Another Year, Another Adventure!
Former professional swimmer, current Stanford medical student, founder of Dysunderstood, and for the 4th year in a row - Nurse Mates Brand Partner!
We caught up with Ella to chat about lessons learned and the year ahead!
Ella! Welcome back! We’re excited to be partnering for the fourth year in a row! We know life is going to look a little differently for you this year, could you tell us a little about it?
"Thank you! I’m so grateful to continue this partnership. This year is a big one—I'm continuing medical school while simultaneously starting my MBA at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. I’m interested in improving current or imagining new care models for patients with complex, chronic illness—something deeply personal to me. It’s a busy chapter ahead, but I’m feeling energized by the opportunity to bring together my passions for healthcare, advocacy, and innovation."
What is the biggest lesson you learned about yourself over the past year?
"I learned the importance of, once again, redefining success for myself. Coming from an athletic background, I used to equate success with pushing through. But this past year reminded me that strength also lies in slowing down, listening to your body, and making space for things that align with your values. It’s a mindset that has made me more grounded and more intentional. To my surprise, this past year was the busiest I have ever been. Even though my undergraduate experience as a student-athlete was full and challenging, the third year of medical school is a unique challenge with time constraints given that we usually spend six days per week in the hospital or clinic. It has been a growth experience to navigate balancing many hours on clinical rotations, my health, my Dysunderstood work, and personal life. A theme of this year has been personal improvement, which is familiar to me. But, the new aspect has been working in a setting where I am truly a novice. It has been fun to learn that healthcare truly is a team sport. There are doctors in different stages of training, which provides a great structure for education at every stage. I have learned more in one year than ever before, and it is nice to know that there are several years still ahead of me to soak up knowledge and experience from the doctors that have come before me."
What are you most excited for this upcoming year?
Ella is wearing the Save the Bees Endangered Species Compression Socks. The Align™ Tulia in White are sitting next to her.
"Starting my MBA is incredibly exciting for many reasons. I love to meet new people, and am always inspired by my classmates, their stories, and all the good that they hope to do in the world. I am going to have the unique opportunity to work with other students that are interested in making a career impact in healthcare, but are pursuing it from an angle other than from the provider side. I will learn about the business of healthcare and the landscape in which I will be providing medical care. I also hope to teach non-providers about essential aspects of healthcare that are only learned through lived experience.
Additionally, I look forward to continuing to grow Dysunderstood, the nonprofit I founded, and to apply what I’m learning at Stanford GSB to make the organization sustainable and impactful. I'm also eager to spend more time in clinic, especially working with young patients, and learning how to better support those with complex, misunderstood conditions.
On a personal note, since December, I am engaged to my fiancé, Louis, and am planning our wedding for next spring (a fun way to spend time between studying)."
What are your go-to Nurse Mates items?
Ella is wearing the Align™ Tulia in White and the Ultimate Nursing Backpack in Grey Linen.
"My tried-and-true go-to is the Align Tulia sneaker—they’ve been a lifesaver for long days on my feet during clinical rotations. I notice a signifi cant difference in how my joints feel at the end of the day when I am wearing my Nurse Mates shoes. I also love the 360 compression socks; they’re both cute and functional. I am so much more awake and mobile when I am wearing their compression, and I love how they aren’t too tight or too warm while providing the perfect support."
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