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Hayden Paige

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Biochemistry
  • Ice Skating
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Foreign Languages
  • Global Health
  • Volunteering
  • Tutoring

Reading

  • Biography
  • Literature
  • Realistic Fiction

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hi! I am Hayden Paige, and I am an incoming medical student at the University of California San Francisco. In the future, I want to go into pediatric oncology. I’m drawn to medicine not just for the science, but for the opportunity to care for kids and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. I hope to play a role in closing the gap between research and the bedside — making sure that advances in medicine lead to meaningful, equitable change in people’s lives. Previously, I performed neurooncology research at UCLA in the Tumor Immunology Program at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. There, I assisted with cell-based therapies that block immune-regulatory antigen-presenting cell function. Additionally, at Vanderbilt University, I researched in the department of biomedical engineering to develop a hydrogel formulation to promote angiogenesis, in support of the formation of synaptically connected neural networks to with the potential to prevent brain disease.

Education

University of California-San Francisco

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

2025 – 2029

Majors:
  • Medicine

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor's degree program

2020 – 2024

Majors:
  • English Language and Literature, General
  • Chemistry
  • Public Health

Miscellaneous

Medical school interest:
Yes

Career

  • I worked at a chain ice cream shop. My responsibilities included overseeing daily operations, managing staff, maintaining inventory, and ensuring positive customer experiences. I also made and decorated over 50 ice cream cakes week.

    Food & Beverages · Carvel Ice Cream

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2024

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Work experience:
2 years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Noah Jon Markstrom Foundation Scholarship
Lilia’s eyes welled with tears as she struggled to weave a friendship bracelet out of string. Her hands, unsteady from rounds of chemotherapy, made the task feel impossible. I sat beside her, determined to find a way to help Lilia make this work. After asking her permission, I tied the threads to her toe, and held the purple strand steady while she carefully twisted the others. Slowly, a braid began to form and I saw her face light up. Though it was just a simple braid, to her, it was a victory — a moment of normalcy and pride amid a long and difficult journey, a small way of reclaiming something cancer had tried to take from her. That moment stayed with me. It was in that moment that I realized I wanted to pursue pediatric oncology: a field that demands creativity, compassion, and presence. In pediatrics, you’re not just treating symptoms — you a’re shaping a child’s path forward. Early intervention, empathy, and education can ripple across their entire life. That kind of impact is both a responsibility and a privilege I feel deeply called to. My interest in oncology began during a research internship in neuro-oncology at UCLA, where I was drawn to the scientific challenges and innovative approaches being used to treat complex cancers. I found myself fascinated by the biology and potential for impact in the field. However, it was not until my experience at that camp for kids with medical conditions — connecting with children like Lilia — that I realized pediatrics was where I truly belonged. Children have an incredible ability to hold onto hope, to bounce back, and to find joy even during the hardest moments. In college, I chose to major in public health with a minor in child development. This path taught me how illness impacts children physically, cognitively, and emotionally, and how developmentally sensitive care can make all the difference. As I continue on my journey towards becoming a physician in medical school, I carry with me the profound lessons learned from Lilia's bracelet. I understand that being a physician means actively engaging with the challenges faced by patients, not just acknowledging them. I am committed to providing compassionate, person-centered care, where my actions speak louder than words, where I go the extra mile to ensure that each patient's unique journey to wellness is respected and supported. With each young patient I meet, I will strive to be a source of hope, a problem solver, and a compassionate advocate. Through humility, empathy, and unwavering dedication, I aspire to become a physician who not only recognizes the beauty of individuality but also acts upon it, making a tangible difference in the lives of patients like Lilia.
Hayden Paige Student Profile | Bold.org