As I slowly drive down Lipscomb Street, abandoned and worn-down houses surround me. Many of these houses have shattered windows—the aftermath of late-night violence. Children walk down the street in outgrown sneakers or are barefoot, finding pistol shell casings on the ground. As I enter the gates of the Master’s Workshop, it is clear this building is the community’s staple of hope. The Master’s Workshop provides an outlet for youth to escape the trauma they experience at home. Many of these youth are raised by their grandmother or single mother. At the age of two, I too found myself being raised by my newly single mother after my father and brother passed away in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. This shared experience made it easy to connect with the children and their families and instilled a desire to become a source of relief, comfort, and strength in my years to come. Fast forward a few years and I find myself volunteering at UF Health Shands Hospital, serving older adult patients who had limited social and emotional support. Before I could knock on the patient’s door, I heard a voice say, “Ethan! I’ve been expecting you!” I entered the room and greeted Ms. H. “I lost the Rubik’s Cube that we were playing with last week,” she uttered. “No worries! I will get you a new one right now.” Over the next hour, Ms. H and I spoke about her life and bonded over solving a Rubik’s Cube. Ms. H had been in the burn unit for weeks and had not had any visitors. Volunteering in the hospital allowed me to care for the emotional needs of underserved adult patients. I was given the opportunity to bring patients a small glimmer of fun, comfort, and conversation during a time when they may feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of the world. As Chief of Programming of a student organization volunteering in the hospital, I had the privilege of regularly creating and leading appreciation and service events for staff and patients. Success to me means excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities. Volunteering has shown me how the social determinants of health, such as healthcare access, neighborhood, and social and community context, have a humongous impact on the health of an individual. My personal and familial experiences have also largely shaped my educational path and professional aspirations. Witnessing the devastating impact of thyroid cancer in my uncle, breast cancer in my mom’s friends, and prostate cancer in my uncles and grandfather have fueled my desire to become a primary care physician who walks alongside my future patients and provide lifelong continual care. I am passionate about alleviating health disparities and ensuring healthcare becomes more equitable. As a future primary care physician, I envision myself providing comprehensive and holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and social needs of my diverse patients. Receiving the Redefining Victory Scholarship would bring me one step closer to fully focusing on my future patients and improving access to quality care.

As I stepped through the doorway of my grandparent's house and made my way toward their room, an unsettling feeling washed over me. Something was definitely off. My grandfather's shirt was lopsided, and the left side of his body appeared rigid and stiff. "Papa, can you try to walk over to me?" I asked. As he stumbled towards me, it became abundantly clear that a trip to the hospital was necessary. Hours passed, filled with numerous tests and anxious waiting until we finally learned that my grandfather had both an ischemic and a hemorrhagic stroke. The aftermath of these two strokes had left their mark on his frontal lobe and the left hemisphere of his brain. The path to recovery proved to be anything but easy. Trying to explain to my grandfather why he struggled with tasks such as counting money or remembering phone numbers he had known by heart for years was heartbreaking. Additionally, trying to convince him to do therapy and discharge him to a rehabilitation hospital for a few weeks was extremely difficult. My grandfather was not accustomed to therapists and never imagined he would have to relearn tasks like picking items up. Despite being there for him every step of the way, one thing I could not have prepared for was the immense mental anguish he would endure. The impact of my grandfather's strokes extended far beyond his memory and cognitive abilities; it reached into the depths of his mood, emotions, and overall well-being. I witnessed a whirlwind of alternating highs and lows. Prior to his strokes, I could recall only a handful of times I had seen my grandfather shed a tear. But in the aftermath of the strokes, it seemed as if I were always running to find tissues and offer solace. On the flip side, there emerged a previously unseen impulsivity and anger, as my grandfather became fixated on certain actions and thoughts that proved incredibly difficult to shake. Being by my grandfather's side during this season of depression, distress, anxiety, and grief has had a profound impact on me. Reading about mental health conditions is one thing, but experiencing them firsthand, or witnessing their effects on someone you love, is an entirely different matter altogether. I have gained a new and well-founded perspective on mental health and mental illness. Often, we struggle to find the perfect words or statements to comfort someone, when, in reality, the greatest form of comfort lies in simply being present. With my new understanding of how the brain serves as the epicenter of our thoughts, memories, and emotions, I have become increasingly interested in learning more about the complexities of the brain. I aim to contribute to increasing society's awareness and comprehension of mental health and illness, while also striving to break down barriers and reduce stigma. I aspire to become a psychiatrist with a utopian vision of excellent health, wellness, and well-being for all in a world without health disparities. Having more representation in medicine, especially mental health, is integral for having more communities of color seek mental health care. I plan to be an advocate for social change and social justice to encourage my community not to bottle things in. I am passionate about providing culturally and linguistically competent care to communities of color and addressing systemic barriers that continue to oppress us.

As a first-generation college student, the concept of generational wealth holds a special significance in my life. For me, it means breaking the cycle of financial instability and providing a stable future for my family and future generations. Building generational wealth involves the accumulation of financial assets and resources that are passed down from one generation to another, providing the next generation with the tools and resources needed to succeed. It is about creating a legacy that will benefit future generations and providing opportunities for my children and grandchildren to live their lives without worrying about their financial stability. To achieve this, I plan to focus on building a strong foundation for myself first by investing in my education and personal development to increase my earning potential. As a first-generation college student, I understand the critical role education plays in creating generational wealth. By obtaining a degree, I can increase my earning potential and provide a better life for my family. In addition to education, I plan to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, including stocks, real estate, and other investment opportunities. Real estate is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth over time. I plan to invest in rental properties that will provide a steady stream of passive income, helping me build wealth and providing me with a stable source of income during retirement. However, building wealth through investments is not enough. It is also essential to develop healthy financial habits. This means living below my means, saving aggressively, and avoiding unnecessary debt. By doing so, I can ensure that I am not only building wealth but also preserving it for future generations. Another critical aspect of building generational wealth is teaching my children and grandchildren about financial literacy. This includes teaching them about money management, investing, and the importance of saving. By doing this, I hope to create a family culture that values financial responsibility and wealth building. Through education and modeling good financial habits, I can ensure that my family is well-equipped to maintain and grow the wealth I leave behind. To conclude, I believe that building generational wealth is about breaking the cycle of financial instability and providing a stable future for my family. It involves investing in education and personal development, real estate, and other investment opportunities to provide future generations with the tools and resources they need to succeed. By developing healthy financial habits and teaching financial literacy to our children and grandchildren, we can ensure that our family's wealth is preserved and continues to grow for generations to come.