SENIOR PROJECT OVERVIEW

DIRECTIONS: Explain each area in approximately 35 to 50 words.

Name: Natalie Hood

Title of Project: Medics and Cadets

Title of Research Paper: Battle on the Home front

Synopsis of Research Paper:

The research paper reveals many delays within the VA system that have become very prominent in recent
years. The research entails examples such as scandals pertaining to the extensive wait lists and the outcomes
of staffing shortages. Laws pertaining to proper healthcare serve as a basis to show how the accessibility to
proper treatment is still in question

Project Description:

For the community involvement project portion, I created a symposium with a keynote speaker who works
in the healthcare field and understands why delays happen. The audience was projected at local NJROTC
units and senior living homes within the Virginia Beach community in order to raise awareness and
advocacy for my project. The entire symposium was recorded and then published to the Library of Congress
for the general public to access. A donation drive was also held in order to support the DAV's efforts in
helping local Hampton Roads homeless veterans.

Relationship between Project and Paper:

The relationship between my project and my paper is tied together with advocacy. Both highlight delays
within the VA system and my project specifically represents different ways of helping our disabled
veterans. My paper was centrally focused on the facts and law for delays in the healthcare system, whereas
my project focused on educating those directly affected on how to make their processing easier. The
donation drive was another example of ways to assist our disabled veterans. By donating to credible
organizations like the DAV, we are able to come together to help our citizens within the community.

My background experience in the area:

My family consists of people who served for their country and I have seen how troublesome finding the
healthcare they need in a timely manner can be. For someone to risk their life for their country is an
honorable thing and it is important for us to defend their rights even after they return home. I also served
as the Executive Officer for the NJROTC unit at First Colonial. From my four year experience, I have had
the opportunity to talk to Admirals, Navy Seals, and other military personnel. One common thing between
them all, is the manner at which they receive healthcare especially after they retire.

Special things I’d like judges to consider and look for:

My project stands above the reset merely for the fact that I incorporated the Library of Congress into my
project. I was able to record and upload my symposium for anyone to access. Therefore, all the information
given to the audience that day can be pass along through generations of healthcare providers and patients.
I would also like the judges to take into the consideration my passion for this topic. During the process of
creating this project, I realized I could not just stop at informing one small portion of our veterans in person.
I have begun the process in making Medics and Cadets a non-profit organization.