Growing up, I saw my parents embody perseverance. They became parents at just 18 years old, and throughout my childhood, they worked tirelessly to build a better life for my siblings and me. They returned to school to earn their degrees and invested in better neighborhoods and schools to provide us with greater opportunities. Currently, my parents are still paying off the mortgage for our home, which we bought in 2020. They are also repaying their student loans, covering two car payments, funding my college tuition, and preparing for my younger siblings’ futures. Additionally, I have severe asthma and rely on both daily and emergency inhalers, which adds to our financial burden. To help ease this situation, I actively seek scholarships to support my education and living expenses, including rent and MCAT study materials for the upcoming school year. Despite these challenges, I have never allowed my circumstances to limit my goals. As an honors student at North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU known for producing many Black Physicians, I’m majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology and currently hold a 3.7 GPA. My dream is to become an OB/GYN and advocate for underserved and underrepresented communities. This dream is deeply personal to me because Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. This disparity isn’t due to biology, but to systemic racism and implicit bias in healthcare. As a young Black woman with asthma, a condition that can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, I am acutely aware that even with a degree, insurance, and preparation, I may still face poor outcomes simply because of the color of my skin. My goal is to become a physician who addresses these disparities. During my 2024 research internship at the University of California, Irvine, I witnessed the importance of compassionate care. While shadowing doctors, I observed two different approaches to patient care: one physician took the time to listen with empathy, while another quickly dismissed the concerns of a woman of Hispanic descent about her eye simply because she had 20/20 vision. That moment served as a reminder that compassion isn’t about always agreeing, but about respecting a patient’s voice. This experience reinforced my goal of being a physician who not only treats patients but also hears and values their concerns. To better prepare for my future as a physician, I’ve dedicated myself to advocacy and community service. I serve as a mentor in the Biology Big Brother Big Sister Program, guiding underclassmen on everything from study habits to internship preparation. As a member of Global Medical Brigades, I’ve helped assemble healthcare packages for communities abroad. Elected Senator for the College of Science and Technology, I use this role to connect Biology students, especially aspiring Black physicians, with the resources and networks they need to succeed. My service also continues through my role as Historian for the National Council of Negro Women, where I work to increase engagement in service events such as tutoring youth and supporting underserved communities. I believe that everyone, regardless of race or background, deserves access to quality healthcare. By maximizing the resources available to me, I can begin building a more equitable system and supporting underserved communities, even before becoming a physician. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden on my family but also allow me to focus more fully on my studies, professional development, and advocacy efforts.

My name is Destiny Lewis-Upchurch, a rising senior at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. I aspire to become an OB/GYN because I care about women’s health and am deeply committed to confronting the inequities that persist in our healthcare system. It is unacceptable that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. As a young Black woman with chronic asthma, a factor that increases my own pregnancy risk, I don’t just read these statistics; I live with them. They reflect fear, families, and lives lost. I am determined to dedicate my medical career to advocating for the well-being of underserved communities and ensuring no one is overlooked because of the color of their skin. Increasing racial diversity in healthcare is essential to saving lives. Studies show that many medical students are still taught, or believe, harmful myths about Black patients. One study found that 40% of first-year and second-year students believed that Black people have thicker skin or feel less pain, which are false and dangerous ideas that can lead to inadequate treatment. This is why we need more physicians of color: to challenge misconceptions, speak from lived experiences, and ensure our communities are heard. During my clinical shadowing experience at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), I witnessed both the power of compassion and the danger of bias. One physician offered detailed, empathetic care to a young patient and their family. In contrast, another dismissed a Hispanic woman’s concerns, implying she didn’t understand her own body. That moment reminded me how easily patients can be ignored, and how powerful it is when physicians simply listen. If we don’t speak up and advocate for our communities, who will? Diversity also drives inclusive research. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects Black women at higher rates, remains under-researched. Much of medical research has historically centered on white populations, ignoring the ways diseases manifest differently across racial groups. Through my research at UCI and the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, I’ve seen how narrow research questions can overlook the needs of marginalized populations. When more Black researchers lead the work, we prioritize the conditions that affect us, improving outcomes and expanding the relevance of medical science. Representation matters outside the lab, too. When Black children see Black doctors, it plants the seed that they, too, can aspire to become medical professionals. Too often, media portrayals limit our identities to athletes or entertainers, but we are also scientists, educators, and leaders. As a mentor in the Biology Big Brother Big Sister Program and a newly elected Senator for the College of Science and Technology, I work to ensure my peers have access to the resources they need to succeed. By championing initiatives that support our academic and professional growth, I hope to see more Black students pursuing careers in healthcare and research. My journey to become an OB/GYN reflects a deeper purpose: to be an agent of justice, a voice for advocacy, and a symbol of representation in healthcare. I’ve witnessed how bias affects care, how underrepresentation limits progress, and how a lack of role models can discourage future leaders. Increasing racial diversity in healthcare brings new perspectives, fosters trust, and drives better outcomes for underserved communities. Through research, mentorship, clinical exposure, and leadership, I am committed to opening doors and lighting the path for those who come next.

