Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care

My goal from when I was five has always been the same: help others heal. This has been the driving force behind being a physical therapy aide, an EMT, a combat medic, an acupuncturist, and now as a nursing student. With my end goal of being a Nurse Practitioner and a medical officer in the military, I plan to improve the quality of care for soldiers both on and off the battlefield. My journey in healing began in the National Guard as a combat medic, where I treated soldiers for battlefield injuries. In my civilian life, I was an EMT and provided similar care as a medic, where we stabilized the patients and got them to the next stage of care. Later, as a physical therapy aide, I helped treat patients in rehab and long-term care. Finally, as a 5th generation acupuncturist, I learned that healing isn’t just physical, it’s holistic, and can encompass energetic and emotional healing and balance. As a Nurse practitioner, I plan to bridge Eastern and Western medicine; this combination of modern medicine and ancient healing traditions can offer patients more comprehensive and holistic care. I especially want to serve veterans and soldiers, people who often carry both physical injuries and mental scars long after their service is over. My ultimate goal is to return to the military as a medical officer, bringing my unique skillset back to the people who shaped me and giving back to my brothers and sisters in arms. Beyond practicing medicine, I want to educate people about the effectiveness of acupuncture and holistic medicine. Too many patients aren’t aware of alternative therapies that could dramatically improve their quality of life. They are not aware that acupuncture can treat withdrawal, insomnia, trauma, stress, pain, and a myriad of other issues that veterans and civilians all face. I hope to spread that knowledge and educate people through community workshops, teaching, and maybe even starting a clinic one day so that more people can access the healing they deserve. Additionally, as someone of low income, I also want to host free health fairs where I can provide complimentary treatments to give back to the community and inspire the next generation. This scholarship would not just help me financially but also validate the values I’ve built my life around. I am committed to serving others by providing the best quality care, and I hope to spend my career lifting others the way so many have lifted me.

For some children, their infancy years were spent in a home filled with toys; my first years were spent in a hospital filled with the wheezing of my mechanical ventilator. When I became old enough to understand what it meant to have a compromised respiratory system, I feared pursuing a career in medicine after the visits to the doctor for myself and my mom when she became mentally and physically disabled during my sophomore year of high school. Despite my medical history, I refused to let it scare me into submission. When caring for mom, my heart sank because her pain eventually became my own. Growing up as an only child, I was always surrounded by her; we had and continue to have a deep connection so when she slowly started feeling unwell during my time in high school, I was hurt. She was fighting physical and mental battles with neuromuscular diseases, ADHD, bipolar depression, and PTSD. Offering a helping hand to my mom’s copious, strenuous tasks propelled me to be there for her and others at crucial medical turning points in their health. Since people may not have the same privilege of having someone at their side, it became my goal to incorporate the importance of mental health in my career plans as an aspiring physician. There is an intimate relationship between the brain and the mind which is why mental health should no longer be overlooked. Diminishing that fear of conversation, that fear of opening up about our feelings is a necessary breakthrough that will revolutionize how medicine is practiced. I want to be a part of that revolution in creating a safe space for people who want to be heard through integrated care management, and getting clinical exposure would assist in expanding my understanding of healthcare. During my first day walking under the soft white lights of the Haider Spine Center, I was met by the hands of a neurosurgeon. My biweekly visits of shadowing Dr. Dennis Cramer offered an experience that surpassed any other: seeing the gratitude spread across each patient's face when they had their pain understood. I was able to learn from him that addressing the pain directly is only half of the battle–the other half starts with addressing the patient’s psychosocial well-being. Dr. Cramer’s attention to this aspect of medicine reassured my understanding of preventative care. Listening to each person’s unique story between appointments and hearing their dialogues with the physician, was inspiring. During critical procedures, I didn't just see a neurosurgeon perform an open discectomy. I saw a guardian angel protecting and healing the patient from afar. It didn't matter if I was retrieving the doctor's paperwork or helping him assist patients with his spine model, I finally felt comfortable in a place I held fear in since my childhood. These moments provided clarity with honing in on a career in medicine. There isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment for every patient but that’s what makes the challenge of this career riveting; you get the chance to find new treatment options by caring for the livelihood of people in the most critical moments of their life. I hold on dearly to my mom’s perseverance through her pain and heed the words of something a patient told me. Grasping my shoulders, looking at me in my eyes, Gloria stated, “Bless your heart for your work and knowledge in wanting to help people like myself.” Those words remind me to continue jumping the hurdles that lie ahead on my path to becoming a physician, with mental health awareness, being the greatest tool in my white coat.

