Seeing my grandmother rushed to the hospital, as she was struggling to breathe and gasping for each breath, made me feel like my heart dropped to my stomach. She’s my best friend and always taught me to stand up for my beliefs, act with empathy, and stay true to myself. Despite clear signs of distress, the sense of urgency faded as she was greeted by doctors and nurses who acted as if nothing was wrong. I knew this wasn’t right and advocated for her health, urging the doctors to run more tests and find out the root of her debilitating pain. That experience blatantly showed me how racial disparities in medicine are often suppressed and disregarded, and how deeply they could impact someone I loved. It taught me that medicine extends beyond science and providing care; it’s about advocating for others who are frequently overlooked. My grandmother's recent diagnoses of heart failure and an uncommon autoimmune disease, along with other unknown illnesses that have also contributed to her pain, have been challenging to navigate as a family and for me. Seeing first-hand how she has struggled to find the root cause of her problems and a doctor who will better understand her, culturally and emotionally, has sparked my drive to become the first doctor in my family. When heart problems and other health disparities are so common in the Black community, it can be hard to truly connect with doctors. Sometimes it feels like they don’t fully see or understand us and what we’re carrying. Because of this, I believe it is essential to have Black diversity in the medical field. Each time my grandmother encounters a Black doctor, her eyes light up with confidence, as she hopes that this will be the doctor who can connect the dots in her illnesses. The internship opportunities with Doctors on Board, UCSF Brain Camp, and the Perry Outreach Program have deepened my understanding of the body's complexities, the evolution of these conditions, and the role of modern medicine in making them more manageable. I want to be a part of innovating advancements in medicine that not only prevent disease but also elevate communities that are too often dismissed, forgotten, or ignored by advocating for culturally responsive healthcare because everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for — no matter their background. My passion for improving the world drives my aspiration to help others. My ability to deeply connect with others is deeply rooted in where I grew up, surrounded by cultural diversity, art, and resiliency. The Bay Area has instilled in me my heritage, heart for change, and willingness to adapt. I have always been known as a caring, kind, and helpful friend, open and willing to support those around me. I credit my love of caring for others to my grandmother, whose health challenges have taught me to be more intentional in how I impact those around me. I want to change the narrative and rewrite my story by becoming a doctor who ignites change and advocates for others in overlooked communities, just as I have with my grandmother. My aspirations to be the first in my family to attend college and pursue a career in the health field will enable me to provide personalized care for my Black patients, both in the Bay Area and globally, where more equitable medical treatment is necessary for all our futures.

eing my grandmother rushed to the hospital, as she was struggling to breathe and gasping for each breath, made me feel like my heart dropped to my stomach. She’s my best friend and always taught me to stand up for my beliefs, act with empathy, and stay true to myself. Despite clear signs of distress, the sense of urgency faded as she was greeted by doctors and nurses who acted as if nothing was wrong. I knew this wasn’t right and advocated for her health, urging the doctors to run more tests and find out the root of her debilitating pain. That experience blatantly showed me how racial disparities in medicine are often suppressed and disregarded, and how deeply they could impact someone I loved. It taught me that medicine extends beyond science and providing care; it’s about advocating for others who are frequently overlooked. My grandmother's recent diagnoses of heart failure and an uncommon autoimmune disease, along with other unknown illnesses that have also contributed to her pain, have been challenging to navigate as a family and for me. Seeing first-hand how she has struggled to find the root cause of her problems and a doctor who will better understand her, culturally and emotionally, has sparked my drive to become the first doctor in my family. When heart problems and other health disparities are so common in the Black community, it can be hard to truly connect with doctors. Sometimes it feels like they don’t fully see or understand us and what we’re carrying. Because of this, I believe it is essential to have Black diversity in the medical field. Each time my grandmother encounters a Black doctor, her eyes light up with confidence, as she hopes that this will be the doctor who can connect the dots in her illnesses. The internship opportunities with Doctors on Board, UCSF Brain Camp, and the Perry Outreach Program have deepened my understanding of the body's complexities, the evolution of these conditions, and the role of modern medicine in making them more manageable. I want to be a part of innovating advancements in medicine that not only prevent disease but also elevate communities that are too often dismissed, forgotten, or ignored by advocating for culturally responsive healthcare because everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for — no matter their background. My passion for improving the world drives my aspiration to help others. My ability to deeply connect with others is deeply rooted in where I grew up, surrounded by cultural diversity, art, and resiliency. The Bay Area has instilled in me my heritage, heart for change, and willingness to adapt. I have always been known as a caring, kind, and helpful friend, open and willing to support those around me. I credit my love of caring for others to my grandmother, whose health challenges have taught me to be more intentional in how I impact those around me. I want to change the narrative and rewrite my story by becoming a doctor who ignites change and advocates for others in overlooked communities, just as I have with my grandmother. My aspirations to be the first in my family to attend college and pursue a career in the health field will enable me to provide personalized care for my Black patients, both in the Bay Area and globally, where more equitable medical treatment is necessary for all our futures.