Growing up in North Tulsa, the journey to becoming a future physician has been filled with financial challenges and profound realizations. I witnessed firsthand the lack of representation in the medical field and the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes within underserved communities like my own. These experiences have fueled my determination to become a physician committed to serving and uplifting marginalized communities. Throughout my academic and extracurricular endeavors, I have actively worked towards addressing the systemic barriers that hinder equitable access to healthcare and educational opportunities. As the chapter president of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), I championed the cause of underrepresented minority students in medicine and advocated for diversity within the healthcare workforce. Additionally, my role as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow enabled me to establish a high school health careers program aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and fostering a school-to-healthcare-career pipeline. Through these initiatives, I have witnessed the transformative power of education and mentorship in empowering individuals to pursue careers in healthcare and advocate for their own well-being. One of my primary involvements is with the Blue Dot Cohort Initiative based in Tulsa that specifically targets Black maternal mental health. Working alongside a dedicated team, I have been actively engaged in studying the unique challenges faced by Black mothers and exploring interventions to support their mental well-being during the perinatal period. Through data collection, analysis, and participation in community listening circles, I have strived to bridge the gap in resources and advocate for improved mental healthcare services for this vulnerable population. My goals and aspirations will continue after I graduate as a future ObGyn physician. Moreover, my involvement in organizations such as the American Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association, Tulsa County Medical Society, and the Oklahoma State Medical Association has deepened my understanding of the interconnectedness between patient advocacy and community health. As a future osteopathic physician, I am committed to advocating for equitable healthcare policies and addressing the social determinants of health that perpetuate these disparities. Receiving the Balancing Act Scholarship would not only support my educational journey but also enable me to further my efforts in making a meaningful and lasting impact in underserved communities. I am dedicated to becoming a compassionate, effective, and transformative servant leader and physician who prioritizes patient-centered care and community engagement. Thank you for considering my application. I am truly honored to be considered for this scholarship opportunity.

I extended my index finger and placed it under her nose. Warm, moist air rhythmically hit my finger as my mother inhaled and exhaled. A tightness eased in my chest. She was still breathing, but why wasn’t she moving? “She’s going to be okay. She’s just tired,” I said to my weeping baby sister, scooping her up in my arms. In reality, my 9-year-old mind had no idea what was wrong with our mother. One moment she was cooking dinner, and the next she was on the floor. I will never forget feeling so helpless, seeing the glossy sheen of fear reflected in 5 pairs of widened eyes as my siblings looked at me for guidance. No one in my family had even taken a basic CPR class. All we could do is wait for EMS to arrive. I knew then that I never wanted to feel so helpless when someone needed me in a medical situation. This frustration turned into the fuel that drove my passion into becoming a physician. From the chaos and uncertainty that followed trying to determine a diagnosis, I found myself discerning the type of physician I wanted to become. “I feel like they’re not listening to me.” I shared my mother’s frustrations as I watched her in and out of hospitals. My mother went to many doctors for her ailments that she felt did not listen to her concerns. She was given medication for an issue, but no discussion of preventative measures. We only understood the importance of having a doctor who could relate to the nuances of culture and societal differences when she went to a doctor that invested the time and resources into educating my mother about her conditions. He related on a personal level and focused more on her health holistically. Unfortunately, my mother’s story is not unique to an area that is underserved and underequipped to deal with not only the financial, but social misgivings of the inner city. Being a first-generation student, I didn’t have many people to look to for advice in my medical journey. However, I was determined to find a way to become a physician who listened and fought for my patients and shared in their frustrations and triumphs, much like the physician that finally was able to find a diagnosis for my mother. This realization has impacted my goals and journey to becoming a physician. I know that the path to becoming a physician is trying. Whenever the journey gets difficult, I remember my “why”. I remind myself of my mother and others like her who are in underserved areas, hoping to have a physician who listens and advocates for them. I am reminded of the young girls who look like me, look up to me as a role model, and are encouraged to pursue a career in STEM. These ideas are what continue to push me toward making a difference through medicine.