A foundational experience that opened the door to medicine was working at my family's optical practice. My mother is an optometrist, and our practice was the first in the small town's history. When I was young, my jobs included sweeping floors and cleaning glasses. Over time, I filled numerous positions, including receptionist, optical technician, and sales associate. I shadowed my mom and observed how she juggled being a working mother, business owner, and medical representative of our small community, which instilled in me the work ethic I have today. I learned that many of the patients had never been to an optometrist or been fitted for glasses due to the lack of providers in the area, opening my eyes to deficiencies in care in rural areas. My favorite part of this experience was talking with the patients and listening to their stories. I have found motivation through volunteering with underserved populations in my new community. Some of the issues I have seen firsthand are related to the social determinants of health. While shadowing in a rural family clinic in Kingsport, Tennessee, I was able to help a patient attain affordable, healthy food alternatives and find resources to help pay for their medications. Today, I am a second-year medical student at the Quillen College of Medicine in the Rural Primary Care Track program. A small cohort of students and I are preparing to become primary care doctors and practice in rural or underserved areas of the country. One of the program's core didactic learning priorities focuses on combating health disparities and inequities in our patient population. Some issues that I am passionate about and will address in my future practice include accessibility to care regarding mental health services, specialty care consultations, and access to preventative women's health services. 20% of the United States population lives in rural areas, but only about 10% of doctors serve this population. This healthcare provider deficiency is one of many barriers that rural Americans face when it comes to healthcare. After completing medical school and residency, I will practice as a rural family doctor in Tennessee, providing care to a population in need and ensuring that the people in my community can attain their highest level of health despite the inequities they may face. My dream of becoming a rural family doctor developed through years of being in patient care settings and serving my community. Providing compassionate and comprehensive medical care will be the core value at the center of my practice. Growing up with a family business in a rural area taught me about financial hardship/anxiety, chronic stress, and making sacrifices for family. I will be able to empathize with my patients in a way that other providers cannot. I will have a patient-centered approach that considers how personal stressors impact mental and physical health.

A foundational experience that opened the door to medicine was working at my family's optical practice. My mother is an optometrist, and our practice was the first in the small town's history. When I was young, my jobs included sweeping floors and cleaning glasses. Over time, I filled numerous positions, including receptionist, optical technician, and sales associate. I shadowed my mom and observed how she juggled being a working mother, business owner, and medical representative of our small community, which instilled in me the work ethic I have today. I learned that many of the patients had never been to an optometrist or been fitted for glasses due to the lack of providers in the area, opening my eyes to deficiencies in care in rural areas. My favorite part of this experience was talking with the patients and listening to their stories. In March 2020, my family faced an unexpected financial crisis with the onset of the pandemic, just as our business was beginning to support itself. By the time we were allowed to reopen, the financial burden of operation was too much to overcome. Despite their education, hard work, and responsible living, my parents closed the doors to their dreams. We coped with this severe loss by supporting each other and pushing forward. That summer, my mom started working full-time at an optical chain, and I got my first real job outside the family business. In college, I held one or more jobs at a time to help pay for school and living expenses. Being financially independent was a great challenge in addition to a rigorous pre-medical curriculum. However, I found motivation through volunteering with underserved populations in my new community. Some of the issues I have seen firsthand are related to the social determinants of health. While shadowing in a rural family clinic in Kingsport, Tennessee, I was able to help a patient attain affordable, healthy food alternatives and find resources to help pay for their medications. Today, I am a second-year medical student at the Quillen College of Medicine in the Rural Primary Care Track program. A small cohort of students and I are preparing to become primary care doctors and practice in rural or underserved areas of the country. One of the program's core didactic learning priorities focuses on combating health disparities and inequities in our patient population. Some issues that I am passionate about and will address in my future practice include accessibility to care regarding mental health services, specialty care consultations, and access to preventative women's health services. 20% of the United States population lives in rural areas, but only about 10% of doctors serve this population. This healthcare provider deficiency is one of many barriers that rural Americans face when it comes to healthcare. After completing medical school and residency, I will practice as a rural family doctor in Tennessee, providing care to a population in need and ensuring that the people in my community can attain their highest level of health despite the inequities they may face. My dream of becoming a rural family doctor developed through years of being in patient care settings and serving my community. Providing compassionate and comprehensive medical care will be the core value at the center of my practice. Growing up with a family business in a rural area taught me about financial hardship/anxiety, chronic stress, and making sacrifices for family. I will be able to empathize with my patients in a way that other providers cannot. I will have a patient-centered approach that considers how personal stressors impact both mental and physical health.

A foundational experience that opened the door to medicine was working at my family's optical practice. My mother is an optometrist, and our practice was the first in the small town's history. When I was young, my jobs included sweeping floors and cleaning glasses. Over time, I filled numerous positions, including receptionist, optical technician, and sales associate. I shadowed my mom and observed how she juggled being a working mother, business owner, and medical representative of our small community, which instilled in me the work ethic I have today. I learned that many of the patients had never been to an optometrist or been fitted for glasses due to the lack of providers in the area, opening my eyes to deficiencies in care in rural areas. My favorite part of this experience was talking with the patients and listening to their stories. In March 2020, my family faced an unexpected financial crisis with the onset of the pandemic, just as our business was beginning to support itself. By the time we were allowed to reopen, the financial burden of operation was too much to overcome. Despite their education, hard work, and responsible living, my parents closed the doors to their dreams. We coped with this severe loss by supporting each other and pushing forward. That summer, my mom started working full-time at an optical chain, and I got my first real job outside the family business. In college, I held one or more jobs at a time to help pay for school and living expenses. Being financially independent was a great challenge in addition to a rigorous pre-medical curriculum. However, I found motivation through volunteering with underserved populations in my new community. Some of the issues I have seen firsthand are related to the social determinants of health. While shadowing in a rural family clinic in Kingsport, Tennessee, I was able to help a patient attain affordable, healthy food alternatives and find resources to help pay for their medications. Today, I am a second-year medical student at the Quillen College of Medicine in the Rural Primary Care Track program. A small cohort of students and I are preparing to become primary care doctors and practice in rural or underserved areas of the country. One of the program's core didactic learning priorities focuses on combating health disparities and inequities in our patient population. Some issues that I am passionate about and will address in my future practice include accessibility to care regarding mental health services, specialty care consultations, and access to preventative women's health services. 20% of the United States population lives in rural areas, but only about 10% of doctors serve this population. This healthcare provider deficiency is one of many barriers that rural Americans face when it comes to healthcare. After completing medical school and residency, I will practice as a rural family doctor in Tennessee, providing care to a population in need and ensuring that the people in my community can attain their highest level of health despite the inequities they may face. My dream of becoming a rural family doctor developed through years of being in patient care settings and serving my community. Providing compassionate and comprehensive medical care will be the core value at the center of my practice. Growing up with a family business in a rural area taught me about financial hardship/anxiety, chronic stress, and making sacrifices for family. I will be able to empathize with my patients in a way that other providers cannot. I will have a patient-centered approach that considers how personal stressors impact mental and physical health.