It was February 16, 2020. The feeling of uncertainty and overwhelmingness crossed my mind as my family and I headed to the hospital. My legs felt jittery, and my hands were sweaty as the doctor walked in. At that moment, when the doctor spoke the four words I didn't want to hear, I choked back tears and cleared my throat. My parents, in shock, started to cry, and my sister looked at me with pity. And all I could think about was, does this mean I need chemotherapy? Does that mean I’ll be bald? So many thoughts rushed through my mind, and I began to sob quietly, growing louder and louder as the seconds passed. All that echoed throughout my thoughts was the doctor's voice saying, “Thyroid Cancer stage three.” A few months later, it was finally my surgery day, the day I dreaded the most. As I sat in the hospital bed, all prepped for surgery, all I could think was: Why me? Why do I have to go through all this? Why not somebody else? When the staff took me to the operating room, the smell of bleach made me feel nauseous. The beeping of the machines around me and seeing the doctors rushing through the halls felt like the world was spinning around me. When I woke up after surgery, all I could think about was the people who helped me get through the surgery and allowed me to become cancer-free. At that moment, I learned that I wanted to help people the same way my doctors helped me. Throughout my high school career, I started a club at my school inspired by my cancer experience, American Cancer Society on Campus. I started this club with the goal of helping current cancer patients and also educating the student population at school about different types of cancer. I was proud of myself when I realized I had created a community of people passionate about aiding future cancer patients, current cancer patients, and, most importantly, future cancer survivors. Over the summer, I returned to the same hospital where I was treated —only this time, as a summer volunteer, not a patient. I was given the opportunity to welcome patients with a smile on my face, the same way I was greeted on my big day. I worked on the CCBD (Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders) floor. Wanting to do more for the community while still in high school, I got my Medical Assistant certification. I started practicing at a free clinic, where we treat patients who are immigrants and don't have medical insurance. I go help out at this clinic whenever I am free and help out as much as possible. Through my different experiences in healthcare, I realized that I want to become a doctor and give back to my community to the maximum. As a woman who hopes to have a future in the healthcare field, my aspiration is to contribute significantly to the well-being of individuals and communities. I aim to bring a unique perspective to healthcare, advocating for inclusivity and personalized care. By fostering empathy and understanding, I hope to create a supportive environment for patients, ensuring they feel heard and valued. Additionally, I am committed to breaking down gender barriers within the profession, inspiring other women to pursue careers in healthcare and promoting diversity in leadership roles. Ultimately, my goal is to be a catalyst for positive change, driving advancements in patient care and contributing to the overall improvement of healthcare systems.

It was February 16, 2020. The feeling of uncertainty and overwhelmingness crossed my mind as my family and I headed to the hospital. My legs felt jittery, and my hands were sweaty as the doctor walked in. At that moment, when the doctor spoke the four words I didn't want to hear, I choked back tears and cleared my throat. My parents, in shock, started to cry, and my sister looked at me with pity. And all I could think about was, does this mean I need chemotherapy? Does that mean I’ll be bald? So many thoughts rushed through my mind, and I began to sob quietly, growing louder and louder as the seconds passed. All that echoed throughout my thoughts was the doctor's voice saying, “Thyroid Cancer stage three.” It felt like walking into a dark room with no light. As a ninth grader stuck in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was already lost, but the diagnosis created a whole new realm of darkness. Covid was at its peak, leaving me with no contact with anyone. My grades started to fluctuate. I stopped speaking up in classes and lost connections with my childhood friends. Keeping and making friends become nearly impossible due to the fear of being called the “cancer kid.” A few months later, it was finally my surgery day, the day I dreaded the most. As I sat in the hospital bed, all prepped for surgery, all I could think was: Why me? Why do I have to go through all this? Why not somebody else? When the staff took me to the operating room, the smell of bleach made me feel nauseous. The beeping of the machines around me and seeing the doctors rushing through the halls felt like the world was spinning around me. When I woke up after surgery, all I could think about was the people who helped me get through the surgery and allowed me to become cancer-free. At that moment, I learned that I wanted to help people the same way my doctors helped me. A couple of years later, I started a club at my school inspired by my cancer experience, American Cancer Society on Campus. I started this club with the goal of helping current cancer patients and also educating the student population at school about different types of cancer. I was proud of myself when I realized I had created a community of people passionate about aiding future cancer patients, current cancer patients, and, most importantly, future cancer survivors. Over the summer of my junior year, I returned to the same hospital where I was treated —only this time, as a summer volunteer, not a patient. I was given the opportunity to welcome patients with a smile on my face, the same way I was greeted on my big day. I worked on the CCBD (Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders) floor, where I saw many critical cancer patients. All around me, patients were going into chemotherapy while others were happily going into remission. I will forever be grateful for not having to go through those experiences. Wanting to do more for the community while still in high school, I got my Medical Assistant certification. I started practicing at a free clinic, where we treat patients who are immigrants and don't have medical insurance. I go help out at this clinic whenever I am free and help out as much as possible. Through my different experiences in healthcare, I realized that I want to become a doctor and give back to my community to the maximum.

