We recently connected with Sarah George and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity is the spark that fuels progress, and in my journey as a future OB/GYN, I have nurtured it through advocacy, research, and education, each woven into my initiatives addressing menstrual health.
Through advocacy, I bring menstrual health to the forefront of conversation, using my platform as Miss Kansas City International 2024-25 to destigmatize periods. By engaging with communities, policymakers, and medical professionals, I creatively shape the narrative around menstrual equity, ensuring it is not just acknowledged but acted upon.
Research, too, has been a canvas for my creativity. From investigating the role of medical student learning in the operating room with sound interference to thematic analyses on chronic pelvic pain, I seek to unravel the intricate, often-overlooked realities of women’s health and surgery. This intellectual curiosity fuels innovation—each question I ask, each data point I analyze, strengthens my ability to advocate for better patient outcomes.
Education is the foundation of sustainable change, and I have used creative means—whether through symposium presentations, the Miss America Organization, or policy discussions—to ensure menstrual health is understood beyond the confines of textbooks. By integrating storytelling, lived experiences, and medical knowledge, I make complex issues both accessible and compelling.
Ultimately, creativity in medicine is not about reinvention but about reimagination—reimagining how we treat, educate, and advocate. By blending science with compassion, data with dialogue, and research with outreach, I keep my creativity alive, ensuring that menstrual health is not an afterthought, but a priority.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Sarah George is a medical student, researcher, advocate, and the reigning Miss Kansas City International 2024-25, using her platform to bring menstrual health equity into the spotlight. As a future OB/GYN with a passion for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), Sarah is on a mission to ensure that menstrual health is no longer a taboo topic but a fundamental part of healthcare conversations.
What makes Sarah’s work so exciting is the way she merges medicine, advocacy, and public engagement to create real change. Through her initiative, “Menstrual Health Equity for Every Cycle. Period.”, she educates communities, fights period poverty, and challenges the stigma surrounding menstruation. Her advocacy extends beyond social platforms—she collaborates with policymakers, engages with medical professionals, and participates in research aimed at improving women’s health outcomes.
Beyond advocacy, Sarah is an accomplished researcher and public speaker. She has presented at national conferences, conducted research on pelvic pain, reproductive health, and OR communication, and works directly with experts to improve healthcare for women. Her ability to communicate complex medical topics in an engaging and accessible way has made her a leader in both medical and public spaces.
As Miss Kansas City International, Sarah represents a new era of beauty with impact—where a title is not just about the crown but about the cause. She is actively preparing for Miss Missouri International, aiming to expand her reach and bring her message to a larger audience. Her goal is to bridge the gap between medicine and advocacy, ensuring that every person, regardless of background, has access to menstrual health resources, education, and care.
Exciting things are ahead for Sarah, including speaking engagements, competing for Miss Missouri, and further research in women’s health. She invites everyone to join her in breaking the silence, ending period poverty, and creating a future where menstrual health is a priority for all.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three key qualities have shaped my journey: resilience, communication, and purpose-driven advocacy. Each has played a pivotal role in my ability to balance medical school, research, and my platform as Miss Kansas City International 2024-25, allowing me to create meaningful change in menstrual health equity.
1. Resilience: Turning Challenges into Strength
Medical school, research, and advocacy are all demanding in their own ways. Resilience has allowed me to push forward when faced with obstacles—whether it was navigating rigorous coursework, conducting complex research, or challenging deeply ingrained societal stigmas around menstrual health. I’ve learned that setbacks aren’t failures; they’re opportunities to adapt and grow.
Advice: Build resilience by embracing challenges as learning experiences. Surround yourself with mentors who inspire you, and remind yourself of your “why” when things get tough. Persistence is key—your impact is built over time, not overnight.
2. Communication: Bridging Medicine and Advocacy
As a National Speech & Debate Champion, a researcher, and an advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how effective communication can elevate ideas and inspire change. Whether I’m presenting at a medical conference, explaining a complex research study, or speaking on menstrual health equity, the ability to translate knowledge into action is essential.
Advice: Hone your communication skills by practicing public speaking, writing, and engaging in discussions that challenge your perspective. The best communicators listen as much as they speak—seek to understand before being understood.
3. Purpose-Driven Advocacy: Making a Difference with Passion
My passion for menstrual health advocacy is deeply personal. Being born through IVF has fueled my commitment to helping others experience the joy of parenthood, and my platform, “Menstrual Health Equity for Every Cycle. Period.”, is about ensuring that no one is held back by menstrual stigma or lack of resources.
Advice: Find your purpose by identifying what truly drives you. Whether it’s advocacy, research, or patient care, let your passion guide you. Get involved in initiatives that align with your values, and never be afraid to be the voice for those who need it most.
For those just beginning their journey, remember that success is built on perseverance, clarity of purpose, and the courage to speak up. Stay curious, stay passionate, and never underestimate the power of your voice—it has the potential to change lives.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was believe in me, wholeheartedly and without hesitation. Their unwavering support gave me the confidence to pursue a career in medicine, step onto national stages as an advocate, and push forward even when faced with challenges.
They never told me my dreams were too big or my ambitions too unrealistic. Instead, they nurtured my curiosity, encouraged my drive, and instilled in me the resilience to overcome obstacles. Whether it was supporting my decision to enter UMKC’s accelerated BA/MD program, standing by me as I pursued research and advocacy in women’s health, or celebrating my role as Miss Kansas City International, they made sure I knew that I was capable of making a difference.
Most importantly, they taught me that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about impact. Their values of compassion, hard work, and service are at the core of everything I do, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFfzTlnRuwD/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.george.583234/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmarygeorge/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahgeorge5878
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