I authored a research paper on my award-winning mobile application, which enhances kidney health management for dialysis patients using AI-driven predictions. I passed two rounds of rigorous peer reviews from global experts, and revised my work based on their feedback. After weeks of preparation, including 10 hours per week over an eight-week period, I successfully presented the paper and answered questions at the 10th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Vienna, Austria, in March 2024.

While my app Renal Dialysis provided my grandmother and others in the community with a sense of control, it also revealed deeper, systemic issues. In rural Wisconsin, broadband access, digital literacy gaps, and restrictive telehealth policies prevent many from benefiting from such innovations. During Girls' State this summer, I connected with peers from rural Wisconsin who shared their struggles with accessing basic medical care, often enduring multi- hour drives for appointments. Their stories echoed my grandmother’s own challenges in accessing care for kidney failure, reinforcing my commitment to addressing these barriers through technologies like Telehealth.

As a result, I conducted independent research on telehealth, with the support of Professor William Eskridge at Yale Law School. In areas like Waushara County, telehealth has helped bridge critical gaps by enhancing broadband access, adapting regulations, and expanding insurance coverage. Through interviews with healthcare providers, caregivers, patients, farmers, and policymakers, I explored telehealth’s transformative potential, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis accelerated telehealth advancements and underscored the need for continued investment to ensure equitable care.

This research fueled my passion for healthcare equity and solidified my belief that policy change is necessary to expand Telehealth services and make healthcare more accessible.