From a young age, Gabriela Pearson-Mora knew she wanted to work in healthcare. After becoming a certified nursing assistant during her high school years, she gained first-hand experience at a long-term care facility where she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Gabby realized, through her work, that a career in healthcare management would be a better fit for her than patient care.

Shortly after her high school graduation in 2011, Gabby had her son and took a few years off from school to raise him and work. She returned to school at Indiana University Kokomo in 2016 where she studied Public Administration Healthcare Management. With wonderful resources, education, reasonable financial costs, and proximity to her hometown in Frankfort, IUK was a perfect fit for Gabby’s goals. While working at an internship as an undergraduate through IUK’s Public Administration Healthcare Management Program, she also worked in a PRN nurse position and eventually transitioned to a project coordinator role at Frankfort Hospital. From her internships and experiences at IUK, she was able to develop important knowledge and skills. In 2020, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration healthcare management. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she continued attending IUK to earn her Master of Public Management in August of 2023. Now she serves as a Project Manager at Indiana University Health Arnett.

In her interview with IUAA Student Fellow Marley Anderson, Gabby explains how her high school journey, college internships, and healthcare experience has prepared her for her career.