My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful after earning Valedictorian status of my high school senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I am now in the process of completing through SUNY Polytechnic Institute as a Biology major in affiliation with SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity.

Within this past year, I engaged in service work at a nearby hospital through the organization Kalida Health, shadowed a registered nurse, shadowed a medical student at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and shadowed a doctor at an independent family practice. While each experience was vital in reaffirming my commitment to a career in medicine, my experiences in working with Kalida Health were the most impactful. Each Saturday from 9am to 12pm for several months I shadowed a particular nurse in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) department who did a tremendous job of educating me on the residents’ various conditions and teaching me optimal methods for tending to their needs. I greatly enjoyed working with her; her positive attitude and disposition were contagious, and I admired her seemingly boundless energy. After months of working with this nurse, I became comfortable in modeling her techniques and more adept at recognizing the sometimes-subtle nuances of the residents’ behavior that indicated their emotions, wants or needs. However, my most enlightening lesson occurred during her first absence. I first suspected something was amiss that day when I entered to find the unit’s “dayroom” strangely devoid of residents but brimming with workers bantering about the patients’ alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with daily hygiene tasks. My supervisor for that day then disclosed his belief that residents intentionally draw the ire staff and began instructing me on the necessary use of firm reprimands for their problematic behavior. I was dumbfounded by the picture he painted of the patients, but this interaction yielded insight into my typical instructor’s approach to clients, and the therapeutic atmosphere it helped create. The lessons learned from working at the SNF have helped me to understand the impact of positive engagement, and I strive to emulate the nurse I shadowed in my future actions as a physician to establish the type of patient rapport that bolsters emotional well-being, preserves dignity and promotes physical betterment. The lessons learned through these hands-on experiential endeavors, coupled with my personal life and medical experiences, have solidified my intent to become a physician. However, my end goal isn’t to just work in healthcare. My ultimate ambition is to use the education and training attained through completing a medical degree in a manner that benefits those with limited means or access to proper medical care, and I intend to dedicate part of my future profession to a service-oriented organization such as Doctors without Borders. Overall, I am extremely excited at the prospect of a career in medicine and look forward to an academic journey leading to a lifetime of serving others in this capacity.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful after earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I am now in the process of completing through SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity. With the assistance provided from this scholarship, I would be able to decrease the financial burden these next 11 years of schooling will place on me, and strive to become a doctor that plays an active role in facilitating inclusion and diversity to better address the needs of my community.

Reflecting on where I am in life and the path I have taken to get here, I wouldn’t change a thing. Although most people raised with the knowledge of being transgender will experience tribulations, I hope that I can speak for many of us in saying that these experiences have shaped me into who I am today. I will be forever grateful for having been accepted into my top choice college at SUNY Polytechnic through their dual degree BS/MD program, and recognize that I would not have found myself in the position in life that I am without the road, however difficult it may have been, that I’ve taken. Up until the 8th grade, I was enrolled in a private school that espoused stereotypical gender norms and viewed my boyish appearance and behavior with contempt. To the faculty and students, I was seen as an oddity; I lacked any modicum of femininity, and deviated from their expectations regarding the pursuit of knowledge by young girls. As time passed, I came to realize that I did not live up to others’ expectations because I was not what others expected; I was a transgender male attempting to survive in an environment non-conducive to my acceptance. Despite performing at the top of the class, I was routinely antagonized by my teachers and alienated by classmates. I endured that way of life for years, until my eventual return to a public-school, where I was able to openly identify as male in a school setting for the first time. Although harboring some reservations regarding my identity and ability to take pride in it, I found myself longing to advocate for others in the LGBTQ+ community. I joined my high school’s Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) club my freshman year of high school - becoming vice-president sophomore year, then president for both my junior and senior years. Throughout my time in GSA, I noted the similarities between my younger self and the growing number of diverse persons in relation to their need for acceptance. By establishing myself as a support system, I knew I could provide validation in a way I felt was lacking in my earlier developmental years. I began meeting with school officials to advocate for a protected space for transgender or gender non-conforming individuals to use the restroom and comfortably change for gym class. Through these efforts, I successfully secured the approval for my high school’s first gender neutral bathroom. The construction of this facility not only provided a decided degree of comfort, it also served as an undeniable sign of support for our community. The acceptance I have felt towards my community and myself has only grown since then, continuing on as I have left home in pursuit of a higher level of education. Alongside my studies as a Biology major and Chemistry minor, I make time to try to address the needs of those around me through meetings with student government and faculty regarding implementation of further gender neutral restrooms, as well as suggestions to improve the name changing policy on campus. Serving the LGBTQ+ community has become a significant priority of mine, and will continue to play a major role in my life as I eventually pursue my medical degree through SUNY Upstate Medical in affiliation with SUNY Polytechnic. With the assistance provided from this scholarship, I would be able to decrease the financial burden these next 11 years of schooling will place on me, and strive to become a doctor that plays an active role in facilitating inclusion and diversity to better address the needs of my community.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful after earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I am now in the process of completing through SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity. By receiving this scholarship, I would be able to lesson the financial burden that will be prevalent for the next years of my life, and focus more on providing for my community.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful after earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I am now in the process of completing through SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful after earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I am now in the process of completing through SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of the LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful as I recently learned of earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I am completing through SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful as I recently learned of earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I have committed to through SUNY Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to a surgeon whose exceptional skills liberated me to engage in life as my true self for the first time. Although I was immediately validated both physically and emotionally, my situation cast a light on the fact that I had to obtain gender-affirming care 10 hours from home. My contemplations, coupled with my recognition of the artistic nature of the procedure I had undergone led to an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art, my dedication to serving the LGBTQ+ community, and my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in establishing physical alignment for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. I intend to be a catalyst to bring about change in terms of mitigating the dysphoria of trans people, by not only advocating for our community, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. It is at this time that I take pause and reflect on the uniquely poignant position I am currently at in my educational journey - inching closer to closing the chapter of my secondary schooling and anxiously awaiting to take my first steps on the academic path towards achieving my professional ambitions. I feel honored and grateful to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of taking the first steps of a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans individuals and dedicating my services to the LGBTQ+ community in this capacity.

