Walking through the bustling hallways of St. David’s Medical Center, my ears were filled with the rhythmic sounds of monitors, the shuffling footsteps of on-call nurses, and, most importantly, the sharp ringing of Dr. Arroway’s pager. From each ring, my anticipation intensified; I was exhilarated to rush alongside toward the patient’s room. As Dr. Arroway swung the door open and ran alongside her patient, she immediately began comforting her, easing all physical and emotional discomfort. What stood out to me was Dr. Arroway's unexpected switch from English to Spanish. Hearing her talk to her patient through breathing exercises and witnessing her shift from agony to laughter amazed me. My following words, “You did terrific, Dr.,” received a reply, “It wasn’t me. It was the patient,” lingered with me long after I left the room. Observing the patient's and physician's interaction highlighted patient-centered care's impact on a patient's overall well-being. Witnessing Dr. Arroway emulate what it means to put a patient first solidified my passion for becoming a physician. Therefore, I hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of my future patients by providing them with confidence through vulnerable times and eliminating any idea of fear or distrust while under my care. My first notable encounter with medicine was during the many doctor visits I accompanied my grandmother to at Parkland Hospital. Navigating the hospital and trying to interpret complex medical terms for her made me realize how difficult it was for me as her translator and, more importantly, for her as a patient. The confusion on her face and discomfort in her eyes showed how overwhelming it was for her to understand her medical situation. Even when the physician explained her predisposition to hypertension, all I could hear was a stream of unfamiliar medical jargon. I felt helpless, unable to support my grandmother as her primary source of aid. So, I dedicated my time to researching hypertension prevention methods and learned how to interpret systolic and diastolic pressure readings. This experience taught me how essential cultural competency is for delivering care in a way that’s understandable for patients. As a future physician, I plan to collaborate with patients from diverse settings to ensure the acknowledgement of respecting their beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and values. During my second semester of sophomore year, I gained the opportunity to shadow multiple surgeries and interact with an array of physicians across various medical specialties. Unfortunately, knowing that Black physicians make up only 5.7% of physicians was a daunting statistic, especially knowing that I would be navigating medicine as an underrepresented minority. Instead of allowing the lack of diversity in medicine to deter me from pursuing the career, I’m using it as an encouragement to continue striving for change. By raising the 5.7% of Black physicians, lowering racial discrimination towards minorities in the health care system would be more achievable. Furthermore, having diverse patients gain greater access to diverse physicians would cultivate a culturally safe environment for patients from all backgrounds. Decreasing the effects of health disparities on minority populations is an objective that I hope to take on as a Black physician. My relentless pursuit of medicine is ignited by my desire to increase the number of minority physicians who are culturally aware of issues facing disadvantaged communities. Reflecting on my experiences, I’ve learned the importance of establishing equitable healthcare for patients from all walks of life, strengthening my commitment to medicine. As a future physician, I aim to uphold myself to the principles of patient-centered care, cultural competence, and the promotion of racial equity to ensure positive healthcare experiences for all.

Walking through the bustling hallways of St. David’s Medical Center, my ears were filled with the rhythmic sounds of monitors, the shuffling footsteps of on-call nurses, and, most importantly, the sharp ringing of Dr. Arroway’s pager. From each ring, my anticipation intensified; I was exhilarated to rush alongside toward the patient’s room. As Dr. Arroway swung the door open and ran alongside her patient, she immediately began comforting her, easing all physical and emotional discomfort. What stood out to me was Dr. Arroway's unexpected switch from English to Spanish. Hearing her talk to her patient through breathing exercises and witnessing her shift from agony to laughter amazed me. My following words, “You did terrific, Dr.,” received a reply, “It wasn’t me. It was the patient,” lingered with me long after I left the room. Observing the patient's and physician's interaction highlighted patient-centered care's impact on a patient's overall well-being. Witnessing Dr. Arroway emulate what it means to put a patient first solidified my passion for becoming a physician. Therefore, I hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of my future patients by providing them with confidence through vulnerable times and eliminating any idea of fear or distrust while under my care. My first notable encounter with medicine was during the