My name is Ava Frey and I am a senior at Shakopee High School in Minnesota seeking a career in Accounting. My post-secondary education plans include attending a four-year university to earn my Bachelor’s degree and work toward my CPA licensure. I am pursuing a career in Accounting because I enjoy working with numbers and spreadsheets. I believe integrity and trustworthiness are important attributes needed to be successful and see it as a rewarding job. The long-term outlook for Accountants is very strong and the field is virtually recession-proof. That promise could one day allow me to go independent and start my own firm should the opportunity present itself. Over my high school career, I believe I have proven myself to be a very capable student and team leader. I am someone that will do what is necessary to meet and exceed expectations in order to get the job done correctly. Currently, I am the President of the National Business Honor Society at my school. This organization prides itself on recognizing outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service of students who are interested in pursuing a career in business. I am also the Founder and President of a new organization called Saber Samaritans, whose mission is to provide services to the community through volunteering. Some of my responsibilities include creating agendas and leading meetings, managing social media accounts, communicating with local organizations, and using spreadsheets to stay organized. In addition to these organizations, I am a manager for the Shakopee High School Girls Hockey Team during the winter, and I also participate in softball year-round. As a leader in multiple extracurricular activities, I have been able to strengthen my organizational and leadership skills through research, working with community leaders, building agendas, creating event schedules, and leading our weekly meetings. Using my strengths and passions for good has allowed me to develop a sense of social responsibility and commitment to my community. A way I plan to gain knowledge in my field and give back to the community is to work with nonprofits. I have a good deal of experience with nonprofits and many are in need of financial expertise to help them manage their resources and understand their financial capabilities. I can take a hands-on approach and provide guidance by helping them manage their accounts, setting up financial systems, and providing audits. In my career, one of the main goals I wish to accomplish is to educate others on financial literacy as it is an important factor in future success. Through my duties as an Accountant, I will understand and teach others the importance of responsible financial practices and regulatory compliance through my knowledge and experience to spread awareness of budgeting and sound financial practices. Through my networks, I will advocate for financial reform on a local or global level, especially when it comes to economic inequality. This could mean lobbying for tax breaks for low-income earners or speaking out against corporate tax evasion. I can also use my expertise to mentor younger professionals who are just starting their careers, or students who are interested in Accounting. I will achieve this by teaching classes at local schools, offering free workshops for adults, or doing presentations at professional events. This scholarship will bring me a step closer to continuing my passion for serving underprivileged communities during college. I will be able to develop strong interpersonal skills and prepare myself as an adult going forward in the real world. It will also allow me to look for new ways to help others and make the world a better place for everyone.

My name is Malik Myles and my life has been a roller coaster experience. I am the middle child and the only boy of three. I was born into a single-parent household. I never had or met my father which brewed up a lot of anger, confusion, and guilt when I was younger. I spent the majority of my life trying to find out if I belonged anywhere. It took me many years to accept the things I couldn't change and how to live life to the fullest without my hardships holding me back. Throughout my life, I didn't have anyone to look up to and follow. I found myself creating a path for myself. I knew deep down that there had to be more children who were just like me. Especially in my school. How many students grow up in a single-parent household and struggle to get by every day? I wanted to be a change-maker throughout my community. My career goal is to become an Educational Psychologist and School Counselor. Growing up I wish I had someone in my school that could see that my performance was mostly affected by my lifestyle at home. There should be more resources available that target troubled students. That is one thing I want to accomplish. I want to be not only a school counselor but also to be a resourceful community leader. I want to be the person that ensures that families have everything they need for students to reach their full potential. Whether it be helping parents find suitable jobs and careers, helping families find food and shelter, or even helping families learn financial literacy. Another avenue I would love to pursue would be to study law and government so that I can one day be on the city council board and be a bridge between the poorer parts of my community from where I live and the city officials who have power. There are not enough people from my community who represent the city. There are not many people who can relate to the citizens on a personal level. The current board members don't take enough time to evaluate and build relationships with the people. They make life-changing decisions without gaining insight. To me, that needs to change, effective immediately! I want to be remembered as someone who inspired and achieved. I want to be remembered as someone who loved and cared for everyone he encountered. I want to be remembered as me.

