I live in a very rural community in small-town Alabama in a town named "Opp". Opp stands for Opportunity, and we have deemed ourself "The City of Opportunity." However, since the late 1990s, our area has been lacking in opportunity. In the late 1900's, our main employer and economic driving force, a textile mill operation, closed. Within 10 years of the first factory closing, all of the others closed as well, leaving the site abandoned, hundreds of families displaced, and a dying economy in its place. Today, our community is still struggling from this loss, and unfortunately, that impact did not skip the healthcare field. A large part of my drive for going into this field stems from the need for well-trained, compassionate providers, on every level in my community. The doctors at the ER are contracted in from out of town, as are many of the nurses. A lot of our EMS providers are coming from larger surrounding cities, as are the ambulance companies. While this does not speak to their ability as providers, I do think it makes a difference in their approach to the community members in our area. Being from this area and working in this area comes with a sort of sensitivity towards your neighbors. You are aware of their day-to-day surroundings, activities, and likely their friends and family. In a way, they are like family, like "one of your own," which means you immediately desire the best care available for them, without knowing them. That connection matters in rural healthcare. Not unlike many other healthcare professionals, personal experiences are also a huge driving force for my desire to enter this field. I have always known that I have a calling to help others, which is why I ended up with a bachelors degree in social work. However, recently, I realized that I want to help people in a different way. My grandmother fell ill, was flown to a large hospital a couple hours away, spent a week on a ventilator, in and out of ICU's, SICU's, PICU's. You name it, she was likely there for some time. The care and compassion that she received at this larger hospital was phenomenal. Everyone, from specialty doctors to CNAs to housekeeping staff, was kind, compassionate, understanding, and took the time to explain everything to our family in great detail, no matter how difficult the circumstances were. I was incredibly appreciative, but a small part of me felt sad for my hometown and sad for those who don't have the option of going to a bigger "fancier" facility. While our community is smaller and poorer than some of our surrounding communities, that is no reason why we should receive lesser healthcare. If I can turn my Basic EMT training into a Paramedic license and provide above-average healthcare to even one individual in our community, I will be making a difference. That difference is a difference that the people of my community desire and deserve. This scholarship will get me one step closer to that goal, which means our community is one step closer to well-trained, compassionate, local healthcare providers working together for this city and its people. I have always known I was meant to help others, and I would love nothing more than to serve my city and my neighbors by being a friendly face, a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on during difficult times. I will provide unbiased, knowledge-based care to our community, while educating my patients where others have not. Thank you for your time, and thank you for your consideration.