many doctor visits I accompanied my grandmother to at Parkland Hospital. Navigating the hospital and trying to interpret complex medical terms for her made me realize how difficult it was for me as her translator and, more importantly, for her as a patient. The confusion on her face and discomfort in her eyes showed how overwhelming it was for her to understand her medical situation. Even when the physician explained her predisposition to hypertension, all I could hear was a stream of unfamiliar medical jargon. I felt helpless, unable to support my grandmother as her primary source of aid. So, I dedicated my time to researching hypertension prevention methods and learned how to interpret systolic and diastolic pressure readings. This experience taught me how essential cultural competency is for delivering care in a way that’s understandable for patients. As a future physician, I plan to collaborate with patients from diverse settings to ensure the acknowledgement of respecting their beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and values. During my second semester of sophomore year, I gained the opportunity to shadow multiple surgeries and interact with an array of physicians across various medical specialties. Unfortunately, knowing that Black physicians make up only 5.7% of physicians was a daunting statistic, especially knowing that I would be navigating medicine as an underrepresented minority. Instead of allowing the lack of diversity in medicine to deter me from pursuing the career, I’m using it as an encouragement to continue striving for change. By raising the 5.7% of Black physicians, lowering racial discrimination towards minorities in the health care system would be more achievable. Furthermore, having diverse patients gain greater access to diverse physicians would cultivate a culturally safe environment for patients from all backgrounds. Decreasing the effects of health disparities on minority populations is an objective that I hope to take on as a Black physician. My relentless pursuit of medicine is ignited by my desire to increase the number of minority physicians who are culturally aware of issues facing disadvantaged communities. Reflecting on my experiences, I’ve learned the importance of establishing equitable healthcare for patients from all walks of life, strengthening my commitment to medicine. As a future physician, I aim to uphold myself to the principles of patient-centered care, cultural competence, and the promotion of racial equity to ensure positive healthcare experiences for all.

While navigating my first year at UT, I have explored various extracurriculars and organizations that align with my ultimate goal of making a difference in healthcare. I decided to join a research lab that was centered on understanding the underlying effects that racism has on people of color in a college setting. I was able to work closely with our participants and read the data trends received to pinpoint the causes of racial discrimination against minorities on campus. Working with the professor for our lab, a black woman with a PhD, inspired me to pursue higher education after my undergraduate career. While working in the lab, I realized that my passion was not only in analyzing data but also in understanding how public health relates to disparities within medicine. This has motivated me to obtain my Master of Public Health before committing to my career in Health Information Management. In addition, pursuing my degree in health informatics has given me a passion for telemedicine healthcare. Once positioned in this role, I was tasked with networking with over 50 school nurses across the Dallas Forth-Worth (DFW) area to find effective ways to implement telehealth services in their institutions. When attempting to implement telehealth services, our department faced the issue of providing affordable care for patients from all economic backgrounds. Understanding the needs of these patients provided us with an adequate understanding of how to apply our technology services in an affordable way that every child in the (DFW) area had access to without restrictions. When it was time for me to conclude the internship, our team devised a plan to dissolve the lack of accessibility by implementing a tele-health service costing only $50 for patients to gain primary care services regardless of their financial situation. Due to the experiences gained in this technology and health-based internship, I could apply a digital solution by simply understanding the underlying causes of health disparities in DFW. One of the most heartwarming moments of working in the internship was realizing that the department was female-dominated. This gave me a beacon of hope that the tech industry is a space that allows women to play a dominant role. Striving to pursue a STEM-focused career has had many bumps in the road, but ultimately led me to pursue my career as a Health Information Management Analyst. As the city of Dallas continues to expand, more families are ridden with medical accessibility issues. My goal is to make a timely difference for families and show the future generation of young girls that they can also break into the tech industry regardless of the dominance men still hold.

