WKU News

As a senior on the Hill, Emma Huskey is charting a path toward medicine with determination, community spirit, and a genuine desire to serve others. A double major in biology and chemistry from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Emma has balanced the rigor of pre-med with leadership, involvement, and meaningful service.

“I just have always, like, wanted to become a doctor,” Emma shared. “I’m very passionate about serving others and helping others, and, you know, giving back to the community.”

For Emma, WKU was a natural choice. Her father is a professor at the university, and the Hill offered both financial practicality and a close-knit environment. “I always thought I wanted to move away from home, but financially, this was definitely a smarter option,” she explained. “It’s not too big, not too small here as well, so it really made a perfect [fit]. And I’ve lived on campus, or near campus, so that adds to the actual college experience.”

Campus Life and Leadership

Even with the demands of her pre-med track, Emma has made time to get involved in multiple organizations. She is a Top Guide, Ogden College Student Ambassador, and a member of her sorority. She has also organized community service initiatives, including a food drive in collaboration with WKU’s Office of Sustainability.

“I’ve had to live the life of a pre-med student, but also been able to be involved in other things that I’m passionate about,” she said.

Most recently, Emma joined WKU Admissions as a student influencer. “I think I’ll be making social content for prospective students and kind of making it so that they see a true ‘Day in the Life,’” she explained. “Maybe TikToks—I like making those on my personal account.”

Gaining Real-World Experience

Emma’s first official job in the medical field has been as a rehab technician at the Medical Center. “I help the physical therapist and the physical therapy assistants in the clinical and hospital setting, and they’re very different,” she said.

The role has given her a firsthand look at patient care. “Probably the most interesting part is seeing the diverse group of people, and actually seeing the hospital setting, because I’d love to work in a hospital someday,” Emma reflected. “Kind of seeing them at their most vulnerable moment, and being there as a support system for them and showing them that they can do it—that they can get better.”

Language barriers, she added, have been among the challenges: “We have to use a translator sometimes, and you have to be clear so that the translator knows exactly what you’re trying to say.”

Looking Toward the Future

Emma has already completed her MCAT and medical school applications, casting her net across institutions in Kentucky, Ohio, and Florida. “I would love to go to Florida, but we’ll see how realistic it is with price,” she said. “Doing the secondary applications and looking more into their schools, I really liked the Florida values because they really center on patient care.”

Although she is leaning toward orthopedics, Emma keeps her options open. “I’m not really dead set on anything. My options are open,” she said, noting her sports background and recent exposure to orthopedic rehabilitation.

She is also open to global opportunities in the future. “I really think it’d be cool to travel to a third world country and perform medicine that way,” Emma said. “I think it’d be very rewarding as well as being able to see different parts of the world.”

Staying Grounded

Despite the challenges of pre-med life, Emma has held on to her motivation. “There’s always going to be those little moments of doubt,” she admitted. “But advice I’d give is to remember why you’re doing it. Bring yourself back to what makes it something you’ve always wanted to go towards, because ultimately, it does make me me. That’s what helps me stay grounded.”