The pursuit of a biology or public health degree leading to a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (DO) holds profound significance for me, extending beyond a mere career choice. It is a commitment rooted in a life-altering experience that unfolded during my early high school years. Faced with the formidable challenge of cancer, this chapter became the catalyst for my unwavering dedication to making a lasting impact in healthcare. Encountering the complexities of illness firsthand ignited a passion within me to contribute meaningfully to the health field. During this period, I had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of healthcare professionals, especially doctors and surgeons. Their ability to heal, comfort, and instill resilience left an indelible mark on my aspirations, shaping my vision for the future. Choosing a degree in biology or public health is a deliberate and strategic step towards gaining a comprehensive understanding of human health and disease. These disciplines serve as the bedrock, providing the foundational knowledge essential for a career in medicine. My goal extends beyond comprehending the biological underpinnings of health; it encompasses a genuine desire to explore the broader public health landscape, recognizing the interconnectedness of individual well-being and community health. The dream of becoming a doctor, deeply ingrained in my heart since childhood, has evolved into a driving force, fueled by a profound desire to be a source of hope and healing for others. My own health challenges during those formative years made me appreciate the resilience and compassion of medical professionals, inspiring me to channel my experiences into a commitment to serve others with empathy and unwavering dedication. Attaining a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine represents the culmination of my academic and personal journey. The osteopathic approach, emphasizing holistic care, seamlessly aligns with my vision of practicing medicine. My passion goes beyond merely treating ailments; it encompasses a genuine commitment to addressing the broader aspects of well-being that contribute to a healthy and fulfilling life. In essence, my journey from a cancer survivor to a future doctor serves as a testament to the transformative power of healthcare. Through the lens of this scholarship, I aspire to advance my education, realizing my dream of making a positive impact in the lives of others. Your support is not only instrumental in propelling my academic journey but also contributes to the realization of a lifelong dream to serve and heal, inspired by the profound experiences that have shaped my path. On February 16, 2020, uncertainty and overwhelming emotions enveloped my family as we headed to the hospital. The doctor's words, revealing a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer stage three, felt like stepping into a dark room with no light. As a ninth grader navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, I was already lost, but the diagnosis plunged me into a new realm of darkness. Covid's peak left me isolated, impacting my academic performance and hindering connections with friends. The fear of being labeled the "cancer kid" made keeping and making friends nearly impossible. Months later, on my surgery day, the day I dreaded the most, questions swirled in my mind. The smell of bleach in the operating room made me nauseous, and the world seemed to spin around me. Waking up after surgery, I realized I wanted to help people as my doctors helped me. This realization led to the creation of the American Cancer Society on Campus, a club aimed at supporting current cancer patients and educating students about different cancer types. During the summer of my junior year, I returned to the hospital where I was treated, this time as a summer volunteer. Welcoming patients with a smile, I worked on the CCBD floor, witnessing critical cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and others happily entering remission. Grateful for not having to go through those experiences myself, I sought more ways to contribute, obtaining a Medical Assistant certification and practicing at a free clinic for immigrants without medical insurance. Through these experiences in healthcare, I discovered my passion for becoming a doctor and giving back to my community. The degree I am pursuing is not just a path to a career; it is a continuation of my journey, fueled by a deep-seated commitment to serve and heal. My experiences as a cancer survivor and a dedicated volunteer underscore the profound connection between my personal journey and my passion for medicine, making this pursuit not just an academic endeavor but a heartfelt mission to make a meaningful impact.

