Resilient Graduate Awarded SBS Tenacity Prize for Overcoming Adversity: Heather Fry Vasquez, '23

Heather Fry Vasquez, who is graduating with a major in Care, Health & Society, and a psychology minor, is the recipient of the SBS Tenacity Award for fall 2023. This award recognizes a graduating senior in the College of SBS who has persevered in the face of significant adversity to earn their university degree.

During her time in undergraduate studies, Heather endured significant personal loss and life-changing transitions, including becoming the guardian of her 10-year-old sister.  Despite multiple challenges that threatened to derail her goals, she stayed focused and found the fortitude to complete her academic program.

“When life throws everything at you, you have to find the light in your life that inspires and motivates you to keep going,” Heather said. “I am fortunate to have my family as my motivation. This award is for my husband, father, and two sisters. This degree is for those I have lost during my academic career at UArizona: my mother, grandfather, and grandmother.”

No stranger to tenacity, Heather works full-time as an ultrasound technician and holds three associate of arts degrees. When life pitched out one hardship after another, Heather also knew when to take a step back from academics and focus on caring for herself and her family.

Carrie Langley, director of Care, Health & Society, and Shery Crater, assistant director of advising, wrote in their nomination letter that Heather was equally tenacious in the care of her family as she was in academics. “It’s this holistic yet relentless drive that makes Heather unique. In carrying forward with school, family, work, and community service, she has instilled these core values upon her younger sister. As one of the newest UArizona alumni of the Care, Health & Society program, she’s an inspiration to us all.”

Heather has carved out time for joy and unsurprisingly, it is woven into her commitment to community service. Every Saturday, she volunteers her time as an ultrasound technician at a clinic that serves those who can’t afford those services. Primarily, she cares for elderly individuals experiencing vascular issues.

Ultrasound is widely considered a crucial diagnostic tool and Heather aims to enhance the quality of care in vascular ultrasound. She says her plans include pursuing a master's in health administration and establishing her own company.

“I hope to bring great quality vascular care to those who need it and help educate diagnostic medical sonography students to help spread better vascular care,” Heather wrote. “I want to start my own travel ultrasound company to ensure that great quality care.”

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