Meet the Mentor: Crystal Vejar

Email: crystalv@bu.edu
Gender Identity & Pronouns: Female, she/her/Hers
Affinity Groups:  First Generation, Military/Veteran
Race/Ethnicity and/or Nationality: Hispanic
Languages: English, Spanish, some Russian
Hometown: Benson, Utah
Education: Bachelors degree in Biology at Russell Sage College, Troy NY
Industry Interest: Medicine, Surgery, Trauma Medicine

Personal Facts/Hobbies: I’m a Sergeant in the US Army, working as a Surgical Technologist for the past 6 years. I will be returning to the states the first week of September 2023 after a 9 month deployment in Somalia and staying in the Army Reserve for 2 years after, during my MAMS program at BU. In Somalia I lived in a small forward staged post in the desert, full summer camp mode! I slept in a tent, and practiced austere medicine out of a shed, ranging from basic primary care, to surgery in the middle of nowhere with my FRST (Forward resuscitative Surgical team). I spent my time learning and training alongside other Special Forces from the Navy, Army, and Air force.

Outside of the Army I love hiking and camping with my husband and Australian Cattle Dog, mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. I love traveling, and trying new cuisines. I also enjoy gardening when I have the time. I love to live by “Try anything at least once!”, and am constantly looking for new adventures or skills to learn!