Service has always been at the center of who I am and the kind of person I hope to become. Growing up in Yuma, Arizona, I was surrounded by people who worked hard for their families and communities, even when resources were limited. Watching my parents and grandparents persevere through challenges taught me the importance of showing up for others with compassion, humility, and kindness. Those values shaped the way I approach service today. Over the past several years, I have dedicated much of my time to serving others through healthcare. I have volunteered more than 200 hours at Onvida Health, primarily in the emergency department, where I round in patient rooms, assist nurses, deliver supplies, and spend time talking with patients and families. Some of the moments that have stayed with me most are not dramatic or extraordinary. They are simple conversations with patients who felt scared, lonely, or overwhelmed. Those experiences taught me that service is not always about grand gestures. Often, it is about being present for others when they need support the most. In addition to volunteering in the hospital, I served as Treasurer of the Onvida Health Kindness Project Committee for two years. In this role, I helped organize activities and events focused on bringing comfort and encouragement to patients, families, and healthcare workers. Whether we were creating flower arrangements, writing gratitude cards, or organizing small acts of kindness throughout the hospital, I learned how meaningful compassion can be in healthcare settings. My dedication to service was also recognized through receiving the Service Excellence Award, an honor that reminded me how important it is to lead with empathy and kindness in every interaction. My desire to serve others through medicine also comes from personal experience. Cancer has affected members of my family, including my grandfather, and watching someone I love go through treatment changed the way I viewed healthcare. I saw the emotional weight that illness places on both patients and families. I also saw the difference compassionate healthcare workers could make during painful and uncertain times. That experience inspired me to pursue a career where I can help people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. I am currently studying Physiology and Medical Sciences with a minor in Spanish at the University of Arizona as part of the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education Program (APME). Through my education, I hope to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an oncologist serving rural and border communities in Arizona. Growing up in a border community showed me how language barriers, limited access to healthcare, and financial challenges can prevent families from receiving the care they need. Because of this, I want to use my education to help make healthcare more accessible and compassionate for underserved communities. For me, a life of service means using my abilities and experiences to create meaningful change in the lives of others. Whether through medicine, mentorship, or community outreach, I hope to dedicate my life to helping people feel cared for and valued. My education is preparing me for a career in healthcare, but more importantly, it is preparing me to serve others with empathy and purpose.

From the moment my grandfather asked me, “¿Voy a estar bien?” while we awaited his cancer prognosis, I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to medicine. I was there as his translator, but in that moment, I felt helpless. I watched him struggle—not just against his illness, but against a lack of specialists, language barriers, and financial obstacles that stood in the way of care. That moment resonated with me, and it’s what drives me now to pursue a career in STEM where I can become part of the solution. My passion for STEM comes from a desire to understand how things work beneath the surface, especially within the human body. I’ve always been fascinated by how biology, chemistry, and technology come together to fight disease and improve lives. As I grew older, this curiosity evolved into a purpose. Whether shadowing nurses in the emergency department, researching ways to improve student well-being through mental health initiatives, or helping young children in our hospital’s kindness program, I’ve seen firsthand how science can be applied with empathy to change outcomes. STEM, to me, is not just about problem-solving—it’s about using knowledge to heal, advocate, and transform the systems that fail too many. It’s about taking the pain my family once felt and turning it into progress for others. This commitment to medicine led to my acceptance into the University of Arizona’s prestigious Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program. Out of a national pool of applicants, only ten students are selected each year. The APME program offers a unique seven-year track that allows high school students direct and reserved admission into the University of Arizona Medical School. As an APME student, I will major in Physiology and Medical Sciences through the W.A. Franke Honors College while receiving personalized mentorship, early clinical experiences, and access to initiatives that address Arizona’s healthcare disparities. The program is designed for students like me, who are committed to practicing medicine in service to their communities. Growing up in a rural, medically underserved border community has shaped my perspective and purpose. Beyond the classroom, I plan to join student organizations focused on medicine, science, music, and my Hispanic culture—each of which plays a meaningful role in my identity. I also hope to engage in research and community outreach programs that focus on closing the healthcare gaps that affect families like mine. My goal is not just to study science, but to apply it in ways that directly uplift the people and places that have shaped me. Ultimately, I plan to become a pediatric oncologist. I’ve seen the impact of cancer up close and know how devastating it can be for families. My volunteer work in the emergency department and my involvement as Treasurer of Onvida Health’s Kindness Project have shown me the kind of physician I want to be: one who listens, empowers, and brings light to even the darkest moments. My long-term goal is to return to my hometown and open a practice that provides comprehensive, compassionate care to the community that raised me. I also hope to contribute to cancer research, advancing treatment and prevention strategies so fewer families have to endure what mine did. For me, STEM isn’t just about science—it’s about service. My drive to pursue medicine is fueled by a desire to honor my family’s sacrifices and to make a lasting impact in the lives of others. Through the innovative field of STEM, I hope to be the kind of doctor who not only heals but also inspires change.