Several experiences that transpired during my upbringing played an integral role in cultivating my interest in becoming a physician, and helped me to develop the type of perseverance and fortitude necessary to achieve that pursuit. Three pivotal events, each occurring in 8th grade, served as catalysts for my career aspirations in the field of medicine, but it was the circumstances that occurred in school before that time that laid the foundation for those events to culminate into my drive to attain that occupational goal. Up until the 8th grade, I was enrolled in a school that espoused stereotypical gender norms and found myself immersed in an academic climate that viewed my boyish appearance and behavior with contempt. To the faculty and students, I was seen as an oddity; I lacked any modicum of femininity and deviated from their expectations regarding the pursuit of knowledge by young girls. As time passed, I came to realize that I did not live up to others’ expectations because I was not what others expected; I was a transgender male attempting to survive in an environment unconducive to my acceptance. Despite performing at the top of the class, I was routinely antagonized by my teachers and alienated by classmates. I endured that way of life for years, until one day, a faculty member who intended to shame me to my parents, inadvertently revealed to them my plight. That interaction led to my return to a public-school in the 8th grade where the first of my life changing experiences occurred almost immediately. Aside from hoping to fit in a bit better, my initial excitement about public school centered on opportunities to nurture my passion for drawing/painting through the multitude of available art classes. However, it ended up being another course that had the greatest impact on me that year. A few weeks into the school year, I had an eye-opening, life-changing experience when my biology teacher began a lesson on evolution. Although I had performed well in the science courses completed at my former school, I was unaware that my knowledge of biology was founded on a curriculum that emphasized creationism. My introduction to the evolutionary basis of life fascinated me, and I was eager to return home that afternoon to further research the topic. At the conclusion of my exciting explorations that day, I began to realistically contemplate my future and recognized that I wanted it somehow to involve biology. That initial spark of interest in biology was kindled throughout my medical transition. Adding to the physical and emotional validation of transitioning was my realization that surgery is an art form, thereby sparking an epiphany; I could combine my passion for art and interest in medicine into a fulfilling career in reconstructive surgery. Researching the field lent clarity to my ambitions of becoming a physician with aspirations to help play a role in restoring the physical integrity of those with birth defects, physical trauma, or gender dysphoria. However, my end goal isn’t to just work in healthcare. My ultimate ambition is to use the education and training attained through completing a medical degree in a manner that benefits those with limited means or access to proper medical care, and I intend to dedicate part of my future profession to a service-oriented organization such as Doctors without Borders. Overall, I am extremely excited at the prospect of a career in medicine and look forward to an academic journey leading to a lifetime of serving others in this capacity.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful as I recently learned of earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I will begin in Fall 2023. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing, and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to gender affirming surgery; an event that cast light on the paucity of available resources in my area. That artistic surgery led to an epiphany; I could meld my passion for art and serving the LGBTQ+ community, with my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to the personal experiences that initiated my journey towards working in the field of reconstructive/gender affirming surgery, my passion and inspiration for these endeavors come from my research on the work by Stanley H. Biber - A pioneer in sex reassignment surgery who helped modernize transgender healthcare. Biber recognized the importance of assessing a patient's goodness of fit for transitioning and revolutionized many of the techniques utilized to determine a patient's readiness and preparedness for the impending change. In essence, he was one of the first medical scientists to consider the mind-body interplay and the bidirectional nature of influence between one’s emotional and physical well-being with positive treatment outcomes. Although Dr. Biber was integral in taking the first steps towards addressing the totality of needs presented by trans individuals, transgender people continue to be routinely antagonized and ostracized for attempts to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. It is my goal to continue Dr. Biber’s crusade and mitigate the dysphoria of trans people, not only through advocacy, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. It is at this time that I take pause and reflect with gratitude to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of taking the first steps towards a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans and LGBTQ+ community. Overall, I am extremely excited at the prospect of a career in medicine, and look forward to the prospect of dedicating my services to the WNY’s trans community in this capacity.

