Medford Volunteer Ambulance Aspiring Healthcare Hero’s Scholarship

Volunteer Experience: - Youth Church Volunteer (7 Yrs) - National Honor Society Vice President (1 Yr) - Spanish Honor Society (2 Yrs) - Tri-M (1-2 Yrs) - Key Club / Kiwanis(3 Yrs) Hobbies: - Science Olympiad President - Math Team Treasurer - All-County Trumpet Player - Varsity Boys Track Captain - Playing Trumpet for community events such as Patchogue's Veterans Day - Virtual Medical Shadowing Program “Jewish-American Princess” - a stereotypical well-to-do or spoiled American Jewish girl. As a black woman in a predominately white medical field, it was apparent that my grandmother wasn’t welcome. In fact, in addition to being exposed to the stressful and fast-paced work environment of a hospital while providing for her family, she fell victim to constant discrimination from not only her co-workers but her patients as well. Hearing that she was called a “Jewish-American Princess” on a daily basis as a Christian Jamaican immigrant who had constantly toiled in order to create a better life for herself and her family felt nothing short of unjustified. Her solution to all of the social and mental obstacles in her path was to advocate for herself, ensuring that she would be seen and heard as well as remaining persistent despite those spited her. As a result, she was not only been promoted to the head of her department but gained the respect of those around her. This led to the further prosperity of the hospital in an area where citizens desperately needed it. The benefits of diversity lie within the creative ideas held by those from different backgrounds. One of its countless benefits lies in the seeds professionals leave behind for generations to come. Setting an example for aspiring youth in their desired line of work gives them a goal to work towards and eventually surpass all while promoting creativity and a larger perspective when developing innovations that break ground in the field. These seeds ultimately bear fruit, although we may not be there to see them flourish. We build upon each other, gaining inspiration from those who came before us unless the seeds of the next generation have no one to help them mature into what they can be. One imperative issue of this generation proves to be a lack of discipline. It’s human nature to dream of great achievements but the initial pitfalls and difficulties have discouraged potential doctors, astronauts, and presidents from varying cultures, from maturing into the leaders of tomorrow. Without anyone to guide them, limitless potential and skill hidden within our youth waste away over the years. Currently, within the medical field, African Americans make up a discouraging 6%. In the future, I’d like to serve as an example for aspiring students, ideally through creating or working with an organization oriented towards working with POC students who wish to enter the medical field. That way, I can contribute to ensuring that the talents and abilities of the future won’t go unwasted and instead be put to use to create a future where we won’t have to wait long to see the impact we have upon not just the world, but each other.

When my baby sister passed away at only one month old, it left my family in shambles. I saw the way that my mother, someone who was always so strong and supportive when everyone else needed her, broke down completely. This was one of the first and most impactful moments of my childhood that sparked my passion to pursue psychology, as I realized the importance of mental health services in our society today, especially in the hispanic community. In hispanic culture, more often than not, it is frowned upon to talk about mental health struggles, as these issues are seen as things that should be kept secret or that individuals should simply “get over”. This explains why, growing up, I had never seen my mother cry, as she had these ideas drilled into her from a young age that she cannot struggle with her mental health, or she is weak. Furthermore, I have handled my own weight of mental health issues, which I never felt comfortable sharing with my family or seeking help for. Now, at 18 years of age, I have finally been diagnosed with autism, as well as depression and anxiety. If mental health issues and being medicated were normalize in my culture, I may have received my diagnosis much earlier in my childhood. I would have had accommodations and aid to help me navigate life on a more level playing field as my peers. I have always felt odd and isolated, and it’s because I did not receive treatment and accommodations I deserved. All children, and especially hispanic and POC children, deserve proper mental care, treatment and medication despite stigmatism surrounding such in the community. My goal when I go to medical school is to specialize in autism, so I can help teens and adults like me, especially in my culture, who did not receive proper diagnosis or treatment when they were children. Intervention and accommodation in young autistic children’s lives is imperative, and the possibility that I would be able to help those who did not receive such care would mean the world to me and make an important change. These issues I see in my culture are the primary reason I want to pursue psychology, to hopefully be even a small part of the change to normalize mental health services among the hispanic community and let people know that they should not be afraid to reach out when they need help.

I am a recently graduation high school student who is pursuing a career in biology. I attended high school in Long Island, New York but my school was never very science oriented. They focused their funds on buying more football equipment and fancy chairs for after-school events. I was always eager to go to science class and listen to what new topics we were learning. I was always interested in science and discovering how our world created things beyond what the eye can see. However, my teachers were primarily interested in getting through the criteria to make sure we were able to pass our exams. It wasn't enough for me to know the basics because I wanted to know more. I knew that I wanted to go into a field of science but when it comes to jobs in the field, you're never told of many opportunities besides being a doctor or performing medical tests in a lab. Oddly enough, I discovered the job I wanted by watching a television show. The show Bones was about a forensic anthropologist that worked with the FBI to convict murderers and criminals. I was in awe and I still hang on to every word that she said. Listening to the way the human body works amazed me and I knew this is what I wanted to do. This character was so passionate about what she did and she was brilliant. This made me want to be just like her. She was so powerful that she was able to give the voices back to people that had their voices taken away from them. I want to be able to get justice for people that aren't able to do it for themselves. It might sound like a dark and gruesome job, and in some ways it is, but I find it enlightening. We are always told that death is the end and we have no way to communicate our grief or worries after our life comes to an end. But the body has ways of expressing itself even after a person's heart stops beating. There are different chemicals in the body and different markings that can almost take you back in time to discover everything that happened to a person throughout their life. These are the things that interest me and I can't wait to learn all the answers I'm looking for. I'm going to give people back their voices who aren't able to get the justice they deserve.