I want to save lives. Being a Biology major may seem not at all exciting or as heroic as people might consider but for me, it’s one step further into creating a change I want to see in the world. Since my early years in middle school, becoming a doctor has always been a long-term goal of mine. It may seem completely mundane to declare that, “I want to be a doctor when I grow up!”, but for me, it's much more than that. I strive to fulfill my childhood passion of being a doctor or more specifically speaking, a general surgeon. Being a part of the medical field isn’t just about getting the title of “Dr. Asim.” Well honestly speaking, it is in some sort of manner but more about gaining that level of honor/respect. Growing up, I was always taught that “don’t run towards money, instead strive to gain that level of respect and everything else that is meant for you will come at the right time.” Originating from a Pakistani society in which women are never acknowledged for their hard work or considered equal in accordance to the men, becoming a doctor is the most ground-shattering step that I can take. I want to be a beacon of hope for all those Pakistani girls that are told they cannot pursue the same careers as the boys. The reality of reaching my goal of becoming a doctor is so I am able to help people, as cliche as that may sound. It’s more about than just being a medical official but someone that cares about the well-being of their patients and coworkers. I aspire to create a nurturing environment for my patients, so they feel safe and secure in terms of their welfare. Patients should never feel like a burden to their doctors and instead be comfortable to inform them about their concerns, but also feel heard. My patients would be given a voice, in accordance with respect to their personal boundaries and never feel neglected. That is one of my most sought out long-term goals after becoming a doctor. By pursuing Biology as a major, it’s just one step further into becoming a doctor who wants to make a positive change in the medical field and an impactful difference that will not only aid my patients in their journeys but also enhance my work environment for a well-maintained support for my co-workers. Saving lives doesn’t just mean literally saving lives (of course that is crucial), but also being there for my patients in the midst of saving them from their own struggles. That is how I will save lives as a Pakistani woman.

"Change is the law of life. And those who look to the past or present are certain to miss the future." My name is Lavon McGee and that quote by John F. Kennedy is a perfect example of how I learned to view the world. Growing up in Miami, Florida, I was able to witness and meet multiple individuals who come from different backgrounds. Some of them were similar to my own and some were the complete opposite but throughout my life they each have helped to shape where I go in the future. I was raised in Overtown. A poor area of Miami with a high crime rate. Both my parents were in there senior year of high school when they found out they were having me. They each worked hard to be able to support me but for a majority of my life we were struggling. Sometimes till this day we still do. During times like those my grandfather would always ask "what do you want to be when you grow up?" The answer was usually "I don't know" for at least 2 years. Then he asked "what career fits your personality, what would make you happy?" I briefly thought about it for a moment and the answer I came up with was lawyer. Lawyers are clever, passionate, calm, and well educated (most of the time). In the back of my mind I knew that being lawyer was the best career that could make me happy and more importantly useful to my community. Many of the most infamous cases in U.S history has led to changes that affected the country from roe v. Wade to brown v. the board of education. By being a federal criminal defense attorney I hope to inspire a new change that doesn't focus on politics but rather the rights we have as U.S citizens and more importantly, human beings. Too many times has this generation seen fighting in white house and capital that got nothing done for the American people. In the courtroom I feel I genuinely can make a difference not just for myself, but rather a precedent for the entire country. Hopefully someday, it could be the world. The U.S is a leading force in the world when it comes to quality of life and social purposes, however, we are not even in the top 15 countries of that category. Our country whose core principle is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness can not agree on how to move forward which is holding the nation back from being the leader it could be. I would like the judicial branch not fall to same level and continue being a shining light that hopefully can shape the world. This dream of mine only seems possible now with help from scholarships like yours. With or without It I know I will strive to best of my ability to work hard and reach my goal. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to listen and getting to know my story. I also want to thank Robert F. Lawson for his time serving