My decision to pursue a career as a physician associate (PA) stems from my desire to combine my passion for healthcare with the drive to serve others. I have chosen this field because of the meaningful impact PAs can have on patients' lives through compassionate care and comprehensive medical knowledge. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in service and resilience, I developed a deep respect for the healthcare profession, which I now see as my calling. My grandmother, born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, was a woman of remarkable strength who emphasized the importance of education. Her pursuit of knowledge in a society that limited opportunities for women showed me that education could be a powerful tool for change. My maternal grandfather, a Lebanese immigrant, became a successful family physician despite humble beginnings. His perseverance and commitment to providing medical care to his community deeply inspired me. These influences shaped my desire to enter healthcare, where I can make a tangible difference in people’s lives, much like my family members before me. In choosing the PA profession, I am drawn to its flexibility and collaborative nature, which allow PAs to serve in various specialties while forming close connections with patients. I believe the ability to switch specialties enables a broader understanding of patient care and fosters a holistic approach to healthcare. I want to be a PA who listens to my patients, understands their unique needs, and advocates for their well-being. My goal is to create a lasting impact by ensuring that each patient I encounter feels respected and valued in their healthcare journey. Personal experiences have also reinforced my decision to enter this field. In 2020, my father was diagnosed with ALS, and caring for him alongside my mother, a physician, and my grandfather, gave me an intimate understanding of what compassionate healthcare truly means. Being a caregiver for someone I love deepened my desire to provide care that goes beyond treatment—it instilled in me the importance of empathy and human connection in healing. This experience solidified my commitment to becoming a PA who provides not only medical expertise but also emotional support to those navigating illness. My personal goal is to serve underserved populations, especially those who face barriers to accessing quality healthcare. I aim to work in primary care or neurology, where I can focus on patient advocacy and health equity. I want to ensure that my future patients feel empowered to take control of their health, and I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams, just as my family inspired me. In honor of the legacy of John Young and his unwavering perseverance, I am committed to carrying forward my family’s values of resilience, service, and excellence. I hope to make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare field by being a compassionate PA who makes a difference in the lives of those I serve.

My journey to becoming a physician assistant is deeply rooted in the legacy of resilience and perseverance passed down through generations of my family. My paternal grandmother, born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, instilled in me the unwavering belief that education is the one thing that no one can take away. My maternal grandfather, a Lebanese immigrant who rose from poverty to become a respected family physician, demonstrated the power of hard work and dedication. Despite facing significant challenges, he persevered and achieved his dreams. His story has been a constant source of inspiration for me. Inspired by their example, my mother followed in her father's footsteps, pursuing a career in medicine. Her unwavering commitment to helping others has been a constant source of inspiration for me. I remember countless evenings spent in her study, observing her as she reviewed patient charts and prepared for the next day's appointments. Her dedication to her patients was truly admirable. My father, a state trooper turned prosecutor, also played a pivotal role in shaping my values. His unwavering dedication to justice and service to his community has left an indelible mark on my life. I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of his work on the lives of others. His commitment to public service has inspired me to use my skills to make a positive difference in the world. When he was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, I was tasked, along with my mother and grandfather, with caring for him. Taking care of the man who raised me with such love was the greatest privilege of my life. I hope to emulate his love and servant heart as I care for my patients. The experiences of my family members have taught me the importance of overcoming adversity, valuing education, and striving for excellence. Their sacrifices and accomplishments have fueled my determination to make a positive impact on the world. As I embark on my journey to become a physician assistant, I am carrying forward the legacy of my family. I am determined to use my education and skills to help others, just as my grandparents, parents, and other family members have done before me. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the support of my loved ones. I am committed to honoring their legacy by making a difference in the lives of others through a life-long career as a physician associate.

My journey to becoming a physician assistant is deeply rooted in the legacy of resilience and perseverance passed down through generations of my family. My paternal grandmother, born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, instilled in me the unwavering belief that education is the one thing that no one can take away. Her experiences as a young woman in a society that limited opportunities for women only reinforced this belief. My maternal grandfather, a Lebanese immigrant who rose from poverty to become a respected family physician, demonstrated the power of hard work and dedication. Despite facing significant challenges, he persevered and achieved his dreams. His story has been a constant source of inspiration for me. Inspired by their example, my mother followed in her father's footsteps, pursuing a career in medicine. Her unwavering commitment to helping others has been a constant source of inspiration for me. I remember countless evenings spent in her study, observing her as she reviewed patient charts and prepared for the next day's appointments. Her dedication to her patients was truly admirable. My father, a state trooper turned prosecutor, also played a pivotal role in shaping my values. His unwavering dedication to justice and service to his community has left an indelible mark on my life. I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of his work on the lives of others. His commitment to public service has inspired me to use my skills to make a positive difference in the world. When he was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, I was tasked, along with my mother and grandfather, with caring for him. Taking care of the man who raised me with such love was the greatest privilege of my life. I hope to emulate his love and servant heart as I care for my patients. The experiences of my family members have taught me the importance of overcoming adversity, valuing education, and striving for excellence. Their sacrifices and accomplishments have fueled my determination to make a positive impact on the world. As a woman in STEM, and as I embark on my journey to become a physician assistant, I am carrying forward the legacy of my family. I am determined to use my education and skills to help others, just as my grandparents, parents, and other family members have done before me. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the support of my loved ones. I am committed to honoring their legacy as I strive to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

