The organs of the body work together like an orchestra, each part essential to the harmony of the whole. Watching that harmony restored in a child’s heart showed me how leadership and science shape our future. Science makes the impossible achievable, but leadership turns knowledge into action that saves lives. My curiosity first led me to take an online Anatomy and Physiology course beyond what my school offered. While studying cardiology, I paused on a slide about heart transplants and wondered how such a complex operation could even exist. When Youtube failed to answer my questions, I contacted surgeons at Boston Children's Hospital. To my surprise, Dr. Hoganson invited me to observe an open heart surgery. Standing in the operating room, I felt out of place among experts. Yet as the procedure began, I witnessed leadership in action. Surgeons, nurses, and perfusionists communicated constantly, each trusting the other’s expertise. I asked questions about the bypass machine and how surgeons sustain focus for ten hours or more. For thirteen hours, I watched arteries enlarged and an aortic valve replaced. Science provided the techniques, but leadership created the unity that allowed the team to operate on a beating heart with precision. Medicine became real to me, collaborative and deeply human. Later, I observed a pulmonary artery unifocalization, a procedure that reconstructs arteries into a functional system. The complexity of the operation showed me how decades of research expand what physicians can offer children. Innovation does not happen in isolation. It requires visionaries willing to take risks and teams willing to trust one another. I began shaping my own leadership skills as a behavioral therapist at an applied behavior analysis clinic. Working one on one with autistic children, I collaborated with parents and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst to reduce harmful behaviors and help one child double his speech. During one difficult moment, a colleague supported me as we guided a struggling student back inside. That experience taught me that leadership also means accepting help and fostering trust. Leadership and science together determine whether discovery remains theory or becomes transformation. I plan to study biochemistry, attend medical school, and explore regenerative technologies such as biomanufactured hearts that may reduce dependence on donors. By combining scientific innovation with compassionate leadership, I hope to help shape a future where more children survive and thrive.

The 5 a.m. Chicago sun barely peeked over the buildings on the other side of the alley, casting a few golden rays on the makeshift outdoor kitchen. Meanwhile, I stood sweating over a charred grill, flipping pancakes like I had a quota to meet. The previous night, my church family and I had arrived in Chicago to begin a week-long mission trip to come alongside unhoused communities. I volunteered, along with a few others, to wake up early and prepare breakfast for individuals experiencing homelessness who would arrive later in the morning. By the time we finished, I was exhausted, but the feeling of joy as I served pancakes to new faces would keep me cooking breakfast for the rest of the week. After serving breakfast, I loaded my own plate and sat down to talk to some of the people who had come in. One pair of young girls remains in my memory to this day. They wanted to make friendship bracelets for each other, so I gave them some string and patiently taught them how to weave the pieces together, encouraging them along the way. They came back the next day with messy, beautiful bracelets tied onto each other’s wrists. Their vivacity, hope, and compassion—despite their circumstances—moved me deeply. Those children reminded me what I’m working for: a chance to serve youth like them. I’ve always dreamed of being a pediatrician, but that moment shaped my dream into a purpose. I’ve observed how quality of life can be transformed by medical care through my experience as a behavioral therapist. I help children on the autism spectrum develop and apply real-world skills based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. As I’ve worked with kids, I’ve seen them progress significantly, gaining confidence and building the skills they need to advocate for themselves and become independent. But I’ve also seen how closely insurance is tied to treatment, and the often impossible cost for many families. Because of financial barriers, many children affected by homelessness are unjustly excluded from the care they urgently need. Even with Medicaid, gaining insurance coverage is often prohibitively complicated for those experiencing homelessness. Clinics like mine may be unable to support uninsured patients due to overhead costs. Reaching medical services is even more challenging because clinics are sparse in disadvantaged communities. All of these issues place an immense burden on mothers facing housing insecurity, who are often their children’s sole advocates. Because of the guidance and resources pediatricians offer to these mothers, they serve as a vital lifeline—and I aim to be one. I dream of increasing accessibility by establishing a clinic in an underserved community to provide high-standard, empathetic pediatric care and empower mothers. My clinic will administer pediatric treatment regardless of insurance status; instead of payments, I will sustain it through fundraising, grants, and donations. I will strive to significantly improve children’s quality of life by offering preventive treatment and real solutions. By providing clear and supportive resources, I will empower mothers to make confident and informed decisions about their children’s health. Furthermore, I will assist in navigating Medicaid enrollment to ensure they have more options and autonomy. I’ve witnessed the barriers to medical services, and I aspire to be a part of the solution. Compassionate medical care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity, just as making a difference is essential to me.