Mackenzie is founder, president, and chairman of the board for Mackenzie’s Mission. She provides leadership, sets the strategic direction and oversees the execution of all aspects of the foundation.
This past year she devoted her time largely to Mackenzie’s Mission and the work of the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau. Outside of the foundation she continues her travels. She is now working towards her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies at her alma mater, Northeastern University, with the anticipation of graduating in the Fall of 2024.
Previously, Mackenzie finished a two-year term as a research associate at Harvard Medical School, investigating a novel cell culturing technique for breast cancer.
Additionally, for a number of years she was a student observer at Inova Fairfax Hospital, observing surgeries and outpatient visits in their orthopedic trauma department. While at Northeastern University, she was an active member of GlobeMed for four years and led a trip to their longstanding partner organization in Uganda, focused on identifying and addressing water and sanitation needs of rural communities. Mackenzie shadowed several surgeons for three weeks at Life Gaborone Private Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. She has co-authored two publications in the Journal of Global Public Health and a third publication while working at Harvard Medical School. She co-authored a chapter titled “The Impact of AL Amyloidosis: The Patient Experience” published in Systemic Amyloidosis Due to Monoclonal Immunoglobulins. Most recently, she co-authored “Evaluating the Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau: the influence of amyloidosis patients’ narratives on medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intent,” published on PubMed.
Mackenzie graduated Cum Laude from Northeastern University, earning a B.S. in Health Science with a Minor in Biology.