Charity is important to me because it reflects my values of community, service, and advocacy. As a Biology Pre-Med student at North Carolina A&T and an aspiring OB/GYN, I am dedicated to uplifting those who are often underrepresented and underserved. This year, I participated in a career fair to expose underserved children to various career options for their futures, assembled care packages for those in need, and contributed to a toy drive. While these efforts may seem small, they provide me with a sense of purpose in supporting others in any way I can. Driven by my passion for helping others, I've taken on the leadership role of Senator for the College of Science and Technology (CoST) for the upcoming academic year. This position, which I hold voluntarily, reflects my commitment to making a positive change. My senator campaign, Hospital Bill C.O.S.T. (Community, Outreach, Success, and Transparency), stems from my own experiences as a student who didn’t know how to get involved. I aim to assist students in similar situations, enabling them to be successful. This role reflects my dedication to giving back through advocacy and outreach that directly addresses the needs of students and the community. In the future, I plan to give back as a physician by advocating for equity in maternal care, serving underserved communities, and contributing to the number of black physicians through mentoring. Charity is not just about giving, it is also about ensuring that others feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Being a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University means more to me than just earning a degree. It means being part of a legacy rooted in excellence, resilience, and purpose. NCAT has allowed me to grow as a scholar and a leader. As a second-year Biology student with a Psychology minor in the Honors College, I have learned to challenge my self-doubt, embrace discomfort, and pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach. The values I have gained at NCAT—leadership, service, academic excellence, and cultural pride—have shaped who I am and who I am becoming. During my time at NCAT, I have been intentional about not only learning in the classroom, but also applying that knowledge through service and research. I have joined organizations like the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, and the National Council of Negro Women, each reinforcing the importance of giving back and supporting others in their journeys. Whether I am mentoring through the Biology Big Brother Big Sister program or volunteering at Cone Health and local elementary schools, I am reminded daily that my purpose extends beyond myself. These experiences have contributed to my passion to become an OB/GYN who not only delivers medical care but also advocates for women, particularly Black women, who face healthcare disparities. The path to medicine has not always been easy. Living with asthma, eczema, and severe allergies taught me early on what it is like to navigate health challenges. These personal experiences, combined with alarming statistics about maternal mortality rates among Black women, inspired my career goal. I want to be a trusted healthcare provider who helps reduce racial health disparities and ensures that every patient is treated with dignity, compassion, and cultural understanding. Last summer, I took another step toward that goal through an eight-week undergraduate research internship at the University of California, Irvine, where I engaged in both scientific research and clinical experiences. This opportunity was a result of learning to take chances even when fear and self-doubt are present. During my first year, I often hesitated to apply for internships and scholarships, believing I was not qualified. But over time, I realized that growth comes from believing in myself and taking action. Since then, I have been accepted into the Honors College, awarded the Ronald Clyde Jamison Endowed Scholarship, and earned a spot on the Chancellor’s List multiple times, all of which are accomplishments I once thought were out of reach. In the future, I plan to attend medical school and specialize in obstetrics and gynecology with the goal of opening a practice that centers on holistic, equitable care for marginalized communities. I also hope to serve as a mentor for aspiring Black physicians, using my journey to inspire and support others. Through continued research, civic engagement, and global health initiatives like Global Medical Brigades, I will continue to uphold the values instilled in me at NCAT. Being a student at North Carolina A&T means honoring a rich legacy and preparing to build one of my own. I am committed to carrying that legacy forward through my education, my service, and my future work as a physician.