arthur ashe leadership award
Throughout her whole life, Connie Ma has believed in the profound impact that she can have on other individuals and communities through acts of kindness and service. This passion, along with her interest in biology and science, have been the driving forces behind her commitment to volunteer initiatives and desire to pursue medicine.
As such, one of her most significant dedications in this realm has been her involvement in Cardinal Free Clinics, which is a student-led clinic partnered with Stanford Healthcare, that provides free transitional care to those that don’t have a means of obtaining health insurance, or can’t afford to, as well as anyone else who are impacted by barriers to access.
Connie currently works as a Mandarin interpreter, where she helps to bridge the language barrier between Mandarin-speaking patients/families and medical staff. Patient advocacy is a concept that she emphasizes in my mind every time she steps into the clinic, especially for patients that don’t speak English because phrases can often get lost in translation, and she is their voice. In addition, it’s her responsibility to stay with the patient and their family throughout their entire visit to ensure that they feel safe and are comfortable, during which she chats with them to learn more about their stories.
Connie is immensely grateful to have the opportunity to build these relationships with the patients, as well as to provide care that may help relieve their discomfort, even if just by a little.
Medicine is an extremely cooperative field, where all team members must work with each other to provide the highest quality of care for the patients and Connie is a huge believer in teamwork. The collaborative spirit is truly rewarding, as it allows people to work together towards a common goal that transcends the individual and benefits everyone involved.
As a student-athlete, Connie's sport also means a great deal to her. The tennis community is small and very connected, and having grown up in the Bay Area means that families will often come up to Connie after matches and ask about her personal tennis journey. This has given her the privilege to mentor younger players and support them in their own tennis process. It’s offered her a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these kids, helping them to develop skills and spread passion for a sport that she hopes they will grow to love as much as she does. Everything she has learned, as well the bonds she has formed have had a lasting impact on her, and she is grateful to have the honor to guide the next generation.
As Connie reflects on her journey thus far, she is humbled by the countless people who have inspired and supported me along the way. She's had her own share of mentors who have guided her with wisdom and encouragement, as well as friends that have shared in her path. Whether through academic or athletic endeavors, Connie always wants to seek for ways expand her knowledge, skills, and capacity to make a positive difference in the world!
A Quote from the Head Coach
It is with such great pleasure that all of us associated with Stanford Women’s Tennis congratulate Connie Ma for winning the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award.
Having been able to witness in person Arthur’s grace both on and off the court and his desire to make the world a better place, it is very fitting for Connie, who desires more than anything to make her mark as a physician post college, to win this award. Her altruistic goals make her a perfect fit.
As for the specifics of Leadership and Sportsmanship, no one who has ever played Connie would argue with her decorum on the court, her genuine respect for her opponents, while of course maintaining her focus to win for her team. She has personal goals, but they are far outweighed by her desire to serve her team.
Playing at the #1 position her freshman year and reaching the NCAA final was an indication of her immense talent. As a junior and a team captain this past season, she showed desire on the court for her team and became a more vocal advocate and mentor. In all respects, she is an outstanding candidate for this award. - Lele Forood