Natasha Trepeta at her senior project gallery night posing with her poster, essentially detailing what her project is about. She wore professional attire while answering questions from others about her senior project on Feb 4, 2025. Photo used with permission from Natasha Trepeta

Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

For Natasha Trepeta, a senior with a passion for women’s health, this issue hits close to home. 

“Reproductive healthcare is very much a medical practice that women in different developing countries and women of poor socioeconomic statuses do not have adequate access to,” Natasha said. 

Natasha, who is pursuing a career as an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), feels strongly about this issue. She plans to focus on helping women during their pregnancies, particularly those who may face higher risks such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. She knows that access to quality prenatal care can make a huge difference in a woman’s experience during pregnancy.

Through research and discussions with medical professionals, Natasha has gained a deeper understanding of the barriers that many women face when seeking prenatal care. 

“I want to help new parents, guarantee them a safe delivery, and help them get started in their parenting journey,” Natasha said. “But what’s really troubling is how the healthcare system treats women differently depending on their socioeconomic status.”

Natasha finds the social and economic differences in healthcare especially concerning. Wealthy women often have access to the best care, while women from lower-income backgrounds struggle to find resources. 

“There’s such a huge difference in care between women who are wealthy and women who are in poverty, and it’s an important discussion we need to have,” she said. “It’s not just about health; it’s about fairness.”

Natasha hopes to continue advocating for maternal health equity beyond high school, using her future medical career to push for systemic changes. 

For Natasha, her journey into OB-GYN is driven by a desire to make a real impact on women’s lives, ensuring they have the resources they need to stay healthy and safe. 

“My hope as a doctor is to help close the gap in healthcare access and support women,” Natasha said.