When Allie Harrison applied to Waterloo's Health Sciences program, her goal was simple: help people and prepare for a future in healthcare.
What attracted Allie most was the program's unique combination of scientific knowledge and a broader understanding of health. Rather than focusing solely on biology and anatomy, Waterloo's Health Sciences program encouraged students to explore the social, environmental, and systemic factors that influence health outcomes.
"I wanted to help people and was interested in a program that would prepare me well for the medical field," says Allie. "I loved that it had a strong balance of science but also health-focused courses that helped me understand the determinants of health and the lived experiences behind health challenges."
Today, Allie is Director of Health & Wellness and Co-Founder of the Keep Your Head Up Foundation, a charitable organization supporting individuals living with brain injuries. Looking back, she credits her Waterloo education with providing many of the skills that helped her take an unexpected entrepreneurial path.
Learning to understand problems and create solutions
Entrepreneurship was never part of Allie's original plan.
"I never would have predicted entrepreneurship would be my journey," she says.
However, the skills she developed throughout her Health Sciences program proved invaluable.
Through coursework, she learned how to research complex health issues, evaluate evidence, communicate findings clearly, and identify practical solutions.
"In entrepreneurship, you need to explain problems efficiently and help people understand why they matter," she explains. "My health courses continually challenged me to research health problems, explain their importance, and identify potential solutions."
This ability to understand the bigger picture of health helped Allie and her co-founder identify unmet needs within the brain injury community. It also helped them build partnerships, secure funding, and develop programs that make a meaningful difference.
Developing a social determinants of health perspective
One of the most valuable lessons Allie gained from Waterloo was learning to view health through the lens of the social determinants of health.
"Learning to understand and apply the social determinants of health in constructive ways was probably my most valuable takeaway," she says.
As a student navigating her own health challenges, Allie found herself connecting personal experiences with classroom learning. This perspective helped her better understand where healthcare systems and programs can unintentionally leave people behind.
"Without lived experience navigating the health system, it can be easy to assume the status quo is sufficient. I was able to see why people might be falling through the cracks."
The Health Sciences program encouraged students to explore multiple perspectives, critically examine health systems, and consider the diverse needs of communities.
For Allie, these experiences fostered a deep commitment to accessibility that continues to guide her work today.
Building transferable skills for leadership
Like many students considering Health Sciences, Allie didn't know exactly where her degree would lead.
What she discovered was that the program equips students with highly transferable skills that can be applied across a wide range of careers.
"I learned how to assess and explain problems and critically evaluate viable solutions, with accessibility in mind," she says.
Beyond technical health knowledge, she developed skills in research, writing, collaboration, communication, and interdisciplinary thinking.
These competencies now play a critical role in her leadership position with the Keep Your Head Up Foundation. They help her work alongside stakeholders, donors, community partners, and team members to design programs that address real community needs.
Why public health and health sciences make a powerful combination
At Keep Your Head Up, Allie works closely with colleagues whose backgrounds include both public health and health sciences.
She believes the overlap between the two fields creates a powerful foundation for community impact.
"We shared many of the courses that gave us the foundational skills for this work, such as community engagement and program evaluation," she explains.
While her Health Sciences coursework included anatomy and physiology that support her understanding of brain injury and recovery, the broader community-focused courses were equally influential in shaping her career.
Together, these disciplines help create evidence-informed programs that are both scientifically grounded and responsive to community needs.
Creating healthier communities through accessibility
The way Allie approaches community wellness today reflects what she learned at Waterloo.
"I bring my social determinants of health lens towards everything," she says. "I am always thinking about accessibility."
Whether developing programs, services, or resources, she believes successful health initiatives must recognize the diversity of people's experiences and circumstances.
"There is never going to be a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to health and wellbeing but taking the time to thoughtfully design solutions that are usable and beneficial to the greatest number of people is so important."
Who should consider Waterloo Health Sciences?
For students interested in health, science, and helping others, Allie believes Waterloo's Health Sciences and Public Health programs offer outstanding opportunities.
"If you are interested in health, science and helping others, but aren't sure exactly where you want to end up, these are both great programs to consider," she says.
She points to the flexibility of the programs and the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through electives and specialized coursework.
"You really can get the best of the science and health worlds."
Advice for future students
If she could go back to Grade 12, Allie says she would have spent more time exploring the many career possibilities available within the health sector.
"I wish I had more exposure to the wide variety of career paths available in the health field outside of the traditional roles we're all aware of."
Her own journey is proof that a Health Sciences degree can lead to opportunities far beyond what students might initially expect.
From understanding complex health challenges to leading innovative community programs, Allie's career demonstrates how the Health Sciences program prepares graduates to make a difference wherever their interests take them.
Next steps
- Learn how co-op can help you explore career paths and gain work experience.
- Take our quiz to find the Health program that's right for you.
- Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get program updates, tips and event invitations.