Hi, my name is Rosely Resendiz Alas, and I’m a rising junior at Cary High School. My passion for healthcare, especially dentistry and neuroscience, has driven me to take on leadership roles both in and out of school. I organized a dental drive to support oral health back in Mexico and served as an officer for Minds Matter Initiative, where we volunteer with individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. At school, I’m also involved in student government as a student body officer.
ISHTaR has been an incredible and eye-opening experience. I joined with the hope of learning more about healthcare beyond dentistry, and I’ve achieved just that. Through hands-on learning, career talks, and research, I’ve gained a broader understanding of the medical field and discovered new areas I had never considered.
Through ISHTaR, I’ve explored fields like sonography, anesthesiology, and ENT. The program also helped me further develop skills in communication, teamwork, and time management. The career conversations taught me that everyone’s path is unique, and no matter which direction you take, you will end up where you’re meant to be. Hearing directly from professionals in these talks has strengthened my confidence in pursuing my path.
One of the most impactful parts of the program was working alongside the Community Health Labs with Durham Tech. We had the opportunity to serve underserved populations, including the Hispanic community, which was especially meaningful to me. It felt amazing to give back and be part of something that directly improves access to care for those who often face barriers.
If you’re passionate about healthcare, want to grow, and are ready to take on new challenges, ISHTaR is the program for you!

Rosely learned about bag valve masks with Dr. Ben Antonio.