From an early age, I witnessed the profound impact healthcare can have on families, and it was my father’s battle with lung cancer that first opened my eyes to the field. Experiencing his illness and the care provided by his oncology team revealed how medicine is both a science and an act of humanity. Their expertise, empathy, and presence during our most vulnerable moments inspired me to pursue a career where I could offer the same comfort, guidance, and hope to others. I realized that healthcare is more than treating disease—it is about advocacy, listening, and being present for patients when they need it most. This experience also shaped my aspiration to pursue a fellowship in hematology/oncology following residency, driven by a desire to advance cancer care and patient support in the way that deeply affected my family. As a first-generation student, I have navigated the challenges and uncertainties of higher education while remaining deeply committed to service and scholarship. I have engaged in research across diverse fields, including cardiac arrest, organ transplantation, synaptic adhesion proteins, and macrophage–biomaterial interactions. These experiences strengthened my analytical and problem-solving skills and inspired me to pursue research that bridges laboratory discovery with patient-centered outcomes. In recognition of this commitment, I was honored as the 2025 American College of Physicians Medical Student Poster Competition winner, an experience that solidified my interest in combining clinical care with rigorous research. Leadership and service have been central to my journey. I co-founded The National Organization for Rare Disorders, serving as Vice President, and the Cardiology Interest Group, acting as National Liaison. I also served as Student Government Association Vice President at TouroCOM Middletown, where I led initiatives to bring national organizations to campus, and represented my school nationally as a member of the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents and the National Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association. These roles taught me the value of mentorship, collaboration, and advocating for systemic improvements in healthcare education and access. I am especially committed to representing women in healthcare and promoting diversity and inclusion. Women bring unique perspectives, empathy, and collaboration to medicine, and I aim to contribute by mentoring future female medical students, fostering inclusive learning environments, and advancing equitable patient care. By combining clinical practice, research, and leadership, I hope to shape healthcare delivery to be more compassionate, innovative, and patient-centered. Ultimately, I aspire to a career in internal medicine, with a hematology/oncology focus, integrating research, mentorship, and patient advocacy. Through my work, I hope to empower women in medicine, advance scientific knowledge, and make a lasting, positive impact on patients, families, and communities.

Service has been the most consistent thread running through my academic, professional, and personal life. I was raised to believe that we are measured not only by our accomplishments, but by the compassion we extend to others. That belief shaped my core values long before I recognized it as “service,” and it remains the foundation of who I am today. My formal commitment to service began as an undergraduate Bonner Scholar at Ursinus College, a national community service and civic engagement program. As a Bonner Scholar, I completed over 300 hours of community service each year through structured placements and trainings, which taught me that service is most impactful when paired with humility, cultural awareness, and sustained engagement. I served at Special Olympics as a Shooting Stars basketball coach for young athletes with varying physical and intellectual disabilities, and I coordinated music and memory activities for older adults in memory care communities — experiences that taught me patience, empathy, and the power of meeting people exactly where they are. When I entered medical school, I challenged myself to integrate service not as a requirement, but as a lifelong responsibility. I continued volunteering through soup kitchens, free clinics, and mentorship programs, ensuring that even as my clinical training intensified, I never drifted away from the communities that grounded my purpose. Through this work, I was fortunate to earn the Gold and Silver TOUCH (Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health) Awards for community service during medical school, which recognize volunteer hours dedicated to improving community health access and education. Beyond direct community service, I have also supported peers academically as a teaching assistant and mentored students exploring medicine — contributions that reflect my belief that uplifting others is itself a form of service. Looking forward, my vision for service extends beyond volunteer hours. I plan to dedicate my career as a physician to advancing health equity for underserved and chronically overlooked populations. Working in clinical free clinics, community-based research settings, and food-insecure communities has exposed me to the cyclical injustice of limited healthcare access. It is not enough to treat disease; we must address the structural and social conditions that produce it. I aim to contribute to this effort by continuing community-based clinical care, advocating for preventive health resources, and participating in public health initiatives that empower individuals to navigate healthcare systems with dignity. In addition, I plan to continue mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine. Representation matters — not only because patients deserve culturally competent care, but because aspiring physicians deserve to see that they belong in these spaces. Service has given me far more than I could ever give back: perspective, purpose, and the profound privilege of being trusted by others. My goal is to use my training to amplify hope, compassion, and health access on a larger scale, honoring people like Priscilla Shireen Luke whose lives remind us that service is the surest way to build a better future.

