AZVA Student Eleni Builds Community on Her Path Toward Medicine

Eleni has wanted to become a doctor since she was a little girl. Today, the Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) student is exploring that ambition through health care courses, hospital experience and school leadership roles that connect her with classmates who share her interests. 

Her goal is to become a pediatrician. She traces that dream to a doctor who helped her younger brother when he was seriously ill, and to her own pediatrician, whose warmth and sense of humor showed her the kind of provider she hopes to be. 

“I just want to help people in general,” Eleni said. 

At AZVA, she is finding ways to put that motivation into practice while preparing for college and building a community of her own. 

Turning an Interest Into Experience 

Eleni first learned about AZVA’s career and technical education (CTE) pathways through her school counselors. Among the options, health sciences stood out because she wanted to understand how nurses support patients and what their daily responsibilities involve. 

Last semester, her studies included medical assisting and electrocardiogram (EKG) coursework. She is now officially a medical assistant, has passed the AMCA Certified Nursing Assistant exam and holds an EKG technician certification. This semester, she is adding phlebotomy to her skill set. 

Each course has introduced her to a different aspect of health care, from supporting patients to interpreting heart activity. For Eleni, learning new skills is part of the appeal. 

“I’ve always liked the challenge,” she said. “I am looking forward to making sure I get to use all my skills.” 

Her externship at Banner Estrella Medical Center, which is coordinated through AZVA’s medical assisting pathway, has also introduced her to the work that keeps a hospital running. This semester, she is supporting the birth recording department, gaining insight into health care administration and the steps involved in documenting a newborn’s birth. She says documentation requirements can vary based on a family’s circumstances, making accuracy and attention to detail especially important. 

Eleni also hopes to explore opportunities in the neonatal intensive care unit once she meets the age requirements. Each experience is helping her better understand the different roles that support patients and families as she prepares for her own future in medicine. 

Finding Friends Through Shared Interests 

Alongside her coursework, Eleni has found meaningful connections through HOSA, a student organization for future health professionals, and the National Honor Society (NHS). She currently serves as president of both groups. 

“Serving as president has helped me continue developing my leadership, communication, and healthcare skills while exploring different areas of the medical field,” said Eleni.  

Joining clubs and reaching out to classmates helped her find students who were eager to share ideas and get to know one another. In HOSA, their shared interest in becoming nurses, doctors and other health professionals gave friendships a natural starting point. 

Eleni says one of her closest friendships began in her medical pathway. Conversations about medicine brought them together, and they later discovered they shared the same faith. Their friendship grew beyond school, and they began attending church together. 

For Eleni, those relationships are an important part of her school experience. They have given her people to learn alongside, spend time with and encourage as they pursue their own goals.  

“You would think that with online school you would be alone, but I think it’s the opposite,” Eleni said. “You get to meet new people you might not have connected with at an in-person school.” 

Preparing for What Comes Next 

Eleni is also taking concurrent-enrollment courses through Rio Salado College, including anatomy, biology and trigonometry. She plans to continue her college coursework until graduating from AZVA in the spring. After completing her associate degree at Rio Salado, she plans to pursue medical studies at Arizona State University. 

Staying organized helps her balance those commitments. She starts her mornings by checking messages, answering her club members and classmates’ questions and reviewing her schedule, prioritizing AZVA assignments before college work. 

Outside school, she draws, paints, plays games with friends and reads stories to children at church. She also enjoys time outside with her younger brother, another AZVA student. 

Her advice to other students is to avoid procrastination, make time for loved ones and stay open to opportunities. For Eleni, moving toward a future in medicine also means making the most of the people and experiences along the way. 

What interests could shape your future? Enroll at AZVA today and start learning how career and technical education pathways can help you build new skills, connect with classmates and take steps toward your goals. 

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