For three Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) students, the drive to make a difference extends far beyond the classroom. Aamuktha Porika (Class of 2027), Sydney Zhou (Class of 2026), and Emily Minner (Class of 2026) are fellows of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship who channeled their passion into Project S.E.E.D. — Support, Empower, and Engage with the Disability Community.
This student-led initiative focuses on children with spina bifida, a group at higher risk for obesity and other health concerns due to limited mobility. Drawing from their unique medical and engineering training, the students worked to close resource gaps, raise awareness, and assist families navigating complex care systems.
Through Project S.E.E.D.’s partnerships with the Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project (RSVP) and the UTHealth Spina Bifida Clinic, the students saw just how difficult it can be for patients — especially those living outside Harris County — to find assistance. Some families needed rent support or specialized food programs for feeding tubes, only to discover that existing services didn’t meet their needs.
Motivated to improve access, the students developed two mobile apps — one for the RSVP Clinic and one for the UTHealth Spina Bifida Clinic. These tools streamline the process of locating support services by offering searchable databases, direct links to applications and websites, and simple step-by-step instructions.
“The app works for patients, caregivers, and even clinic staff,” said Porika. “Its simplicity makes services more accessible for patients who may not have regular access to a computer or who struggle with using technology.”
But the impact of their work extended far beyond technology. Small acts of support proved to be just as powerful. At RSVP, the team helped a patient obtain a motorized wheelchair after months of delays.
They connected the patient with the Living Hope Wheelchair Association, which provided the needed equipment — and they witnessed the wheelchair arrive during a clinic appointment.
“As future physicians, we must understand how access and social support is critical to health.” The experience, Zhou added, showed how far a bit of effort can go.
At the Spina Bifida Clinic, they connected families to financial resources, adaptive sports programs and even something as basic — but meaningful — as a disability parking placard.
“That’s a seemingly small task, but it had eluded this family for months,” said Minner. “We can take for granted how easily we navigate systems that can be huge barriers for the families we serve.”
Now, nearing the end of their fellowship, all three students agree that their passion for advocacy and compassionate care has only grown stronger. Their experience has also inspired the next cohort of Albert Schweitzer Fellows, continuing the cycle of service and innovation at EnMed.
“Through Project S.E.E.D., we saw that being advocates for a more inclusive health care system can make just as much of a difference as diagnosing a condition,” Porika said. “It’s not just about the science of healing — it’s about the heart of it.”