Throughout my childhood, my immigrant parents emphasized the importance of choosing a career path that would lead to financial stability. Seeing my parents struggle financially throughout my adolescent years urged me to follow their advice. It wasn't until I entered college that I realized I could choose a career path that alleviated the financial burden my family and I experienced throughout the years and allowed me to make a change in my community. While living in Dallas, Texas, I witnessed the extreme setbacks that medical accessibility had on economically disadvantaged families in my community. Families had to choose between going to the hospital to ultimately pay an unaffordable medical bill or deciding between a meal for the night. Through witnessing and experiencing this situation growing up, I decided my career would be in medicine. Little did I know this passion would lead me to pursue a major in Health Informatics. While navigating my first year at UT, I have explored various extracurriculars and organizations that align with my ultimate goal of making a difference in healthcare. I decided to join a research lab that was centered on understanding the underlying effects that racism has on people of color in a college setting. I was able to work closely with our participants and read the data trends received to pinpoint the causes of racial discrimination against minorities on campus. Working with the professor for our lab, a black woman with a PhD, inspired me to pursue higher education after my undergraduate career. While working in the lab, I realized that my passion was not only in analyzing data but also in understanding how public health relates to disparities within medicine. This has motivated me to obtain my Master of Public Health before committing to my career in Health Information Management. In addition, pursuing my degree in health informatics has given me a passion for telemedicine healthcare. Once positioned in this role, I was tasked with networking with over 50 school nurses across the Dallas Forth-Worth (DFW) area to find effective ways to implement telehealth services in their institutions. When attempting to implement telehealth services, our department faced the issue of providing affordable care for patients from all economic backgrounds. Understanding the needs of these patients provided us with an adequate understanding of how to apply our technology services in an affordable way that every child in the (DFW) area had access to without restrictions. When it was time for me to conclude the internship, our team devised a plan to dissolve the lack of accessibility by implementing a tele-health service costing only $50 for patients to gain primary care services regardless of their financial situation. Due to the experiences gained in this technology and health-based internship, I could apply a digital solution by simply understanding the underlying causes of health disparities in DFW. One of the most heartwarming moments of working in the internship was realizing that the department was female-dominated. This gave me a beacon of hope that the tech industry is a space that allows women to play a dominant role. Striving to pursue a STEM-focused career has had many bumps in the road, but ultimately led me to pursue my career as a Health Information Management Analyst. As the city of Dallas continues to expand, more families are ridden with medical accessibility issues. My goal is to make a timely difference for families and show the future generation of young girls that they can also break into the tech industry regardless of the dominance men still hold.

Throughout my childhood, my immigrant parents emphasized the importance of choosing a career path that would lead to financial stability. Seeing my parents struggle financially throughout my adolescent years urged me to follow their advice. It wasn't until I entered college that I realized I could choose a career path that alleviated the financial burden my family and I experienced throughout the years and allowed me to make a change in my community. While living in Dallas, Texas, I witnessed the extreme setbacks that medical accessibility had on economically disadvantaged families in my community. Families had to choose between going to the hospital to ultimately pay an unaffordable medical bill or deciding between a meal for the night. Through witnessing and experiencing this situation growing up, I decided my career would be in medicine. Little did I know this passion would lead me to pursue a major in Health Informatics. While navigating my first year at UT, I have explored various extracurriculars and organizations that align with my ultimate goal of making a difference in healthcare. I decided to join a research lab that was centered on understanding the underlying effects that racism has on people of color in a college setting. I was able to work closely with our participants and read the data trends received to pinpoint the causes of racial discrimination against minorities on campus. Working with the professor for our lab, a black woman with a PhD, inspired me to pursue higher education after my undergraduate career. While working in the lab, I realized that my passion was not only in analyzing data but also in understanding how public health relates to disparities within medicine. This has motivated me to obtain my Master of Public Health before committing to my career in Health Information Management. In addition, pursuing my degree in health informatics has given me a passion for telemedicine healthcare. Once positioned in this role, I was tasked with networking with over 50 school nurses across the Dallas Forth-Worth (DFW) area to find effective ways to implement telehealth services in their institutions. When attempting to implement telehealth services, our department faced the issue of providing affordable care for patients from all economic backgrounds. Understanding the needs of these patients provided us with an adequate understanding of how to apply our technology services in an affordable way that every child in the (DFW) area had access to without restrictions. When it was time for me to conclude the internship, our team devised a plan to dissolve the lack of accessibility by implementing a tele-health service costing only $50 for patients to gain primary care services regardless of their financial situation. Due to the experiences gained in this technology and health-based internship, I could apply a digital solution by simply understanding the underlying causes of health disparities in DFW. One of the most heartwarming moments of working in the internship was realizing that the department was female-dominated. This gave me a beacon of hope that the tech industry is a space that allows women to play a dominant role. Striving to pursue a STEM-focused career has had many bumps in the road, but ultimately led me to pursue my career as a Health Information Management Analyst. As the city of Dallas continues to expand, more families are ridden with medical accessibility issues. My goal is to make a timely difference for families and show the future generation of young girls that they can also break into the tech industry regardless of the dominance men still hold.

