Most of American society encourages people to minimize their identities because it revolves around and caters to White, cisgender, heterosexual people [typically male]. There are ample identities that experience prejudice and discrimination in many different forms which further silences and oppresses marginalized identities. The vicious cycle prevents these people from taking pride in their identities because it involves being in a vulnerable state. My unique perspective and my passions will make me a wonderful asset to the healthcare field. It was not easy to get where I am at, but “proud” is an understatement when I say that I am proud to be a Black, lesbian. Any one of my identities brings about its own adversity, so tripling the adversity I face was not a choice. However, this adversity has made me a person I am incredibly proud of and confident in. My experiences not only help me to help those around me, like my family, peers, friends, and partner, but they will also help me to understand and treat my patients who have similar identities.
In addition to these identities setting me apart from others, I have a unique goal for my healthcare career. Upon completion of my PA program, I hope to obtain my Master’s in Public Health so I can continue to make an impact on policies that affect these communities. Through this, I plan to lead professional development training, so other providers can become aware of their biases and how to put an end to discrimination and prejudice in healthcare. Additionally, I hope to get my Functional Medicine certificate, which will work in conjunction with my Public Health degree to change my practice to a more proactive model for my patients. When I think about the type of specialty I want my career to be focused on, I think of how difficult it can be to find a physician that genuinely cares and understands you. I would love to specialize in caring for LGBTQIA+ patients, especially patients of color, but my goal is to be a primary care physician for these groups and to advocate for them in the healthcare setting. My goal as a PA is to focus on the communities that are underrepresented within healthcare such as Black people, other people of color, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. These patients have been underrepresented and mistreated in healthcare for far too long. I want to help a young transgender child start on hormone blockers or help a Black transgender woman find a care team to assist in the gender-affirming process. I want my patients to know that I am more than their physician, that I can relate, and that I will fight for them. I have already begun doing this in my personal life through advocacy, protesting, and speaking out, but I am ready to bring this into my lifelong career. I hope that by doing so, I can create a safe space for my patients to feel heard, seen, and cared for.