Kardelen's Farewell Reflection 🙋‍♀️

We would like to wish TARGet Kids! Research Assistant Kardelen Kurt a heartfelt goodbye as she prepares to return to school to pursue her nursing degree! While we will miss her at TARGet Kids!, we are extremely grateful for the hard work, dedication, and passion she showed while working with us and we wish her best of luck in her educational endeavors!

As I prepare to return to school to pursue my nursing degree, I’m reflecting on the invaluable experiences I’ve had as a research assistant with TARGet Kids! My time here has deepened my understanding of pediatric health and the crucial role that evidence-based research plays in shaping healthcare outcomes.

Working alongside dedicated professionals at TARGet Kids!, I’ve been involved in tasks ranging from data collection to literature reviews, all of which have honed my analytical skills and attention to detail. It’s been especially rewarding to see how the data we collected can inform real-world healthcare practices, addressing issues like childhood obesity, vaccine hesitancy, and the social determinants of health.

While I wasn’t directly providing patient care, working with families in the research setting reinforced my passion for nursing. I witnessed firsthand the importance of family-centered care and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges families face in managing their children’s health. This experience has solidified my desire to pursue a career that blends clinical expertise with compassionate care.

The most meaningful part of my time at TARGet Kids! has been the relationships I’ve built with such a talented, supportive team. Working collaboratively with diverse perspectives has shown me that great research is not just about gathering data but understanding the people behind it—the children and families at the heart of our work.

As I move forward in my nursing journey, I’ll carry these lessons with me: the value of evidence-based practice, the importance of patient-centered care, and the power of collaboration. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to such meaningful research and to have worked with a team making a real difference in children’s health.

Thank you to everyone at TARGet Kids! for your support, guidance, and inspiration 😊