My approach to democratizing mental health care centers on addressing systemic barriers faced by underprivileged communities. By developing a comprehensive digital platform, I aim to transform mental health support from a privileged service to a fundamental right, with a specific focus on marginalized populations. The platform will prioritize resources for communities historically underserved in mental healthcare. This includes creating culturally specific mental health modules in multiple languages, partnering with community organizations in low-income neighborhoods, and offering free training for local mental health advocates. Critically, the technology will be designed with input from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) mental health professionals to ensure culturally responsive care. A key innovation will be mobile-friendly resources optimized for low-bandwidth environments, ensuring accessibility in rural and economically challenged areas. By integrating sliding-scale pricing, community health worker partnerships, and AI-powered matching with culturally competent therapists, we can begin dismantling economic and social barriers that prevent meaningful mental health support. The ultimate goal is not just treatment, but community empowerment—creating a scalable solution that recognizes mental health as a fundamental human right, regardless of socioeconomic status.

My journey through education and personal growth has been fundamentally shaped by the intersections of identity, opportunity, and systemic challenge. As a Black woman navigating the complex landscape of higher education and healthcare, I have learned that resilience is not just a personal trait, but a necessary strategy for survival and success. Growing up in a middle-class family, I quickly understood that financial stability is fragile. Each semester of my undergraduate education at Duke University represents a delicate financial negotiation. The annual cost of attendance—now approaching $93,000—is not merely a number, but a mountain of potential and potential barriers. My parents' substantial financial contributions, combined with my minimal financial aid, underscore the economic challenges that many students of color face in pursuing higher education leading to the accumulation debt of student loans. The path to higher education has never been straightforward for my family. While my parents have always prioritized education, their support comes with significant personal sacrifice. Working during school breaks, taking on part-time jobs, and carefully managing every expense have become second nature to me. These experiences have transformed financial constraints into opportunities for personal growth and strategic planning. My commitment to healthcare is deeply personal and profoundly political. Healthcare in the United States is an institution historically constructed by and for privileged populations, systematically excluding and marginalizing communities of color, low-income individuals, and non-English speakers. This reality is not abstract for me—it is a lived experience that has shaped my academic and professional aspirations. Language has been a powerful tool in my journey of understanding and dismantling systemic barriers. My minor in Spanish is more than an academic credential—it is a bridge to cultural understanding and communication. By developing multilingual capabilities, I aim to reduce the linguistic barriers that often prevent marginalized communities from accessing quality healthcare. The ability to communicate directly, without intermediaries, can transform a patient's healthcare experience. I was able to further develop my commitment to cultural linguistic knowledge through my study abroad experience through the Duke-in-Costa Rica program where I participated in a completely immersive language program about health in Costa Rica and it's intersection with culture. Study abroad experiences have been crucial in expanding my understanding of healthcare beyond American borders and I hope to pursue more opportunities abroad to develop my worldview. Each international experience is an opportunity to deconstruct my own implicit biases and develop a more comprehensive approach to patient care. During my undergraduate journey, I have actively sought opportunities to challenge these systemic inequities. Volunteering with the Minority Association for Pre-health Students (MAPS) and participating in community health initiatives like NC MedAssist have been transformative experiences. Distributing free medicine and providing flu shots to low-income North Carolinians was more than a service—it was a powerful reminder of the critical gaps in our healthcare system and my potential role in bridging them. A pivotal moment came during our MedAssist volunteer day. When a patient sincerely thanked us for taking time out of our Saturday morning, I realized that this work transcends individual convenience. It's about collective care, about recognizing our interconnectedness. That simple expression of gratitude reaffirmed my commitment to a career centered on community service and healthcare equity. My academic path is deliberately intersectional. By pursuing a dual MD/PhD in medical sociology after completing my undergraduate education, I am strategically positioning myself to understand and dismantle healthcare disparities from multiple perspectives. Cultural competence is not just an academic credential, but an essential tool for providing equitable care and a skill I plan on developing through extensive education and research. The challenges I've encountered have only strengthened my resolve. Working during breaks, managing substantial student loans, and navigating a system not originally designed for people who look like me have been my most profound educators. These experiences have taught me that representation matters profoundly. By entering STEM fields, particularly medicine, I am not just pursuing a career—I am creating pathways for future generations of marginalized students. My long-term vision extends far beyond individual patient care. I aim to be a physician-researcher who can influence healthcare policy, challenge systemic racism, and create sustainable infrastructures that provide equitable access to medical resources. This means not just treating patients, but empowering communities, conducting research that centers marginalized experiences, and continuously working to dismantle the historical and contemporary barriers that prevent comprehensive healthcare. The financial support of scholarships is more than monetary assistance—it is an investment in a future where healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privileged service. Each opportunity I receive is not just personal achievement, but a step towards collective liberation and systemic transformation. As I continue my journey, I carry with me the experiences of my community, the resilience of my family, and an unwavering commitment to creating a healthcare system that sees, values, and serves everyone—regardless of race, class, language, or socioeconomic background. My goal is not just to succeed individually, but to fundamentally reshape the landscape of healthcare, making it more inclusive, compassionate, and just.

