Nimunniasia Hengkaul: Passionate Animal Advocate & Future Physician

Nimunniasia Hengkaul, 17, of Stockton, California, is a senior at Stockton Early College Academy, or SECA. Her experiences at SECA and beyond the classroom have prepared her for future leadership.

“I have had the privilege of serving in numerous leadership roles that have shaped who I am. As the mental health committee coordinator for SECA’s Friday Night Live, I have led efforts to promote mental wellness both on campus and at the county and state levels,” Nimunniasia said. “In this role, I have collaborated with various nonprofits, including the California Coalition for Youth, to organize mental health workshops that reached dozens of participants, for which I received a leadership award and a $250 scholarship in recognition of my contributions.

“When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I gained further passion to support others the way her physicians supported her through becoming a leader in the healthcare field. As a student intern at Kaiser Permanente, I helped develop an inclusive and welcoming environment while learning what it truly means to lead with empathy in medicine. I came to understand that being a physician meant considering the whole person and advocating for equity and dignity in every interaction.”

At the City of Stockton Animal Shelter, Nimunniasia served as social media manager and volunteer co-coordinator. “Through these roles, I led public engagement efforts that reached over 350,000 people, raising awareness for adoptable animals and local animal welfare issues,” she noted. “I also mentored dozens of volunteers and helped organize statewide educational and adoption events. While I have always been an animal lover, I deeply care about public health and the impact of animal overpopulation in our community, and I work to prevent issues like mass euthanasia and zoonotic disease through education and outreach.”
Nimunniasia learned about these organizations and was inspired to help through exposure to the Friday Night Live mental health events at school. “I immediately wanted to be part of that movement in both SECA and the community. That’s why I stepped up to coordinate the mental health committee, aiming to uplift and empower youth while emphasizing that mental health matters just as much as physical health.

“I was referred to Kaiser Permanente’s internship program by a physician mentor who saw my passion for care. I joined to gain real-world healthcare experience, but I stayed because of the happiness I felt connecting with patients, because empathy is the heartbeat of medicine.

“Through Key Club, I was introduced to the City of Stockton Animal Shelter. I started as a volunteer and quickly realized how much I wanted to do more. So, I took on leadership positions to expand our reach as an official volunteer, help animals find loving homes and raise awareness about the shelter’s role in promoting public health.”
This opportunity to serve has changed her life. “It has provided me with a multitude of skills that I can pursue and apply in all aspects of my life. Becoming a leader gave me the confidence to speak up for myself and others, which has solidified my academic abilities and relationships with those around me. It has taught me the beauty of gratitude, patience, empowerment, empathy, responsibility and setting an example that can uplift others,” she affirmed.

Nimunniasia’s goal for the future is to become a physician and return to serve her hometown and the wider San Joaquin Valley. “With my education from Stanford University, I hope to come back from medical school to serve as a physician leader in San Joaquin Valley because of the lack of medical professionals in the area. My mother had to travel long distances to receive cancer treatment, which opened my eyes to the healthcare disparities that exist in our region. I want to help fill the gap by providing compassionate, accessible care to the community that raised me.”

As Mother’s Day approaches, Nimunniasia explained how her own mother influenced her academic and leadership journey. “In every sense, my mother is the reason I am where I am today. I witnessed all of her effort and sacrifices to provide me with the resources she never had growing up, empowering me to make her proud and leave an impact on her and the community. Despite every challenge, she’s remained selfless, strong and full of love for everyone she meets. From cooking meals for me, feeding stray animals or running her business as a single mother, she always led with her heart.

“Her sacrifices and tireless support gave me the foundation to work hard and never give up, and she taught me the value of resilience. I strive every day to make her proud through my academic achievements and by becoming someone who serves others with the same warmth and strength she holds. She means everything to me, and I carry her love and lessons in everything I do,” Nimunniasia concluded.