FACES Conversantes

In the Classroom
Students learn about common medical complaints (chest pain, breast mass, abdominal pain) and practice medical interpretation techniques through a combination of lectures, role-plays, case-studies, and presentations. In the Community
Students volunteer 2-3 hours per week as Spanish interpreters in local health care facilities such as: Clínica Amistad, St. Mary’s Hospital, Universit

05/12/2025

Robert Logan Nugent Award
The Robert Logan Nugent Award goes to students who display a record of accomplishments that exemplify the high ideals of Robert Logan Nugent, a former U of A executive vice president.

Siena Sevillano Shedd is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in physiology and medical sciences with a minor in biochemistry.

Shedd, the eldest of three and ﬁrstborn to two U of A graduates, grew up across the United States and in Vinhedo, Brazil. Her family now lives in Pleasanton, California.

During her four years at the university, Shedd has been a leader in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. After serving as a preceptor for two semesters, Shedd became a teacher's assistant, leading reviews, mentoring students and managing instructional resources.

Shedd's leadership extends to her time in Women in Medicine and Science, an organization that advocates for women's advancement in science ﬁelds. As a local outreach committee member, she led teams of students in engaging with their community. Those efforts led to the club's selection for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Outstanding Community Engagement Award.

Shedd has dedicated herself to a lifetime of service in medicine. As an athletic training technician in McKale Memorial Center, she's worked with athletic trainers across multiple sports to gain hands-on experience in sports medicine. When she's not cheering them on at games, Shedd supports U of A athletes by assisting with rehabilitation treatment to help them reach their performance goals.

Shedd has also helped bridge communication gaps in health care settings. As a medical interpreter at Clinica Amistad and clinics within the Commitment to Underserved People program, she has helped uninsured Spanish-speaking patients get access to care.

Shedd is committed to serving vulnerable populations. At Banner Health, she supported pediatric patients and their families, and at Sister José Women's Center, she created a welcoming space for women experiencing homelessness. Her dedication extends internationally through the MexZona Medical Services nonprofit, where she helps deliver free medical care to underserved communities in Mexico.

After graduation, Shedd plans to pursue a medical degree so she can continue advocating for accessible health care and patient-centered care as a physician.