The lights and sirens have me mesmerized. The adrenaline running through my veins, my heart pounding, my body nearly shaking in excitement. It might be surprising to think that I am overjoyed with an ambulance call, but to me, it is more than just “another boring call.” The fact that I get to meet someone new, and help them with whatever is going on, means the world to me. The best part of my night is hearing the alarm saying that someone needs help. Watching the ambulance lights reflect off of the roads and buildings as we drive down to a location I don’t know. Putting on gloves is a simple task but it makes me beam. Carrying a LifePak 15, oxygen tank, and a BLS bag that drags me down, I lift them all as if they were feathers. If it is a long driveway or rough terrain, I continue to stride towards the patient with confidence. Once the patient is assessed and ready to transport, it is time to shine. Inside the ambulance with the patient is a brand new adventure. Even if the call requires advanced skills of the paramedic, I hold the patient's hand or comfort them through conversation about something they are interested in. Sometimes it is easy to tell what a patient likes to talk about, especially when they wear sports merchandise. Other times you have to figure out their personality in a more complicated manner. How did the patient react to you being there? Or maybe what are they feeling at this moment? Asking them questions about themselves, or their family, or about their pets is a good distraction to the needles in their arms. Conversation is the easiest way to gain a patient’s trust. One of my favorite memories was taking a man with dementia to the hospital after a fall. This situation was certainly not his best moment, so I observed his room and noticed he had a lot of images of boats and maps. I questioned him about the artwork, and we had a deep conversation about how he was a sailor. He painted a vision of the vibrant waves in California with the opal dolphins and emerald sea turtles. He explained the challenges of the sea, such as the hardships he faced with storms creating 20 foot waves and the wind nearly capsizing his boat. It’s amazing to think that our thirty minute conversation felt like hours. The fact that he could remember his life experiences and display them with such detail impressed me. This experience made me reflect and understand that healthcare workers really can improve a situation through even the smallest of conversations. There are patients who don't want to talk, but knowing that you are there to help is more than enough. The nights of EMS could be considered busy, but I don’t notice. A normal shift starts at 6 pm and ends at 6 am. There are moments when action begins at 8 pm for respiratory distress. Depending on the situation, a call lasts about an hour. Once the patient is safely in the hospital and we are on our way back to the district, we notice we have another call. Our journey continues where the energy is still high. It feels like we are flying down the highway. Picking up another patient, our job completes once again. The cycle repeats over and over, but it still feels like 8 pm, even though it is 4 am. Listening to the stories of a stranger fills my heart. I found my true purpose, to help others.

Imagine being a healthcare hero, making a real impact on people's lives every single day. It's like possessing a superpower that allows you to heal and care for others in their times of need. Working in the healthcare field places you right at the forefront of the battle to keep individuals healthy, happy, and thriving. From attending to patients' immediate needs to advocating for long-term well-being, you stand as an essential pillar within a collective effort to make the world a better place. But it's more than just a job; it's an opportunity to infuse communities and individuals with positivity, fostering wellness with every action you take. Whether you find yourself in the role of a doctor, meticulously diagnosing ailments and developing treatment plans, or a compassionate nurse providing solace and support to those in pain, your contribution is pivotal. Maybe you're a therapist guiding someone through emotional struggles, or a dedicated technician working behind the scenes to ensure accurate test results each role plays an integral part in the intricate web of healthcare. Your commitment doesn't just affect the present; it serves as the foundation for a healthier future for generations yet to come. The impact of healthcare goes beyond the boundaries of clinics and hospitals. It's a ripple effect that spreads through families, communities, and societies. By embracing the call to healthcare, you're embracing the opportunity to be a catalyst for widespread change, one person at a time. Your actions and expertise have a way of touching lives in ways you might never fully comprehend, instilling hope, and inspiring those around you. So, if you're ready to embark on a fulfilling journey marked by compassion, care, and the ability to enact profound change, then healthcare may just be your true calling. Every step you take, every hand you hold, and every smile you bring radiates positivity, acting as a testament to the extraordinary power of human connection. In a world that often yearns for healing and understanding, your role in healthcare equips you with the tools to make a tangible difference. As you navigate the challenges and triumphs that come with a healthcare career, always remember the lives you touch and the futures you shape. Your dedication to enhancing the well-being of others echoes through time, reminding us all that even amidst uncertainty, there exists a beacon of hope one that is steadfastly committed to brighter, healthier days ahead.