I was 18 years old when my dad was diagnosed with ALS. I remember facing many difficult questions: What do I do now? Who do I turn to? How do I balance my grief with the pursuit of my own dreams? These are the questions I strive to answer for others through my work with Be The Light, a network I have designed to provide community and understanding to grieving children and young people. To date, I have designed age-appropriate materials to distribute such as activity books, coloring pages, and various comfort items, teaching little ones it is okay to have big feelings. An example of a craft project that will be offered to subscribers is a laser-cut puzzle memory box that can be painted and assembled and filled with mementos of a mom or dad who has died. Another example is a wooden ornament that can be painted and assembled by the child to hang on a Christmas tree in remembrance. Through continuous and intentional fundraising, this initiative can provide free resources and mentorship to youth who have experienced the death of a parent. I plan to work with Hospice and local grief counseling agencies to increase awareness of Be The Light and to guide the mentors in giving advice and support. I will also network with schools to identify children who may benefit from this initiative. Social media will also be used to allow people who have lost a parent to tell their story. Hearing a story of survival gives hope that things can turn out okay. As a proud Christian, family man, civil servant, and former county prosecutor, my dad was the most community-minded human I ever had the joy of knowing. I carry on his legacy by serving this community and providing resources to those in need. I humbly ask for community action in supporting Be The Light in memory of my dad and in service to young people who grieve, remember, and move forward with joy.

If you would have told me 5 years ago that Willie Nelson would outlive my young, healthy, distance-running, state trooper, county prosecutor dad, I never would have believed you. In 2019 my dad received a terminal diagnosis of ALS. He died two years later after a devastating but valiant battle. Through his illness I developed a clarity as to the caliber of medical professional that I will become. My goal in attending PA school is to journey towards becoming a provider to whom I would have entrusted the care of my dad (who will always be my hero). I am aware I may be defying unspoken rules of scholarship essays by giving a play-by-play of a loved one's death or of my own health challenges, but it is in this narrative that I am able to bring to light my reasons for wanting to become a PA. Trust me when I tell you it is a story worth listening to. I suppose I would have first seen a doctor's white coat at the moment I was born sixteen weeks early, weighing just over one pound. An intraventricular hemorrhage prompted doctors to warn my parents that there would likely be severe neurological consequences. From the beginning, I was a survivor. At 8 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare ear condition which eventually led to a near-debilitating sensitivity to sound, even the sound of my own voice. Wearing bubblegum pink hearing aids and facing medical challenges, I had a choice to make even at this young age. Would I sink or swim? Spoiler alert: I learned how to swim. At 17 years old, symptoms escalated and another choice loomed. My family traveled across the country so that I could undergo the specialized craniotomy required to repair the dehiscence in my inner ear. I was exposed to world-renowned neurosurgeons, neurologists and otolaryngologists who excelled in their fields and inspired me to further pursue a career in healthcare where I too could inspire and heal patients. Again, I made a choice to persevere. To this day, I am strong and I am resilient. I will confidently face any challenges that the PA profession will present to me, academic or otherwise. Through campus organizations that I have established, despite spirited backlash and obstacles, I have demonstrated that I thrive and succeed on an upward hill and when tested in adversity. Although these years brought health challenges, they were also blanketed with successes, achievements and joys. As a physician assistant, I will be a lifelong learner and will provide empathetic care, due in part to my role as a patient since I was young. My maternal and paternal grandparents - poor immigrants from Lebanon, India and Africa - instilled in me the immeasurable value of education. I seek out academic challenges, studying scientific, philosophical and literary subjects which fascinate me. I have shadowed providers of varying medical specialties and have had opportunities to observe procedures and surgeries, learn from different bedside manners, and engage in discussions about providing care for patients of diverse backgrounds. In PA school and beyond, I will seek continued education and personal growth which will enable me to provide the very best of medical care.