Uterine fibroids affect millions of women, yet they remain under-recognized, under-researched, and misunderstood. My passion for studying fibroids is rooted deeply in both personal experience and my professional commitment to improving women’s health outcomes. Through my healthcare journey, I have learned to understand how deeply gynecologic conditions impact not only physical health, but also emotional well-being, fertility, and quality of life. My interest in this topic began at a young age through my own reproductive health challenges, my diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as well as experiencing pregnancy loss. These moments introduced me to the complex world of hormonal and reproductive conditions and revealed how often women’s concerns are minimized and dismissed. While fibroids were not my personal diagnosis, I became increasingly aware of how similar conditions and often overlapping in symptoms such as pain, irregular bleeding, and fertility challenges can go unaddressed for too long. This sparked my desire to be part of a healthcare system that actively listens to women, educates women, and empowers women. Professionally, I have worked in a university hospital, where I have seen and heard the real-world impact of uterine fibroids. I have seen patients suffer from severe anemia due to chronic blood loss, endure debilitating pelvic pain, and face difficult decisions regarding surgical interventions such as myomectomy or hysterectomy. These experiences have reinforced my understanding that fibroids are not a simple and small but that they can be life-altering. In this field, we are also seeing disparities in access to care, particularly among women who face delays in diagnosis or limited treatment options. These gaps further motivate my commitment to advocacy and change. As I continue to pursue my master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in women’s health, I plan to contribute to advancing the understanding and treatment of uterine fibroids through both clinical practice and research. Academically, I am interested in exploring the causes of fibroids, including hormonal influences, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors. I hope to participate in research one day that focuses on early detection and less invasive treatment options. I hope to help with a goal of improving patient outcomes and preserving fertility whenever possible as this is incredibly important to so many women. In my future role as a women’s health provider, I am committed to increasing awareness and education surrounding fibroids. Many women normalize heavy bleeding and chronic pain without realizing that these symptoms should not be ignored and should be evaluated. I hope to create a clinical environment where patients feel empowered to speak openly about their symptoms and are met with validation, education, and compassionate care. Additionally, I hope to advocate for policy changes that improve access to diagnostic tools and treatment options, particularly for underserved populations. At the end of the day, my passion for studying uterine fibroids comes from my passion to bridge the gap between patient experiences and their medical understanding. There is a severe lack of education of women’s health in our society and women deserve to have their pain and conditions taken seriously. I am committed to contributing to a future where uterine fibroids are better understood, more effectively treated, and no longer silently endured.

When you get a five-year notice that your parent is going to pass away from a terminal illness as a child, you don't fully understand what that means or what is going to happen from that moment on, until he takes his last breath while you’re sitting in science class getting called to the office to go home. Then as an eleven-year-old at your stepfather’s funeral, you are left feeling confused, hopeless and angry. But as an eleven-year-old, you still don't fully understand what the words Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) mean. All you know is that you just watched your father lose his ability to walk, speak, and take care of himself and now it’s just you and your mom left to figure out life on our own. Fredrick Shane Guenther (Shane) was just thirty-eight years old when ALS coupled with pneumonia took his life. He passed in our living room while my mother embraced him while he took his last breath. Experiencing such a profound loss at a young age exposed me to the reality of handling a terminal diagnosis and the emotional, financial, and mental toll it takes on not only the patient, but the family as well. I am the first in my family to be in healthcare, so my mother and stepfather had to navigate finding resources, treatment options, and other various systemic challenges on their own with minimal support or understanding. ALS introduced me to the importance of empathy, patience, and speaking for those who may not be able to speak for themselves. I was able to witness firsthand the importance of maintaining dignity in loved ones who are battling ALS or other terminal diagnosis. My family actively participated in raising awareness and supporting ALS initiatives with Walk for ALS. After Shane had passed away, my mother and I reached out to the ALS Association to get in contact with other ALS patients and were able to donate his electric wheelchair and other medical equipment. Taking part in these efforts allowed us to honor Shane’s memory while making a positive impact on those who came after him with the same diagnosis. It reinforced my understanding of the power of community and how it can help improve others and families affected by ALS. Although my involvement with ALS organizations has primarily been through Walk for ALS, those experiences still guide how I show up for others in healthcare. I have a goal to always advocate for patients, support navigating difficult diagnoses, and ensure individuals feel heard and respected in my care. In the future, I hope to engage more directly with ALS initiatives, using my clinical expertise and personal loss to improve the quality of life for patients and support their caregivers. This scholarship would provide substantial support as I continue my graduate education in nursing. This past year, I transitioned from full-time work to being a full-time graduate student, and the financial stress of tuition and living expenses has been nothing short of overwhelming. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to dedicate more of my energy to my studies and clinical training to strengthening my ability to provide the best care to my future patients. Losing a father to ALS at a young age profoundly shaped my resilience, empathy, and purpose. It has inspired me to pursue a career where I can transform personal loss into meaningful impact. This scholarship would not only provide financial support for my education, but also help me honor his legacy, allowing me to carry his presence with me a little more as I earn my white coat and graduate.