The summer before my junior year of high school, I worked in the telehealth department of Children’s Health Hospital. This opportunity allowed me to witness the intersection of healthcare and technology and its impact on providing accessible care to patients. Once positioned in this role, I was tasked with networking with over 50 school nurses across the Dallas Forth-Worth (DFW) area to find effective ways to implement telehealth services in their institutions. Prioritizing communication between the nurses and relaying this information to my department was detrimental to implementing a sustainable telehealth network across all schools in our area. Little did I know this would be my first experience applying my unknown knowledge of informatics. When attempting to implement telehealth services, our department faced the issue of providing affordable care for patients from all economic backgrounds. Understanding the needs of these patients provided us with an adequate understanding of how to apply our technology services in an affordable way that every child in the (DFW) area had access to without restrictions. When it was time for me to conclude the internship, our team devised a plan to dissolve the lack of accessibility by implementing a tele-health service costing only $50 for patients to gain primary care services regardless of their financial situation. Due to the experiences gained in this technology and health-based internship, I could apply a digital solution by simply understanding the underlying causes of health disparities in DFW. Through this experience, I desired to advance these minor skills into a life-long career where I could continue implementing similar procedures. A degree in informatics will equip me to enhance the skills I gained in my internship and devise many more technological solutions to active issues facing the disadvantaged health community. The MD/MPH program offers a unique blend of clinical expertise and public health insight. With an MD, I aim to directly impact patient care by diagnosing illnesses and devising treatment plans. However, my ambitions extend beyond individual patient encounters; I aspire to tackle broader health disparities and systemic issues affecting communities. The MPH component will give me the tools to analyze population health trends, implement preventive strategies, and advocate for policies promoting equity and well-being. Whether it's combating infectious diseases, addressing social determinants of health, or promoting health education, the MPH lens will magnify the impact of my medical interventions. The scope of health informatics will provide me with a range of possibilities within many career and educational advancements. This ultimately gravitates me toward pursuing the interdisciplinary degree because of the vast opportunities I will make in impacting the greater community.

The summer before my junior year of high school, I worked in the telehealth department of Children’s Health Hospital. This opportunity allowed me to witness the intersection of healthcare and technology and its impact on providing accessible care to patients. Once positioned in this role, I was tasked with networking with over 50 school nurses across the Dallas Forth-Worth (DFW) area to find effective ways to implement telehealth services in their institutions. Prioritizing communication between the nurses and relaying this information to my department was detrimental to implementing a sustainable telehealth network across all schools in our area. Little did I know this would be my first experience applying my unknown knowledge of informatics. When attempting to implement telehealth services, our department faced the issue of providing affordable care for patients from all economic backgrounds. Understanding the needs of these patients provided us with an adequate understanding of how to apply our technology services in an affordable way that every child in the (DFW) area had access to without restrictions. When it was time for me to conclude the internship, our team devised a plan to dissolve the lack of accessibility by implementing a tele-health service costing only $50 for patients to gain primary care services regardless of their financial situation. Due to the experiences gained in this technology and health-based internship, I could apply a digital solution by simply understanding the underlying causes of health disparities in DFW. Through this experience, I desired to advance these minor skills into a life-long career where I could continue implementing similar procedures. A degree in informatics will equip me to enhance the skills I gained in my internship and devise many more technological solutions to active issues facing the disadvantaged health community. The MD/MPH program offers a unique blend of clinical expertise and public health insight. With an MD, I aim to directly impact patient care by diagnosing illnesses and devising treatment plans. However, my ambitions extend beyond individual patient encounters; I aspire to tackle broader health disparities and systemic issues affecting communities. The MPH component will give me the tools to analyze population health trends, implement preventive strategies, and advocate for policies promoting equity and well-being. Whether it's combating infectious diseases, addressing social determinants of health, or promoting health education, the MPH lens will magnify the impact of my medical interventions. The scope of health informatics will provide me with a range of possibilities within many career and educational advancements. This ultimately gravitates me toward pursuing the interdisciplinary degree because of the wide range of knowledge I’ll gain in two exponentially growing fields.

