Sophia Picabo Sather-Schrader from McAlester, Oklahoma, graduated on May 8, 2025, with a Master of Health Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from Augusta University College of Allied Health Sciences.
Sophia is a member of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, Health Occupation Students of America, and the National Honor Society. After passing her board exams, Sophia looks forward to starting her career as a certified clinical laboratory scientist.
“I’m still exploring where exactly I’ll begin. There are so many paths within the field. I’m especially interested in molecular diagnostics or cytogenetics,” Sophia said. “I feel drawn to those areas because of how cutting-edge and impactful they are for patient care.”
According to Sophia, her heart is set on returning to work for the Choctaw Nation at some point in the future.
“Giving back to my community means everything to me, and I want to use what I’ve learned to help improve healthcare for the Choctaw nation. Whether that’s through direct lab work, supporting community health programs, or helping expand access to advanced testing,” said Sophia. “I hope to make a meaningful difference in the world of diagnostics and patient care and for the tribe I’m proud to be a part of.”
Sophia is a part of the Okelley, Sather, Sams, Schrader families. She is pictured with her Choctaw stole and self-beaded graduation cap.