Souk Sengsaisouk, a nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, came to the U.S. from Lao People's Democratic Republic. He shares his path to Mayo, his inspiration for serving others, what motivates him to want to help people improve their lives, and more.

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Souk Sengsaisouk's hope for the future is that he can help make healthcare accessible to all and improve the quality of life for others.

Sengsaisouk's path to becoming a nurse at Mayo Clinic was neither quick nor easy.

He was born in a remote village of Lao People's Democratic Republic in Southeast Asia, where he describes the landscape as "lush." The community he grew up in was tight-knit, he says.

They were humble beginnings, but they set out a path that would take him far beyond the borders of his homeland.

At a young age, Sengsaisouk was awarded an Olympic Physics Fellow Scholarship to attend Lycée de Vientiane, a prestigious boarding school in the capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. This opportunity opened his eyes to the power of education, he says.

He went on to the United World College of Maastricht in the Netherlands, where he met people from many different cultures.

"I gained invaluable insights into the interconnectedness of humanity and the idealism of being a changemaker," he says.

Sengsaisouk came to the U.S. on a Shelby Davis Scholarship, which provides need-based funding to graduates of schools and colleges in the United World Colleges to study at select universities in the U.S.

He says his desire to make a difference in the world and his interest in healthcare helped him find his calling in nursing.

Here, Sengsaisouk shares his inspiration for serving others, what motivates him to want to help people improve their lives, and more.

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Hearing a stoic man, whose face rarely showed emotion, suddenly break into a smile as he uttered the words, "My kids go to school now," was a defining moment for me.

It's moments like these that fuel my drive and validate my purpose. My dream is big — to improve accessibility to equitable healthcare and promote a good quality of life for all. But it's the smaller, human moments of connection, like that smile, that truly motivate me.

It all began one evening at the clinic, just as my shift was ending. A man rushed in, his face tense with worry. His limited English made communication difficult, but with the help of an interpreter, I learned he was here for his diabetes medication and needed to get home quickly.

His restlessness was palpable. This man became a regular visitor over the next few months. Each time, his blood sugar was poorly controlled and his stress was evident.

My dream is big ... But it's the smaller, human moments of connection, like that smile, that truly motivate me.

Souk Sengsaisouk

Through our conversations, I learned his story. He was a widowed father of two young children. He had recently been laid off from his job due to health issues and the economic impact of COVID-19. He worked overtime to support his family and juggled caring for his visually impaired mother while worrying about his children's future.

His tearful admission of hopelessness touched me deeply.

Despite the challenges, he was trying to remain resilient in his own way. He relied on inexpensive, shelf-stable foods like canned beans and hotdogs to feed his family. But he made sure they had their favorite meal — tacos — whenever he could. He even treated them to discounted donuts from the only gas station in town as a special treat.

But looming over these moments of joy were the threat of worsening health and financial instability.

Together, he and I navigated social programs and assistance options. Initially resistant, he eventually accepted the help. I assured him of his strength and dedication to his family, but his gratitude was tinged with sadness as he left the clinic.

I feared he wouldn't return. But one day, just as I was about to close, he burst in with a smile that lit up the room.

"My kids go to school now," he exclaimed.

Because of the programs we provided, he had found some relief. Now, trust and hope were built.

In that moment, I felt a surge of hope and purpose.

We worked together more effectively, and his willingness to engage in his own care was evident.

His story resonated deeply with me. I understood his struggles, as I grew up with limited resources in a rural community in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Socioeconomic factors shouldn't determine access to healthcare or quality of life. Yet, our circumstances, such as availability of food, finances, family responsibilities, skin tone, accent, etc. affect our health.

With this background, witnessing others suffer from such circumstances fuel my determination to create change.

My journey from rural Laos to Thailand to the Netherlands and the U.S. has been one of opportunity and growth. The world has given me a lot of opportunities.

Now, as an active community member, I strive to give back.

For me, inclusivity starts with understanding and acceptance. By embracing our differences and learning from one another, we create a culture of belonging.

Souk Sengsaisouk

At Mayo Clinic, I've found a place where diversity is celebrated, everyone's voice is valued, and my background is acknowledged and understood.

It's this sense of belonging that fosters collaboration and drives me to promote inclusivity.

For me, inclusivity starts with understanding and acceptance. By embracing our differences and learning from one another, we create a culture of belonging. It's about listening, offering support, and allowing everyone to express themselves fully without fear of judgment.

My work is driven by a desire to understand and uplift others. While my dream is to improve healthcare on a larger scale, personal connections like the one I had with the patient remind me of the importance of empathetic care.

Together, through empathy and inclusion, we can make a difference in the lives of others.