In my ideal world, healthcare is an equitable field that provides everyone with the resources they need to be healthy and ensure the longevity of their lives. While this is not the reality of our today or even tomorrow, I plan to contribute towards positive change that allows for the development of an equitable healthcare system for all. As a student at Duke University studying medical sociology with minors in chemistry and Spanish, I hope to aid marginalized groups and support healthcare policy reform through my pursuit of a dual MD/PhD degree. Growing up as a Black woman in America, I have experienced the hardships minorities encounter in healthcare firsthand. Minorities such as women, people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers are often dismissed and have very limited say in their healthcare. My goal as a physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard by not only empowering patients but also reforming the system that oppresses them. In my four years of undergraduate education, I will be afforded the opportunity to study abroad, participate in hands-on learning experiences and give back to often forgotten and overlooked members of our community through my passion for healthcare. Joining on campus groups such as the Minority Association for Pre-health Students (MAPS) has allowed me to start healthcare advocacy and begin taking steps towards a career of being an “up-stander.” Recently, we volunteered with NC MedAssist where we helped distribute free over-the-counter medicine and provide flu shots to low-income North Carolinians who would have otherwise had limited access to these resources needed to keep them and their children healthy. This experience showed me that as much as we are helping marginalized communities, they also help us by reaffirming why we’ve chosen to pursue careers in medicine. A simple, “Thank you for taking the time out of your morning to do this,” showed me that while I may have been reluctant to wake up at 7am on a Saturday morning, it wasn’t about me, but about the people we were supporting that morning. This is an attitude I plan on carrying with me throughout my career as we take steps towards equitable healthcare that allows for widespread access to resources for all that need them. Healthcare is an institution built by white men, for white men and because of this, access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States, which is why it is important for people of color to break barriers and enter STEM careers. More than anything, representation matters and by improving the visibility of marginalized populations in these inclusive fields, we are increasing the resources available to our communities. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past.

Despite the many advancements we’ve made in medicine, many people are constantly faced with discrimination. As a Black woman I have a personal passion for improving the current situation of my community, especially within the medical field. This is why I've chosen to pursue STEM through medicine and as a future healthcare provider, I hope to rid the healthcare industry of implicit biases that disproportionately impact marginalized groups. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often lead to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. Growing up in a diverse community, has taught me about the hardships minorities encounter in healthcare. My goal as a physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. Across the world and even within our nation’s borders, Spanish speaking people are denied proper healthcare simply due to language barriers. During my summer internship with my local hospital, a Hispanic patient came into the ER with very limited English knowledge. None of the nurses or physicians spoke Spanish, resulting in a longer than necessary wait time because all the staff members had to wait for an interpreter to arrive at the ER. This experience made me realize how despite the United States having no national language, it is expected that all people that live within its border speak English which negatively impacts large communities of people. Without implicit biases, people of all ethnicities and nationalities would be afforded the opportunity to receive quality healthcare anywhere in the United States. One of the major reasons implicit biases remain in place is the lack of diversity and representation across all fields of medicine. As of 2019, male doctors outnumber their female counterparts in a 64% to 36% ratio. In addition to the gender disparities seen in healthcare employment, racially the medical field is dominated by white physicians. In a 2021 report done by the Association of American Medical Colleges, 63.9% of doctors identified as White, 20.6% as Asian, 6.9% as Hispanic and 5.7% as Black. Based on this information, it can be seen that in the United States, healthcare is dominated by white male physicians which largely contributes to the impact implicit biases have on communities. As a future Black female physician, is it my goal to contribute to the elimination of implicit biases that hinder healthcare and serve as representation for underrepresented communities.

