When I was 7 years old my dad was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy. My dad was born and raised in the Philippines and they believe his condition possibly stemmed from something he came into contact with there. Throughout the 18 years since his diagnosis I have followed his medical journey. We are blessed to live just outside of Cleveland, Ohio which is home to some of the most amazing hospitals in the nation. I have spent countless hours at the Cleveland Clinic's main campus while my dad has underwent tests, treatments, and lengthy hospital stays. It was a scary time for my family but we don't look back on that time with sadness or ill feelings. It was during that time specifically that I found my interest and passion of pursing a degree in a medical field. We had some of the best doctors, certified nurse practitioners, and nurses caring for my dad and quite honestly for our entire family. I came to realize that working in medicine isn't just caring for the patient but it's also showing empathy and concern for the family as well. I was so touched and motivated by the caregivers at the Cleveland Clinic that I soon realized that when I went to college that fall I was going to pursue a pre-med degree in Biology. I found myself spending hours a day during those weeks sitting with him in the hospital since I was now on my summer break and had extra time. I enjoyed talking to his nurses and learning more about his condition and test results from the doctors and CNP's. It was their mentoring and compassion that brought me to where I am today.
Much of my college experience was during the pandemic but I did achieve my degree with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. I immediately got a job at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in a research lab where I have worked ever since. An aspect of my job that I love focuses primarily on understudied and underserved populations of individuals diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I look at survival and treatment disparities amongst different racial and ethnic groups that might be caused by biological factors and/or socioeconomic factors. One of my favorite aspects of my job is that I get to visit patients and enroll them in our clinical trials. I love the interaction with the patients and it's why I am continuing my journey to work in medicine.
I recently enrolled in an ABSN program through Xavier University and started school again just a few weeks ago. My plan is to finish the BSN degree in December of 2025. At that time I'd like to find a nursing position where I can start pursing my passion. My plan is to then continue on to become a certified nurse practitioner. My vision of myself as a nurse in the future is to be the type of caregiver that was there for my dad. I want to be someone who takes excellent care of the patient, listens to them intently, and is there for the family members as well. I believe as a Filipino\American that I can relate to under-represented populations and that my level of empathy and kindness will truly touch everyone I work with.
A man, his face grizzled by years of hardship, gazes at me. “It’s my foot,” he says distraught, “If it busts open again, I won’t be able to work. I almost lost my land and my truck, and I need to pay my daughter’s rent.” The doctor I’m shadowing is quick to ask questions, and after being asked, the man peeled his compression sock off, revealing an awful bruised-red foot. He got help, but many do not.
This example of suffering is all too common in my rural southeast Ohio community. I hail from Athens County. Poverty rate: 30.6%, one of the highest in all of Ohio. But Athens is more than my hometown, it is my home. Though the challenges to this population may be disheartening to others, my community's needs continue to fuel my motivation. So I wish to remain, study medicine, become a doctor, and work to serve my community.
That is why I strive to become an osteopathic primary care physician. I plan to study at Ohio University and later, the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine to stay in Athens and help serve my struggling community as a doctor.
The need for more doctors in my community is incredibly apparent. Many times my family has had to travel all the way to Columbus, an hour-and-a-half drive away, just to see a doctor. By awarding me this scholarship, you aid the fight against illness and injury in Ohio’s most impoverished rural community.
As a child, I would thumb through children’s books that explored different parts of the human body. I would be amazed at the intricacies that make up who we are. I didn’t know it then, but looking back, it’s obvious that I always wanted to become a physician.
The reason human anatomy, physiology, and biology fascinate me is not just the scientific aspect of it (though that does play a big role), but it is because it is the study of us, people. I am amazed by how our bodies are designed. How are our bodies made to keep us alive? And how can we use medicine to fix and prevent issues in our bodies? That is what I desire to study through Ohio University and later, medical school.
On that note, I feel that Osteopathic medicine is the right path for me. It’s logical to treat the body holistically, as one unit with parts that interconnect in vastly intricate ways instead of just treating specific issues as if they were isolated.
I am looking forward to continuing my education through Ohio University and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. I hope that you assist in my journey to heal the sick and injured in my small-town, southeast Ohio community. Thank you so much for your consideration.
I grew up in a family that struggled with chronic health issues. My father had diabetes and my mother had hypertension, and I watched them navigate the complex healthcare system with frustration and confusion. As the eldest child, I became their advocate and learned firsthand the challenges that patients face in accessing quality healthcare.
These experiences inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of patients like my parents and help them navigate the healthcare system with confidence and understanding. I am passionate about the field of medicine because it allows me to combine my love of science with my desire to help others.
During my undergraduate studies, I majored in biology and volunteered at a local hospital. I shadowed physicians in various specialties and participated in research projects that focused on understanding the underlying causes of chronic diseases. These experiences helped me develop a deeper understanding of the complexity of healthcare and the importance of a patient-centered approach to medicine.
One area of medicine that particularly interests me is cardiology. My mother's struggles with hypertension and heart disease made me acutely aware of the devastating impact that cardiovascular disease can have on individuals and their families. I am fascinated by the intricacies of the cardiovascular system and the potential for advances in this field to improve patient outcomes.
In addition, my life experiences have shaped my interest in promoting health equity. I am deeply committed to addressing the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes that disproportionately affect underserved communities. I believe that every patient deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity.
My experiences have also taught me the value of empathy and compassion in healthcare. As a physician, I want to provide not just medical care but also emotional support and understanding to my patients. I believe that building strong relationships with patients is essential to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. My goal is to serve the underserved in Ohio as a practicing physician and help patients like my parents.
In conclusion, my life experiences have inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and have shaped my interest in cardiology and health equity. I am passionate about combining my love of science with my desire to help others and believe that medicine is the perfect field for me to do so. With the help of this scholarship, I can continue my education and achieve my goal of making a meaningful difference in people's lives. Thank you for considering my application.