My aspirations to become a physician, coupled with my desire to address the medical needs of LGBTQ+ community and surgical needs of trans people, have been the driving force behind my ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. My work in this regard has proven successful as I recently learned of earning Valedictorian status of my senior class; a feat that entailed significant effort and diligence to achieve. My commitment to these academic endeavors has been unwavering with the purposeful intent of preparing me for the rigors of the extremely competitive BS/MD dual degree program I will begin in Fall 2023. My interest in becoming a physician was sparked by many circumstances that occurred during my upbringing, and later fueled by the events that unfolded after socially coming out as a transgender male in the 8th grade. My proclamation at a young age was followed by an oftentimes painstaking journey that ultimately led me, years later, to gender affirming surgery; an event that cast light on the paucity of available resources in my area. That artistic surgery led to an epiphany; I could meld my passion for art and serving the LGBTQ+ community, with my interest in medicine into a career in reconstructive surgery for those with gender dysphoria. While I have endured a multitude of the struggles experienced by many members of the trans community, I am a firm believer that my successful perseverance of these obstacles, both in the past and those likely to occur in my future, will prove integral in helping me become a successful surgeon who is steadfast in promoting social justice, and dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to the personal experiences that initiated my journey towards working in the field of reconstructive/gender affirming surgery, my passion and inspiration for these endeavors come from my research on the work by Stanley H. Biber - A pioneer in sex reassignment surgery who helped modernize transgender healthcare. Biber recognized the importance of assessing a patient's goodness of fit for transitioning and revolutionized many of the techniques utilized to determine a patient's readiness and preparedness for the impending change. In essence, he was one of the first medical scientists to consider the mind-body interplay and the bidirectional nature of influence between one’s emotional and physical well-being with positive treatment outcomes. Although Dr. Biber was integral in taking the first steps towards addressing the totality of needs presented by trans individuals, transgender people continue to be routinely antagonized and ostracized for attempts to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. It is my goal to continue Dr. Biber’s crusade and mitigate the dysphoria of trans people, not only through advocacy, but by spearheading innovative practices to modernize and transform this field of medicine. It is at this time that I take pause and reflect with gratitude to be at this place in my life - at the precipice of taking the first steps towards a future I have consciously and purposefully planned out, and one that I witness in sincere reverence as it begins to unfold. Facing the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me (i.e., 4 years for bachelor's, 4 years for medical school, and multiple years for residency and fellowship), my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans and LGBTQ+ community. Overall, I am extremely excited at the prospect of a career in medicine, and look forward to the prospect of dedicating my services to the WNY’s trans community in this capacity.

Upon transferring to a public school institution from a private in 8th grade, I had a life-impacting experience when my biology teacher discussed aspects of evolution. Although I excelled in the science courses I had completed previously, the concept of evolution was rather novel to me as my prior school’s curriculum had emphasized creationism. The introduction to an evolutionary basis of life fascinated me, and for the first time, I realistically contemplated options for my future knowing that in some way it must involve biology. Over the years since that time, I nurtured my interests in the area by successfully completing advanced scientific coursework and participating in intellectually enriching clinical and laboratory-based activities that have introduced me to settings beyond the classroom. These ventures include participating in a two-week university-based summer research program, volunteering at a local hospital, shadowing a registered nurse, and shadowing a medical school student at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - experiences that have introduced me to the diverse applications of the field of biology. The lessons learned through these undertakings, coupled with my personal life and healthcare experiences, strengthened my intent to seek an undergraduate degree in biology, and helped me solidify my goal of pursuing a medical degree status-post matriculation from college. My interests and activities outside of my science endeavors have served to facilitate the growth of my social, emotional, and intellectual development. Specifically and in these regards, I have learned a great deal about the benefits of serving others and working towards the greater good of many. Through my leadership role as president of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club at North Tonawanda High School (NTHS), I addressed the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and successfully advocated for our school’s first gender neutral bathroom. Presiding over these GSA meetings necessitated the provision of educational leadership to our members, facilitation of discussions relevant to club members, and guidance of/support for inclusivity within my high school. My interests outside of academics involve my life-long love of art, and I have taken purposeful steps to nurture this passion through community service activities. The most notable are my volunteer activities with our local community art center involving my dedicated participation in two memorial fundraising events, and donation of my own artwork to their yearly “Art Off the Wall'' sale, which served to build my confidence as an artist and to fuel my appreciation of our area’s community of artists. With the close of my high school career nearing, I began researching institutions of higher education that would enable me to continue my exploration of the biological sciences within an intellectually challenging learning environment. After extensively researching the best method by which to attain my career aspiration of becoming a physician, I decided to apply to a streamlined admission program which provides an undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BS), and guaranteed acceptance into a partnered medical school (MD). I am proud to share that I have been accepted into one of these programs through SUNY Polytechnic in affiliation with SUNY Upstate Medical, and intend on using this position to better address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Turning to the distant future and looking beyond the 12+ year academic and training path ahead of me, my future sights involve my ultimate ambition of utilizing my medical degree in a manner that benefits the trans and LGBTQ+ community. Overall, I am extremely excited at the prospect of a career in medicine, and look forward to the prospect of dedicating my services to the trans community in this capacity.