For as long as I can remember, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies. In elementary school, I always brought the most amount of books to our school’s annual book swap and bought as many books as I could at the book fair. Over the past 12 or so years of my life, I have read everything from young adult fiction to romance to thrillers (my new favorite genre). And despite the fact that I exclusively read fiction, they, just like non-fiction books, allow the reader to explore new perspectives and see the world from a different lens. Through the many books I have read, I have learned life lessons that have contributed to my passion for patient advocacy in healthcare. Though they might seem trivial, young adult books have taught me a lot about society and how to advocate for what you believe is right. Book series such as The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth depict dystopian worlds in which the main character is the catalyst for change in their respective communities. Katniss Everdeen fought against the Capital’s use of the Hunger Games, a competition in which teenagers from across their nation are pitted against each other in a fight to the death, for entertainment. Beatrice Prior advocated for those known as Divergent in a society where everyone is only allowed to express one personality trait. These books influenced me to stand up for my beliefs even when I am in the minority. The efforts of one person may seem futile, but I have learned that even if you think you are the only one, there are more people just waiting to be inspired by your message and support your cause. These lessons have translated into my life goal of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and advocating for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. These groups are often underserved and overlooked in healthcare due to implicit biases that are based on racist, sexist and classist ideals. My goal as a future Black female physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. Recently, I have become fond of reading psychological thriller and suspense novels. I love being able to use the bits of information given to me throughout the story to try to determine the truth. Whether it’s solving a murder mystery or choosing between the narrations of two characters, these books have taught me to think past initial assumptions to discover the truth. This can be compared to the steps doctors follow to diagnose patients in which they must get the full story including past diagnoses, current medications and allergies, in order to give an accurate diagnosis. Through my passion for reading, I am able to improve my deductive reasoning skills which will benefit me as a future physician. Too often are patient symptoms dismissed due to unconscious biases in healthcare preventing patients from receiving care. As a physician I intend to not only hear everything my patients have to say, but also review all the facts and background information before I make a diagnosis. My long-term ambition is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. In order to attain my educational and career goals, I will be attending Duke University in the fall where I intend to co-major in Spanish and Global Health, putting me one step closer to giving back to underserved communities through my passion for healthcare.

To whom it may concern, my name is Ivy Boyd and I am going into my second year at Duke University where I intend to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish. I consider myself to be a well-rounded, passionate and intelligent student determined to reach her goals. My ultimate goals in life are to graduate college, attend medical school and become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I am fluent in both English and Spanish, and while in college, I plan to travel abroad to obtain skills that will allow me to provide services and healthcare to communities in need. Additionally, I plan to become an advocate for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical discriminatory beliefs which often lead to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. I began my contribution to underrepresented communities in high school through leading the Jack and Jill Columbia Chapter’s Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and pack each bag with various personal hygiene products, these duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. This service project was important to me and the other Teens in my chapter because we believed that carrying around all their belongings in a trash bag negatively impacted the self-worth of children in foster care. All children deserve to know their worth and by showing them that they matter to us, our goal was to help them show that the community cared about them. Through a career in healthcare advocacy, I hope to provide underrepresented and unheard patients with the same sense of worth. I believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to me because in order to achieve my goals, a college degree is a necessity. I am a dedicated student who is passionate about her goals and will prioritize my education. As a future Black female physician, I want to contribute to the elimination of implicit biases that hinder healthcare and serve as representation for underrepresented communities. Thank you for your time and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

To whom it may concern, my name is Ivy Boyd and I am going into my second year at Duke University where I intend to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish. I consider myself to be a well-rounded, passionate and intelligent student determined to reach her goals. In addition to being in the top 1% of my graduating high school class, I was also a Varsity athlete and member of a multitude of service organizations. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to attain my goals of giving back to my community through my passion for healthcare and fulfill my aspirations of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and healthcare advocate. My ultimate goals in life are to graduate college, attend medical school and become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I am bilingual, speaking both fluent English and Spanish, and while in college, I plan to travel abroad to obtain skills that will allow me to provide services and healthcare to communities in need. Additionally, I plan to become an advocate for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often leads to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. As a physician I intend to open a clinic to provide for patients without the ability to pay for healthcare as well as advocate against implicit biases in healthcare. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. I began my contribution to underrepresented communities in high school through leading the Jack and Jill Columbia Chapter’s Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and pack each bag with various personal hygiene products, these duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. This service project was important to me and the other Teens in my chapter because we believed that carrying around all their belongings in a trash bag negatively impacted the self-worth of children in foster care. All children deserve to know their worth and by showing them that they matter to us, our goal was to help them show that the community cared about them. Through a career in healthcare advocacy, I hope to provide underrepresented and unheard patients with the same sense of worth. I believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to me because in order to achieve my goals, a college degree is a necessity. I am a dedicated student who is passionate about her goals and will prioritize my education. As a future Black female physician, I want to contribute to the elimination of implicit biases that hinder healthcare and serve as representation for underrepresented communities. Thank you for your time and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

