Photo: UMass Lowell
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZNewsRadio) - Twin sisters Brenda and Rachel Mains graduated with bachelor's degrees from UMass Lowell's public health program at the height of the global pandemic. With the world on lockdown, the pair were inspired to continue their education, together.
Now that the sisters have earned their master's degrees in public health, they will both soon start new jobs after graduation.
Rachel, who completed an internship at Lowell General Hospital's Regulatory Compliance Department, was inspired to look for opportunities in the regulatory, risk management and quality improvement aspects of health care.
Brenda will soon be working as a patient access representative with Steward Heath Care.
"The education I received from UMass Lowell has been nothing short of amazing," Brenda said. "The professors are so passionate about public health, and it shows in the coursework and in the way they interact with students. They've prepared me well to put my public health skills to work and to always grow and learn."
Through out their six years on campus, the sisters took on various jobs on campus to help pay for their education. During the pandemic, the pair performed Covid-19 surveillance testing on campus, conducted contact tracing and packaged and distributed take-home tests.
The Main sisters grew up in Lowell and are the first in their family to graduate from college. They lost their father to cancer when they were just 11 years old. Their mother raised them and their older brother as a single parent.
"Most people probably wouldn't know the struggles our family has gone through," Brenda said. "Now that we've earned a bachelor's in public health, and a master's degree, it feels surreal. I am really proud and grateful to earn my degrees at UMass Lowell and to accomplish this at 24 years old."
"It will be really nice to have an official ceremony with my mom, our friends and family in the audience as we march across the stage to accept our diplomas." Rachael said. "I'm truly lucky that my sister is my best friend."
Growing up, the pair shared nearly everything from a birthday to a bedroom, clothing and friends, and now they'll share their accomplishments too.
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