It was February 16, 2020. The feeling of uncertainty and overwhelmingness crossed my mind as my family and I headed to the hospital. My legs felt jittery, and my hands were sweaty as the doctor walked in. At that moment, when the doctor spoke the four words I didn't want to hear, I choked back tears and cleared my throat. My parents, in shock, started to cry, and my sister looked at me with pity. And all I could think about was, does this mean I need chemotherapy? Does that mean I’ll be bald? So many thoughts rushed through my mind, and I began to sob quietly, growing louder and louder as the seconds passed. All that echoed throughout my thoughts was the doctor's voice saying, “Thyroid Cancer stage three.” It felt like walking into a dark room with no light. As a ninth grader stuck in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was already lost, but the diagnosis created a whole new realm of darkness. Covid was at its peak, leaving me with no contact with anyone. My grades started to fluctuate. I stopped speaking up in classes and lost connections with my childhood friends. Keeping and making friends become nearly impossible due to the fear of being called the “cancer kid.” A few months later, it was finally my surgery day, the day I dreaded the most. As I sat in the hospital bed, all prepped for surgery, all I could think was: Why me? Why do I have to go through all this? Why not somebody else? When the staff took me to the operating room, the smell of bleach made me feel nauseous. The beeping of the machines around me and seeing the doctors rushing through the halls felt like the world was spinning around me. When I woke up after surgery, all I could think about was the people who helped me get through the surgery and allowed me to become cancer-free. At that moment, I learned that I wanted to help people the same way my doctors helped me. Throughout my high school career, I have started a club ACS, which aims to raise money for people struggling with cancer. Along with that, over the summer, I did an internship at my children's hospital where I worked on the CCBD (Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders) floor, where I saw many critical cancer patients. Wanting to do more for the community while still in high school, I got my Medical Assistant certification. I started practicing at a free clinic, where we treat patients who are immigrants and don't have medical insurance. I go help out at this clinic whenever I am free and help out as much as possible. Through my different experiences in healthcare, I realized that I want to become a doctor and give back to my community to the maximum. I am passionately applying for this scholarship, recognizing its commitment to cultivating a community of empowered women in STEM. My aspiration to become a doctor is rooted in a deep-seated commitment to leveraging knowledge, nurturing curiosity, and contributing meaningfully to the STEM field, particularly in the realm of healthcare.The journey toward becoming a doctor requires a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — the pillars of STEM.

