Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Davie Community Foundation would like the share stories of foundation scholarship recipients. “Where Are They Now?” is an article series about former scholars and the great things they are accomplishing.

By Madison Hartness

Davie Community Foundation

Katie Barber graduated from Davie County High School in 2012 and then attended UNC Chapel Hill where she studied biology with a minor in Hispanic studies. Katie was a recipient of the Diana Springer Scholarship through the Davie Community Foundation.

Her fascination with the spanish language sparked her study abroad experience in Granada, Spain. Back at Chapel Hill, Katie got her CNA and worked at a psychiatry clinic. Upon graduation, she knew that her interest was still in the medical field but she wasn’t quite ready to take the leap into medical school.

Following her passion for Spain, Katie became a culture and language ambassador. This program allowed her to live and work in Spain for two years teaching English, while immersing herself in the culture of the country and becoming fluent in Spanish. The carefree atmosphere in Spain was a breath of fresh air for Katie after completing her undergraduate studies. She describes the Spanish culture as social, fun, community-focused, nature-driven, and enjoyable.

Upon completion of her ambassador program, Katie moved back home to Davie and is working in the mother and baby unit of Forsyth Medical Center as well as scribing for an otolaryngologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. She is beginning to apply for physicians assistant programs with the goal of working with populations with limited access to healthcare.

Katie spends part of her time volunteering with the Shalom Project in Winston-Salem to satisfy her passion for helping those in need.