Honorable Shawn Long Memorial Scholarship

My hand shook with excitement as I firmly grabbed hold of the tattered rope. After much anticipation, the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital clinic bell was finally ringing out for me. During my time spent in the clinic, this bell echoed through the halls from time to time. However, this time, it brought my family and I to tears; I was cured of cancer and gifted with life. After winning my battle with cancer, I felt called to help other patients. As a medical intern, I became someone on the other side of the exam room, ready to provide hope and comfort as patients experienced feelings that I understood all too well. Everyone knows that patients depend on their doctors to provide a correct diagnosis and treatment plan, but I know that patients also ask their doctors to offer care, empathy, and positivity. Moments of fear can turn into moments of hope when a patient and physician share a special connection of trust. Fortunately, I experienced this connection centered around trust in the moments of my diagnosis and throughout my cancer journey. One hot and sunny July day, I was taken to the emergency room for what I thought was a broken leg. Much to my surprise, I was whisked away for a spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy. Soon after, my parents and I heard the words we never expected to hear – I had cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Soon, a nurse was clicking the brakes off of my hospital bed and rolling me to the inpatient pediatric cancer unit - my home for the next three months. Unable to walk, weak from side effects, and in excruciating pain, I was unsure and scared of what was to come. Yet, I began to use my trust in God, family, and doctors to overpower any negativity, and I was released from the hospital to begin at-home physical and occupational therapy. I traveled over an hour to the clinic multiple times a week to receive IV chemotherapy through a port in my chest. Three years later, that port became my scar – the physical reminder of the fight I endured and the doctors who helped. My understanding of service and medicine was strengthened last summer when I created a research project at Misericordia University. In partnership with University professors and students, we created an aerobic exercise program to assess the mental and physical effects of aqua therapy on eight visually impaired volunteers. For two months, I observed the adversities of each participant and simultaneously admired their faith. Despite the difficulties, they were hopeful for brighter, healthier lives and trusted in our plan. Equality and trust should be the foundation of any medical relationship. Now, I don’t think about my cancer journey being difficult, but instead, everyday, I think about the hope and strength my doctors inspired. Our special connection will last a lifetime and will be the foundation of my service as a doctor. The day I rang that bell will forever be etched in my mind as the most beautiful day of my life. I know that beating cancer would not be possible without a loving physician by my side, and I want to be that physician for others. I want to celebrate with my patients in moments of joy and offer a shoulder to cry on in moments of difficulty. I live every day knowing that God has given me the chance to make a difference in the world, and I plan on doing just that.