In my experience, the American Dream is a phrase that carries far more meaning than just words alone. Its significance varies for everyone depending on what their background is. For me, I am a first-generation Latina enrolled in a physician assistant program who was raised in an immigrant household. I was brought to the United States when I was only 5 months old and grew up the majority of my life undocumented until I qualified for DACA in 2016 and have since been a recipient. I have spent the majority of my life fighting to belong while breaking generational barriers, honoring my parents’ sacrifices, and working towards becoming a provider who will work towards bridging those cultural and language disparities I grew seeing in healthcare. So when people ask me what I define as the “American dream” I tell them this is not simply about financial success or material wealth but rather the opportunity to rise beyond the circumstances I was born into. Growing up in a Hispanic household meant I witnessed firsthand the strength it was required of me to navigate through a system not designed with us in mind. My parents’ American Dream for me was to earn an education, one they were not able to have in Mexico. So they often worked tirelessly and placed immense pressure on themselves to ensure I had access to opportunities they never had. Seeing their sacrifices instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to succeed and make them proud. My version of the American dream has allowed me to assess education. The education I have reached so far is a bridge between my parent’s sacrifices and my future aspirations. This has allowed me to pursue a career in medicine and train to become a PA. However, this journey has not been easy as I have found that opportunities are not evenly distributed for people like me. I have been met with language and financial barriers, cultural misunderstandings and healthcare disparities. Despite these obstacles, The American Dream I hold continues to motivate me to persevere and pursue my goals with determination. Because of this my version of the American Dream now extends beyond personal achievement. By becoming a healthcare provider, I will be a part of the bridge to cultural gaps and I will advocate for patients, like myself, who have felt unheard. I want to transform my experiences and use these as tools for empathy, leadership and change. For me, achieving the American Dream means honoring my parents' sacrifices, breaking generational curses, and using my education to give back to others. It means building a future where success is not measured solely by personal achievement, but by the impact I leave on my community.

An impactful physician assistant has the qualities of being a leader who’s committed to being a lifelong learner to provide excellent care towards patients. With empathy and adaptability, I believe PA's can provide excellent care and ensure patients are not only heard but also feel valued and respected during their care. Additionally, patients seeking medical care are often anxious, making it essential for a PA to ensure they feel safe and fully understand the confusing medical terminology. At its core, building strong connections with patients is an essential quality for providing impactful, patient-centered care. As a first-generation DACA Latina attending a PA program, I have firsthand experience with the healthcare challenges faced by families of color having both observed and lived through these adversities. Growing up I recall translating for my parents during medical appointments as translating services were not readily available and neither were providers who spoke Spanish. During that time, I felt that some providers lacked the cultural awareness and sensitivity needed to effectively connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. Having this exposure, has shaped my commitment to patient advocacy and will allow me to embody the qualities I believe a PA should display. The first quality I would like to further embody is showing empathy and compassion. I aim to treat every patient equally, with respect and with cultural sensitivity to ensure the best quality care is presented to everyone I treat. I wish to make everyone feel comfortable and understood. As an immigrant, I know firsthand the fear faced by many when seeking medical help. I hope to serve as a bridge and be a PA that eases fear and creates a trusting environment for all patients. Through observation and experience, I have learned that effective communication is extremely important. Since English is my second language, communicating with others was sometimes challenging growing up. As a PA student, I work daily on improving my communication skills and learning new terminology to effectively and confidently present the information to others. I hope to continue developing this quality to ensure information is appropriately conveyed and nothing is left unsaid due to misunderstanding. PAs must also be lifelong learners, and I am committed to developing this mindset as medicine is constantly evolving. A concept that is frequently emphasized during class is to not get “stuck”, whether that is with the diagnosis or treatment. Remaining open in our way of thinking prevents us from missing important details to allow us to provide the safest and most effective care. I want to continually adapt to the new findings to provide the most up to date care. I have always enjoyed learning and find it fascinating how the field can change in the matter of months. Lastly, I strive to build strong connections with my patients. A piece of advice I received at a young age was that when treating a patient, you’re also treating their family. That message stuck with me because the patient’s outcome shapes the family’s future. Growing up in an immigrant household, I never felt that I could connect with the providers I visited, and I lacked a sense of cultural understanding and representation. I want to change that experience for my patients in hopes that my background will allow me to relate to patients of color and underserved communities. I’ve observed that when establishing trusting connections, there is better-quality care from both sides and better adherence to treatment plans. My goal has always been to improve someone’s quality of life, and I believe that starts with how safe, respected, and comfortable a patient feels with their provider.