My career goals are shaped by a deeply personal commitment to advancing cancer research, prevention, and compassionate patient care. After losing my father to lung cancer, I witnessed firsthand the profound human toll of this disease, as well as the extraordinary impact of an empathetic and dedicated oncology team. Their ability to combine scientific expertise with genuine compassion opened my eyes to a career in medicine and inspired my long-term professional aspirations. As a first-generation, low-income student, pursuing higher education represented both opportunity and responsibility. I sought out research experiences to better understand disease mechanisms and translational science, engaging in projects spanning cardiac arrest, organ transplantation, synaptic adhesion proteins, and immune–biomaterial interactions. In recognition of this commitment, I was honored to be the 2025 American College of Physicians Medical Student Poster Competition winner. These experiences strengthened my analytical skills and reinforced my desire to contribute to cancer research, particularly work that can improve early detection, prevention, and patient outcomes. Following residency in internal medicine, I am strongly considering fellowship training in hematology and oncology. This decision is directly influenced by my father’s illness and the exceptional physicians who guided my family through one of the most difficult periods of our lives. I aspire to become a physician-scientist who integrates clinical care with research, contributing to evidence-based cancer therapies while providing longitudinal, patient-centered care. Beyond research and clinical practice, I am passionate about mentorship and representation. I hope to support women and first-generation students who may not initially see a place for themselves in medicine or biomedical research. Through education, discovery, and service, my goal is to honor those affected by cancer by contributing meaningfully to progress against a disease that impacts millions of families each year.

Loss has a way of reshaping a life before one is ready to understand what has happened. I was a child when I lost my father to lung cancer, and at the time, grief felt less like a single emotion and more like a quiet, constant presence. There was confusion, sadness, anger, and a deep sense of unfairness that came with watching someone you love disappear piece by piece. Yet woven into that pain was something unexpected: the compassion, empathy, and steadiness of the physicians who cared for my father and supported my family. Their humanity during our most vulnerable moments planted a seed that would later grow into my love for medicine and learning. Navigating my father’s passing forced me to confront emotions I did not yet have language for. Over time, grief taught me patience—with myself and with others. I learned that strength does not mean suppressing pain, but allowing space for it while still moving forward. This experience revealed a resilience within me that I did not know I possessed. As a first-generation college student and now a first-generation physician, I often had no blueprint for the path ahead. Still, the loss that once felt paralyzing became a source of purpose, motivating me to build a life defined not by what I lost, but by how I chose to honor it. Meditation and journaling became important tools in this process. Journaling allowed me to externalize emotions that felt overwhelming when kept inside—fear, guilt, hope, and gratitude. Putting words to these feelings gave them shape and made them manageable. Meditation taught me presence: how to sit with discomfort without judgment and how to find stillness amid uncertainty. Together, these practices helped me develop emotional awareness and balance, skills that have been invaluable throughout my education and personal growth. My desire to pursue higher education stems directly from this journey. College, and eventually medical school, represented more than academic achievement; it was a means of transformation. Education gave me agency—the ability to turn lived experience into meaningful action. Continuing my education has allowed me to serve others with intention, to advocate for patients and communities, and to continually challenge myself to grow intellectually and ethically. Learning, for me, is an ongoing commitment to becoming the kind of person who can show up fully for others. The greatest influences in my life are those who modeled compassion, perseverance, and integrity, most notably Dr. Gabrielle, my father’s lead oncologist. During one of the most painful periods of my life, she exemplified what it meant to care for a patient and family as a whole person. Her clarity, empathy, and unwavering presence not only guided us through complex medical decisions, but also offered comfort in moments of fear and uncertainty. Through her, I saw medicine not as something distant or unattainable, but as a career grounded in humanity—one that was possible for someone like me. My father remains an enduring influence as well, through the strength and grace he showed during illness and the values he instilled in me. My family has been a constant source of encouragement, supporting my pursuit of opportunities they themselves never had. I am also inspired by mentors and physicians I have worked with who lead quietly, care deeply, and uphold excellence without losing their compassion. Ultimately, loss taught me who I am when life does not go as planned. It revealed my capacity for empathy, resilience, and purpose, and it shaped a commitment to learning that continues to guide my path forward every day.