It was February 16, 2020. The feeling of uncertainty and overwhelmingness crossed my mind as my family and I headed to the hospital. My legs felt jittery, and my hands were sweaty as the doctor walked in. At that moment, when the doctor spoke the four words I didn't want to hear, I choked back tears and cleared my throat. My parents, in shock, started to cry, and my sister looked at me with pity. And all I could think about was, does this mean I need chemotherapy? Does that mean I’ll be bald? So many thoughts rushed through my mind, and I began to sob quietly, growing louder and louder as the seconds passed. All that echoed throughout my thoughts was the doctor's voice saying, “Thyroid Cancer stage three.” It felt like walking into a dark room with no light. As a ninth grader stuck in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was already lost, but the diagnosis created a whole new realm of darkness. Covid was at its peak, leaving me with no contact with anyone. My grades started to fluctuate. I stopped speaking up in classes and lost connections with my childhood friends. Keeping and making friends become nearly impossible due to the fear of being called the “cancer kid.” A few months later, it was finally my surgery day, the day I dreaded the most. As I sat in the hospital bed, all prepped for surgery, all I could think was: Why me? Why do I have to go through all this? Why not somebody else? When the staff took me to the operating room, the smell of bleach made me feel nauseous. The beeping of the machines around me and seeing the doctors rushing through the halls felt like the world was spinning around me. When I woke up after surgery, all I could think about was the people who helped me get through the surgery and allowed me to become cancer-free. At that moment, I learned that I wanted to help people the same way my doctors helped me. A couple of years later, I started a club at my school inspired by my cancer experience, American Cancer Society on Campus. I started this club with the goal of helping current cancer patients and also educating the student population at school about different types of cancer. I was proud of myself when I realized I had created a community of people passionate about aiding future cancer patients, current cancer patients, and most importantly future cancer survivors. Over the summer of my junior year, I returned to the same hospital where I was treated —only this time, as a summer volunteer, not a patient. I was given the opportunity to welcome patients with a smile on my face, the same way I was greeted on my big day. I worked on the CCBD (Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders) floor, where I saw many critical cancer patients. All around me, patients were going into chemotherapy while others were happily going into remission. I will forever be grateful for not having to go through those experiences. Wanting to do more for the community while still in high school, I got my Medical Assistant certification. I started practicing at a free clinic, where we treat patients who are immigrants and don't have medical insurance. I go help out at this clinic whenever I am free and help out as much as possible. Through my different experiences in healthcare, I realized that I want to become a doctor and give back to my community to the maximum.

It was February 16, 2020. The feeling of uncertainty and overwhelmingness crossed my mind as my family and I headed to the hospital. My legs felt jittery, and my hands were sweaty as the doctor walked in. At that moment, when the doctor spoke the four words I didn't want to hear, I choked back tears and cleared my throat. My parents, in shock, started to cry, and my sister looked at me with pity. And all I could think about was, does this mean I need chemotherapy? Does that mean I’ll be bald? So many thoughts rushed through my mind, and I began to sob quietly, growing louder and louder as the seconds passed. All that echoed throughout my thoughts was the doctor's voice saying, “Thyroid Cancer stage three.” It felt like walking into a dark room with no light. As a ninth grader stuck in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was already lost, but the diagnosis created a whole new realm of darkness. Covid was at its peak, leaving me with no contact with anyone. My grades started to fluctuate. I stopped speaking up in classes and lost connections with my childhood friends. Keeping and making friends become nearly impossible due to the fear of being called the “cancer kid.” A few months later, it was finally my surgery day, the day I dreaded the most. As I sat in the hospital bed, all prepped for surgery, all I could think was: Why me? Why do I have to go through all this? Why not somebody else? When the staff took me to the operating room, the smell of bleach made me feel nauseous. The beeping of the machines around me and seeing the doctors rushing through the halls felt like the world was spinning around me. When I woke up after surgery, all I could think about was the people who helped me get through the surgery and allowed me to become cancer-free. At that moment, I learned that I wanted to help people the same way my doctors helped me. A couple of years later, I started a club at my school inspired by my cancer experience, American Cancer Society on Campus. I started this club with the goal of helping current cancer patients and also educating the student population at school about different types of cancer. I was proud of myself when I realized I had created a community of people passionate about aiding future cancer patients, current cancer patients, and, most importantly, future cancer survivors. Over the summer of my junior year, I returned to the same hospital where I was treated —only this time, as a summer volunteer, not a patient. I was given the opportunity to welcome patients with a smile on my face, the same way I was greeted on my big day. I worked on the CCBD (Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders) floor, where I saw many critical cancer patients. All around me, patients were going into chemotherapy while others were happily going into remission. I will forever be grateful for not having to go through those experiences. Wanting to do more for the community while still in high school, I got my Medical Assistant certification. I started practicing at a free clinic, where we treat patients who are immigrants and don't have medical insurance. I go help out at this clinic whenever I am free and help out as much as possible. Through my different experiences in healthcare, I realized that I want to become a doctor and give back to my community to the maximum.