My name is Beneen Salim, and from a young age, I have been driven by a passionate desire to heal and nurture the youngest among us. Growing up in war-torn Iraq, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of inadequate healthcare, particularly on children and women. These experiences didn’t just shape me, they evoked an unwavering passion within me to become a pediatrician. My dream is not just a career goal but a mission to transform lives and bring hope to those who need it most.
Back in Iraq, the healthcare system has led to devasting impacts on the community. Continuous conflict and a fragile economy have led to a dire situation where essential medical services are scarce. This crisis disproportionately affects the most vulnerable demographic- children and women. The rising number of deaths each year due to insufficient healthcare is a heart-wrenching statistic that I am determined to change. Children, who are the future of any nation, suffer the most. The lack of access to pediatric care means that preventable diseases often become fatal.
My career path excited me because it is not about treating illnesses; it’s about giving children the chance to grow up healthy and achieve their potential. The thought of being a pediatrician fills me with a sense of purpose. I envision myself providing medical care comfort and hope to both children and their families. The ability to alleviate pain and contribute to a child’s well-being is incredibly fulfilling and drives me every day.
In the future, I plan to work as a doctor in the United States, where I can hone my skills and gain valuable experience. However, my ultimate goal extends beyond my practice here. I am committed to giving back to my roots by funding and establishing a hospital in Iraq. This facility will employ certified medical staff dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare to the local population. I aim to create a safe haven where children and women can receive the care they need.
Supporting women’s empowerment is also a crucial aspect of my vision. In many parts of Iraq, women face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. By ensuring that a hospital offers specialized services for women, I hope to contribute to their empowerment. Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and by providing it, we can help women lead healthier lives and support their families and communities more effectively.
To prepare for this journey, I plan to attend a 4-year university and actively seek opportunities that immerse me in pediatric care through volunteer work and internships. Currently, I am involved in advocacy efforts, working with organizations dedicated to healthcare improvements and women’s rights both locally and internationally. These experiences are shaping me into a well-rounded individual, equipping me with the knowledge, empathy, and leadership skills necessary to drive meaningful change in healthcare and champion the rights of women and children.
Becoming a pediatrician is more than a career aspiration; it is a heartfelt commitment to addressing the healthcare disparities that I have witnessed throughout my life. By working in the United States, I will gain the expertise needed to make a profound impact, and my ultimate goal is to establish a hospital in Iraq that provides much-needed medical care to children and women. This journey is about creating a legacy of compassion, health, and empowerment, ensuring that the most vulnerable receive the care they deserve by fostering a healthier future for communities near and far.
When I was younger, I enjoyed reading the bumper stickers on passing cars. The stickers that struck me the most read “No Farms, No Food, Know your Farmer, Know your Food” or “Support Local Farms” or “Be Your Own Farmer.” I felt like these bumper stickers meant something important to our world and I wanted to be a part of it! I had an advantage. My grandfather is a third-generation farmer. I was blessed to be able to explore his farm and the different ways he encouraged the community to be a part of his farm. My favorite place was the farm petting zoo. I would spend my weekends during the busy season showing off the goats, rabbits, and chickens. I was proud to be able to share my passion with others. As I got older, I decided to embrace my passion and I enrolled in the Agricultural Sciences program at the Cecil County School of Technology. Through this program, I was able to visit a variety of local agricultural industries and farms. It opened my eyes to a life that I had only thought was possible in my dreams! I was drawn to the daily care and management of livestock, especially cows and goats. I learned about different ways local farms can impact the health of their communities and help to reduce food insecurity. I wanted to be part of the solution to so many problems facing my community. What if I could make a difference in the daily lives of those living near me? What if I could give another little girl the opportunity to dream about being a farmer too?
My dream is to have my own dairy farm where I can use sustainable practices to increase access to affordable food and provide health care alternatives to my community. My dream includes working with local food banks to supply fresh dairy products to those in need, working with local universities and health-based research groups to find ways to use livestock to provide insulin and other medical products at lower costs to those in need, and sharing real world experiences with youth from my community through school and youth program activities. I want to spend my days sharing my passion for the outdoors and inspiring others to be future farmers of America, especially young women.
My dream is to support other women reach their dreams in agriculture and livestock by working at a grassroots educational level. I want to offer experiential education programs through the local school system, FFA, and 4-H clubs to empower other girls like me to pursue careers in agriculture. Having hands-on opportunities to learn about caring for cows, pigs, and goats will allow other girls to learn and love working with large animals. I would like to be an adult leader to girls in 4-H and FFA to ensure that their interest in livestock is fueled by a positive role model. By sharing and modeling local and sustainable practices with young women in my community, they will be empowered to be an agricultural leader in their own way. Agriculture needs strong women leaders as much as strong women leaders need agriculture.
