Tess Boeker, who grew up on Bainbridge Island, is currently a student at the Yale Physician Associate Program and was recently recognized with the Outstanding Student Award by the Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

She received the award after serving as reproductive heath director of HAVEN Free Clinic in New Haven, Connecticut. In this role she recruited women’s health clinicians, coordinated student volunteers, and created a new sexual health education program for the clinic. The clinic serves uninsured community members, who are predominantly Spanish-speaking. She also went on to fundraise more than $3,000 for the clinic.

Boeker plans on returning to the Seattle area after graduation to better serve the community that will always be her home.