My decision to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine is rooted in a deep commitment to healthcare and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Growing up in South Jersey, I witnessed the profound challenges my family faced when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. His battle with the disease—and the emotional and financial toll it took on us—shaped my early understanding of the healthcare system and revealed the critical importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. That experience didn’t just deepen my empathy for patients and their families—it also ignited a sense of purpose that continues to guide me. My path to medicine was not linear, but every step was intentional. I pursued my undergraduate degree at Ursinus College, where I graduated magna cum laude with Honors in Biology. I was honored to receive the Henry P. Laughlin M.D. Award, presented to the student who made the greatest contribution to their class and college, as well as the Laughlin Award for excellence in academics, athletics, and social engagement. These achievements reflect my dedication to hard work and perseverance. But it was my experiences beyond the classroom—volunteering at free clinics, mentoring students, and participating in a medical mission trip abroad—that truly affirmed my calling. Through these interactions, I witnessed the transformative power of skilled, compassionate healthcare and knew I wanted to be the kind of physician who sees and treats the whole person. After college, I pursued a Master’s degree in Biological and Physical Sciences, further solidifying my academic foundation in preparation for medical school. I graduated with distinction and received the Law and Ethics Award, recognizing my commitment to professionalism and integrity in healthcare—values I carry with me every day. Choosing osteopathic medicine felt like a natural extension of my vision. At Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, I’ve been able to combine rigorous scientific training with the holistic, patient-focused philosophy of osteopathy. I have come to deeply value the osteopathic tenets that emphasize the body’s interconnected systems, preventive care, and the integration of mental, emotional, and social well-being. These principles mirror my own beliefs about what healthcare should be. Looking ahead, I hope to return to South Jersey to serve the community that raised me. I am committed to providing accessible, high-quality care to underserved populations, particularly those facing systemic and financial barriers to healthcare. My long-term goal is to establish a community-based internal medicine practice that incorporates osteopathic principles, preventive medicine, and patient education. I want to empower individuals to take control of their health, while building relationships rooted in trust and respect. Ultimately, my journey into medicine has been defined by resilience, compassion, and a desire to blend science with human connection. Becoming an osteopathic internal medicine physician will allow me to fulfill this mission—to care for the whole patient and to make a lasting difference in the lives of those I serve. I carry with me the lessons of my father’s illness, the strength of my family, and the unwavering belief that healthcare can—and should—be more personal, more equitable, and more healing.

My name is Aliyah Stephens, and I am currently a medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. My decision to pursue medicine is deeply personal and rooted in service. Growing up in South Jersey, I watched my father battle lung cancer, a diagnosis that changed the course of my life. The emotional and financial toll of his illness opened my eyes to the critical need for compassionate, equitable healthcare. That experience instilled in me a lifelong commitment to helping others navigate the healthcare system with dignity and support. I first attended Ursinus College, where I earned a degree in Biology, graduating magna cum laude with departmental honors. I was honored with the Henry P. Laughlin M.D. Award and the Laughlin Award for excellence in academics, athletics, and social engagement. These honors recognized not only my academic achievements, but also my dedication to leading and uplifting others in my community. I then went on to earn my Master’s degree in Biological and Physical Sciences, where I graduated with distinction and was awarded the Law and Ethics Award for exemplifying integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to ethical leadership in healthcare. Throughout my academic journey, I sought opportunities to serve beyond the classroom—volunteering at free clinics and participating in a medical mission trip abroad. These experiences taught me that the most impactful physicians are those who listen deeply, advocate fiercely, and treat patients as whole people. That’s what drew me to osteopathic medicine. At TouroCOM, I’ve embraced the osteopathic philosophy of treating the mind, body, and spirit. I’ve learned that true healing goes beyond prescriptions—it involves prevention, empathy, education, and trust. I plan to return to South Jersey to serve medically underserved populations in the community that shaped me. My goal is to open a community-based internal medicine practice that blends osteopathic principles with preventive care and patient education. I want to provide high-quality, accessible care to individuals who often fall through the cracks due to financial or systemic barriers. More than anything, I want my patients to feel seen, respected, and empowered. Through medicine, I hope to make a lasting difference—not just in individual lives, but in the healthcare system as a whole. I am committed to building a career rooted in compassion, ethics, and service, and I hope to leave behind a legacy of care that reflects the values I’ve carried with me every step of the way.

