing on health disparities and patient-centered care. Through these experiences, he has explored how structural factors—including socioeconomic status, language access, and systemic barriers—can shape patient outcomes and influence who receives quality care. His work reflects a strong interest in addressing these gaps through both research and community-centered advocacy.

Growing up as a first-generation, low-income student from a refugee background, Sehan witnessed firsthand how access to information, communication, and healthcare navigation can dramatically affect families and communities. These experiences inspired him to pursue a career in medicine and shaped his passion for systems-level change, particularly in improving how healthcare institutions serve vulnerable populations.

Beyond research and clinical work, Sehan is also committed to mentorship and education. Through digital platforms, he creates educational content designed to help first-generation and low-income students navigate academic pathways, healthcare careers, and opportunities that may otherwise feel out of reach. His goal is to make information more accessible and help students see themselves reflected in spaces where they may not have previously felt they belonged.

Sehan is especially proud of his research and advocacy work focused on underserved communities, including presenting at national conferences and participating in public panels discussing public health and gun violence. For him, the impact of this work lies not only in the outcomes, but also in maintaining a community-centered approach that prioritizes the voices and needs of those most affected.

Through storytelling—whether in research, writing, or digital media—Sehan hopes to continue highlighting the human side of healthcare while building resources that empower future generations of students pursuing medicine.

Sehan’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and purpose, reflecting a commitment to making healthcare more equitable, compassionate, and accessible for all.