The summer before my junior year of high school, I worked in the telehealth department of Children’s Health Hospital. This opportunity allowed me to witness the intersection of healthcare and technology and its impact on providing accessible care to patients. Once positioned in this role, I was tasked with networking with over 50 school nurses across the Dallas Forth-Worth (DFW) area to find effective ways to implement telehealth services in their institutions. Prioritizing communication between the nurses and relaying this information to my department was detrimental to implementing a sustainable telehealth network across all schools in our area. Little did I know this would be my first experience applying my unknown knowledge of informatics. When attempting to implement telehealth services, our department faced the issue of providing affordable care for patients from all economic backgrounds. Understanding the needs of these patients provided us with an adequate understanding of how to apply our technology services in an affordable way that every child in the (DFW) area had access to without restrictions. When it was time for me to conclude the internship, our team devised a plan to dissolve the lack of accessibility by implementing a tele-health service costing only $50 for patients to gain primary care services regardless of their financial situation. Due to the experiences gained in this technology and health-based internship, I could apply a digital solution by simply understanding the underlying causes of health disparities in DFW. Through this experience, I desired to advance these minor skills into a life-long career where I could continue implementing similar procedures. A degree in informatics will equip me to enhance the skills I gained in my internship and devise many more technological solutions to active issues facing the disadvantaged health community. The MD/MPH program offers a unique blend of clinical expertise and public health insight. With an MD, I aim to directly impact patient care by diagnosing illnesses and devising treatment plans. However, my ambitions extend beyond individual patient encounters; I aspire to tackle broader health disparities and systemic issues affecting communities. The MPH component will give me the tools to analyze population health trends, implement preventive strategies, and advocate for policies promoting equity and well-being. Whether it's combating infectious diseases, addressing social determinants of health, or promoting health education, the MPH lens will magnify the impact of my medical interventions. The scope of health informatics will provide me with a range of possibilities within many career and educational advancements. This ultimately gravitates me toward pursuing the interdisciplinary degree because of the wide range of knowledge I’ll gain in two exponentially growing fields. To be awarded the SigaLa Education Scholarship would allow me to continue in my second year of college without worrying about financial burdens. With the scholarship, I will have more time to focus on my classes, especially classes such as Organic Chemistry, instead of worrying about paying for other school expenses. With more time on my hands due to the lack of financial burdens, I will be able to explore more interests during the school year by participating in intramural sports and volunteering within the community. These outside interests would only be possible because of the Scholarship. With continued interest in becoming a physician, I also want to pursue many more interests. With the help of the SigaLa Scholarship, it will be an unbeatable task.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community significantly shifted my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community significantly shifted my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community significantly shifted my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community significantly shifted my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community significantly shifted my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States in an effort to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity my city members faced. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon, my neighbors, and my families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) schools to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States in an effort to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States in an effort to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States in an effort to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Pediatric Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.

At the young age of four, my mother made the difficult decision to have me emigrate to the United States with my father. I had no idea what this meant, but I knew my life would never be the same. Mother idealized what America meant. She saw opportunities available for me here that I did not have back in Gabon. As she hugged me goodbye, she held me tightly wiping the last bit of tears running down my hopeless face. I remember feeling confused and constantly questioning how an optimistic attitude could accompany such a life-altering decision. As I grew up, I resented my mother's decision and choice. I felt angry to be forced into a challenging situation–I was pissed! However, as time passed and I learned more about myself and my surroundings, I began to realize that my mother gave me a gift. She gave me the ultimate gift of unlimited possibility. When I entered the American education system, I was tasked with my first assignment, learning English. Being placed in ESL allowed me to learn my second language proficiently, but the pace was substantially different compared to in-class learning. Receiving aid from teachers became a near-impossible task because my peers would repeatedly look down upon me for requiring assistance in a language that was inherently “easy” for them. Nevertheless, I understood that if I ever wanted to excel academically, I had to differentiate myself from my classmates. Regular tutoring sessions and my continuous participation in ESL proved to be major benefactors to my scholastic achievements. Such an enduring experience was needed for my mental growth. Proving that no matter the adversities I was challenged with, the effort put in always proved superior. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Dallas, Texas exposed me to several challenges, including access to medical services. As I began to fulfill academic tasks, I was soon disturbed by the healthcare disparity that members of my city were facing. With predominantly minority residents in my city, medical services were a luxury that not many could afford. This situation only reminded me of my home country, Gabon. The closest proximity to a physician was sometimes hours away, and the majority of essential medical services were not always available, nor guaranteed. This has greatly hindered the fulfillment of my village residents back in Gabon and my neighbors, and families in Dallas. Addressing health inequity became a passion of mine as an immigrant African woman living in a predominantly minority community. I’ve been able to work in the telemedicine department at the Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas, TX. My department and I partnered with over 100 schools within the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area to implement affordable virtual healthcare visits. Families in Dallas no longer had to be burdened with extravagant healthcare costs or taking off time from work due to inconsistent medical scheduling. Incorporating my passion for medicine while giving back to my community, had a significant shift in my desire to address the medical challenges that minorities face. The gratitude my mom showed by allowing me to come to the United States to acquire better opportunities, inspired me to represent my communities in America and Gabon. Overcoming obstacles that once posed a significant challenge to me as a Gabonaise immigrant, empowered my desire to achieve my objectives. While I take further steps toward pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician, I parade my African heritage proudly appreciating my family back home in Gabon. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making the great sacrifice of letting me experience a better life.