Posh PA Underrepresented Minority Grant

My journey into healthcare began with experiences in my culturally diverse community. Many around me struggled to access proper care due to language barriers, financial limitations, and a lack of understanding of the healthcare system. Witnessing these challenges inspired a deep sense of responsibility in me, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career where I could make healthcare more accessible and compassionate. I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology as the first step toward this goal, but it was my hands-on experience working in healthcare that solidified my passion for medicine. I’ve worked as both a medical assistant and a scribe at an urgent care center, where I’ve documented patient histories, assisted with medical procedures, and managed electronic medical records. These roles taught me the importance of communication and precision in healthcare, but more importantly, they showed me the profound impact that compassionate care can have on someone’s medical experience. One moment that truly shaped my career goals was when I helped an Afghan woman who didn’t speak English and was experiencing complications in her pregnancy. She and her husband were anxious and uncertain about how to communicate their concerns. Acting as her translator and advocate, I ensured her needs were clearly communicated to the healthcare team. By doing so, I helped her feel understood and supported, which made a significant difference in her care. This experience deepened my desire to become a Physician Assistant (PA), where I could play a larger role in improving patient outcomes. As a PA, my primary goal is to improve healthcare accessibility for underserved populations, particularly those facing cultural or linguistic barriers. I have seen firsthand how these barriers can prevent patients from receiving the care they need. Many fear being misunderstood or judged, which discourages them from seeking help. I want to be a provider who not only offers medical expertise but also creates a welcoming environment where every patient feels respected and valued. I am also passionate about addressing healthcare disparities rooted in socioeconomic challenges. At the urgent care center, I have encountered many patients from low-income backgrounds who delay seeking treatment due to financial concerns. This often leads to more serious health issues down the road. As a PA, I plan to work in community clinics where I can advocate for affordable care and educate patients on preventive health. Preventive care empowers patients to take control of their health before problems escalate, and I believe it is one of the most effective ways to improve long-term health outcomes. In addition to patient care, I am excited by the opportunity for lifelong learning that a career as a PA offers. The medical field is always evolving, and I am committed to staying current with advancements to provide the best care for my patients. I also hope to mentor and collaborate with future healthcare professionals to help create a more compassionate and inclusive healthcare system. In summary, my experiences as a medical scribe and assistant have given me a solid foundation in healthcare, but more importantly, they have instilled in me a sense of purpose. I am driven by the desire to make a positive impact as a PA, advocating for patients who need it most and improving healthcare accessibility. Through my commitment to service, education, and patient care, I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the communities I serve.

Growing up, I was drawn to the power of service and the ability to make tangible, positive impacts on people’s lives. As I journey to become a Physician Assistant, my motivation is anchored in a mission: to help bridge healthcare gaps and empower communities through compassion, medical knowledge, and cultural sensitivity. With my extensive healthcare background and dedication to growth, I am excited to contribute meaningfully to the medical field and leave a lasting impact on the lives I touch. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Honors Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Biology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This education has provided me a strong foundation in science and insight into human behavior, an essential skill for healthcare providers. My studies have equipped me with analytical and problem-solving skills for complex medical cases and provided insight into the psychological dimensions of patient care. As a former student researcher in the SCENE Lab, I honed my research and data analysis skills, presenting findings on stress perceptions, a topic I am passionate about addressing in my future practice. My hands-on experience in various healthcare roles has allowed me to engage with patients directly and gain a multifaceted understanding of healthcare systems. As a Patient Care Assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, I had the privilege of providing direct patient care in a fast-paced hospital environment. Working with interdisciplinary teams taught me the importance of communication and collaboration in patient care, helping me develop a holistic approach to patient management. This experience fostered a deeper appreciation for each healthcare role, reinforcing my commitment to continuous learning and adaptability. Additionally, shadowing a PA at Cone Health Wesley Long Hospital in the oncology and hematology departments gave me a firsthand look at the compassion and diligence defining the PA profession. Observing the PA’s attention to detail and personalized care had a profound effect on patients facing challenging diagnoses. This inspired me to pursue a PA career, where I can provide quality care and support to patients in similar situations. My leadership and community outreach work reflect my dedication to positive change. As a Community Service Outreach member with Girls Reaching Out and a Social Media Intern with Have Their Hands, I championed causes ranging from health education to social support for underrepresented populations. These experiences instilled in me a responsibility to advocate for marginalized communities and address healthcare disparities. I aim to integrate this advocacy into my medical career by fostering culturally competent care and promoting preventive health within underserved populations. As a future PA, my vision is to improve access to compassionate, culturally sensitive healthcare. I believe every patient deserves to feel heard, respected, and understood, regardless of background. I plan to use my Haitian Creole language skills to help overcome language barriers, making patients from diverse backgrounds feel more supported. I am committed to staying informed about medical advancements and patient care strategies to provide the best possible care. My journey to becoming a PA is driven by a purpose that transcends personal achievement; I am dedicated to serving as an advocate for health equity, compassion, and empowerment. Through empathy, collaboration, and continuous improvement, I am confident I will make a lasting, positive impact as a PA.

My name is Ahona Chowdhury and I am an Applied Psychology major at New York University planning to minor in Public Health as well. In my family of four and greater extended family, I am the first person to pursue a bachelors degree in the United States. Growing up in Bangladesh for a portion of my teen years, I was exposed to a variety of socioeconomic groups and the inaccessible corrupt healthcare system. I have been inspired by the amazing PAs and medical team who intervened during my mothers breast cancer treatment to pursue a career in healthcare. I want to be a part of a team, to advocate for my patients and to place an emphasis on patient education when I practice. This desire has become more intense for me as in the recent past, I have been diagnosed with PCOS. When I talk about advocating for my options and the importance of women's reproductive health, I see firsthand the stigma and taboo attached with being open and informed about such conditions in minority communities. I am tired of watching my fellow sisters not be informed about their gynecological and sexual health because establishing a connection with healthcare providers due to cultural barriers and understanding is harder as a minority. I am tired of women in my community and minority communities receiving vague consultations and not having detailed and thorough care especially in specific states. I know for a fact my calling is assisting in infertility, ob/gyn clinics in suburban and rural communities where there is a lack of physicians that female patients, especially those that minority ones can connect to. Besides my interest in the profession, I am passionate about mentoring. As a first generation Bangladeshi Muslim, I am currently working with a non profit organization called The Link Scholars. I am currently in the process of mentoring middle and high school students in the New York City as they apply for high school and college admissions. Previously, I have done similar work in mentoring and tutoring peers and younger students at my old high school through college admissions - a few of which actually got into colleges like Vanderbilt or their dream teaching programs. My volunteering experience is not limited to education. I love taking care of people and this translated into working with a nursing home right before college started. I worked with dementia patients alongside occupational therapists to plan recreational activities and exercises. As a pre-health student at New York University who plans to pursue PA school(God willing), I plan to continue to mentor first generation students like me no matter what profession I step into. Additionally, the act of caring for minority communities would naturally translate into my duties as a healthcare worker. I believe I can continue making an impact by being considered for this scholarship, It would mean that I can use it to keep funding for my higher and graduate education to keep making a positive impact in people's lives as well as for my own parents.