My decision to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine is rooted in a deep commitment to healthcare and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Growing up in New Jersey, I witnessed the challenges my family faced when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. His battle with the disease—and the emotional and financial toll it took on us—shaped my understanding of the critical need for compassionate, patient-centered care. That experience not only deepened my empathy for patients and their families but also inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others navigate their own health journeys with dignity and understanding. My path to medicine was not linear, but it was intentional. At Ursinus College, I graduated magna cum laude with Honors in Biology. I was honored to receive the Henry P. Laughlin M.D. Award, given to the student who made the greatest contribution to their class and college, and the Laughlin Award for excellence in academics, athletics, and social engagement. While these achievements reflect my dedication to hard work and perseverance, it was my experiences outside the classroom that truly solidified my desire to become a physician. Through volunteer work at free clinics and a medical mission trip abroad, I saw the transformative power of skilled, compassionate healthcare. I knew I wanted to be that kind of doctor—one who treats not only diseases but the whole person. Choosing osteopathic medicine felt like a natural extension of that calling. At Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, I’ve been able to combine rigorous scientific training with the holistic, patient-focused philosophy of osteopathy. I have come to deeply value the osteopathic principles of understanding the body’s interconnected systems, emphasizing preventive care, and considering the mental, emotional, and social aspects of health. These ideals align perfectly with my own belief that healthcare must extend beyond physical symptoms. Looking ahead, I hope to return to South Jersey to serve the community that raised me. I am committed to delivering accessible, high-quality care to underserved populations, particularly those who face financial and systemic barriers to healthcare. My long-term goal is to establish a community-based internal medicine practice that incorporates osteopathic principles, preventive care, and patient education—empowering individuals to take charge of their health. Ultimately, my journey into medicine has been shaped by a desire to blend scientific knowledge with human connection. Becoming an osteopathic internal medicine physician will allow me to fulfill that mission: to care for the whole patient and to make a lasting difference in the lives of those I serve. I am confident that my background in service, empathy, and clinical training has prepared me to meet that responsibility with compassion and purpose.

My decision to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine is rooted in a deep commitment to healthcare and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Growing up in South Jersey, I witnessed the challenges my family faced when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. His battle with the disease—and the emotional and financial toll it took on us—shaped my understanding of the critical need for compassionate, patient-centered care. That experience not only deepened my empathy for patients and their families, but also inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others navigate their health journeys with dignity and understanding. To me, legacy means leaving behind something greater than yourself—a lasting contribution that uplifts others and creates pathways that didn’t previously exist. My father didn’t have access to many resources growing up, but he worked tirelessly to provide for his family, always emphasizing the value of education and service. Though we faced adversity, his legacy taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of lifting others as you climb. His legacy is the foundation on which I build my own path—not only by pursuing a career in medicine, but by using it as a tool to empower and support those who come after me. My path to medicine was not linear, but it was intentional. At Ursinus College, I graduated magna cum laude with Honors in Biology. I was honored to receive the Henry P. Laughlin M.D. Award, given to the student who made the greatest contribution to their class and college, and the Laughlin Award for excellence in academics, athletics, and social engagement. While these achievements reflect my commitment to hard work, it was my experiences outside the classroom that solidified my calling. Through volunteer work at free clinics and a medical mission trip abroad, I witnessed the transformative power of skilled, compassionate care. I knew then that I wanted to be the kind of doctor who not only treats disease but advocates for the whole person. Choosing osteopathic medicine felt like a natural extension of that calling. At Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, I’ve been able to combine rigorous scientific training with a holistic, patient-focused philosophy. I deeply value osteopathy’s emphasis on the body’s interconnected systems, preventive care, and the belief that mental, emotional, and social health are just as important as physical well-being. These principles align perfectly with my belief that health care must serve the whole person. My upbringing opened my eyes to the systemic barriers many families face—limited access to care, financial hardship, and a lack of mentorship or guidance navigating the medical system. I want to break that cycle by becoming a physician who not only provides care, but also mentors, educates, and advocates. I hope to return to South Jersey to serve underserved communities and establish a community-based internal medicine practice rooted in osteopathic principles and preventive care. I want to create a space where patients feel seen, respected, and empowered to take control of their health. Ultimately, my journey into medicine is about continuing and expanding the legacy I inherited—one of perseverance, service, and hope. Becoming an osteopathic internal medicine physician will allow me to fulfill that mission: to care for the whole patient and to make a lasting difference in the lives of those I serve. I am confident that my background, my training, and my values have prepared me to honor that legacy while building my own.