In my ideal world, healthcare is an equitable field that provides everyone with the resources they need to be healthy and ensure the longevity of their lives. Unfortunately, my ideal world is not the world we live in and healthcare is an industry in which all people are not granted the same rights. Growing up as a Black woman in America, I have experienced the hardships minorities encounter in healthcare firsthand and I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to eradicating the injustices so many people have to face in medicine. By pursuing an education in STEM, I hope to not only give back to those who are in the most need, but also serve as representation for the next generations of healthcare providers. As children, it is so important that we are able to see ourselves reflected in the adults that we interact with and I personally felt the impact of representation when I switched to a Black female pediatrician. Without knowing it, she is one of my biggest motivators and proof that I too can become a doctor and pursue my passion of helping others. As a pre-med student at Duke University planning to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish, I hope to aid marginalized groups through medicine and contribute to healthcare policy reform. Minorities such as women, people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers are often dismissed and have very limited say in their healthcare. My goal as a physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. In my four years of undergraduate education, I will be afforded the opportunity to study abroad, participate in hands-on learning experiences and give back to often forgotten and overlooked members of our community through my passion for healthcare. Healthcare is an institution built by white men, for white men and because of this, access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often leads to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past.

To whom it may concern, my name is Ivy Boyd and I am going into my second year at Duke University where I intend to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish. I consider myself to be a well-rounded, passionate and intelligent student determined to reach her goals. In addition to being in the top 1% of my graduating high school class, I was also a Varsity athlete and member of a multitude of service organizations. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to attain my goals of giving back to my community through my passion for healthcare and fulfill my aspirations of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and healthcare advocate. My ultimate goals in life are to graduate college, attend medical school and become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I am bilingual, speaking both fluent English and Spanish, and while in college, I plan to travel abroad to obtain skills that will allow me to provide services and healthcare to communities in need. Additionally, I plan to become an advocate for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often leads to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. As a physician I intend to open a clinic to provide for patients without the ability to pay for healthcare as well as advocate against implicit biases in healthcare. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. I began my contribution to underrepresented communities in high school through leading the Jack and Jill Columbia Chapter’s Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and pack each bag with various personal hygiene products, these duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. This service project was important to me and the other Teens in my chapter because we believed that carrying around all their belongings in a trash bag negatively impacted the self-worth of children in foster care. All children deserve to know their worth and by showing them that they matter to us, our goal was to help them show that the community cared about them. Through a career in healthcare advocacy, I hope to provide underrepresented and unheard patients with the same sense of worth. I believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to me because in order to achieve my goals, a college degree is a necessity. I am a dedicated student who is passionate about her goals and will prioritize my education. As a future Black female physician, I want to contribute to the elimination of implicit biases that hinder healthcare and serve as representation for underrepresented communities. Thank you for your time and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

To whom it may concern, my name is Ivy Boyd and I am going into my second year at Duke University where I intend to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish. I consider myself to be a well-rounded, passionate and intelligent student determined to reach her goals. In addition to being in the top 1% of my graduating high school class, I was also a Varsity athlete and member of a multitude of service organizations. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to attain my goals of giving back to my community through my passion for healthcare and fulfill my aspirations of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and healthcare advocate. My ultimate goals in life are to graduate college, attend medical school and become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I am bilingual, speaking both fluent English and Spanish, and while in college, I plan to travel abroad to obtain skills that will allow me to provide services and healthcare to communities in need. Additionally, I plan to become an advocate for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often leads to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. As a physician I intend to open a clinic to provide for patients without the ability to pay for healthcare as well as advocate against implicit biases in healthcare. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. I began my contribution to underrepresented communities in high school through leading the Jack and Jill Columbia Chapter’s Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and pack each bag with various personal hygiene products, these duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. This service project was important to me and the other Teens in my chapter because we believed that carrying around all their belongings in a trash bag negatively impacted the self-worth of children in foster care. All children deserve to know their worth and by showing them that they matter to us, our goal was to help them show that the community cared about them. Through a career in healthcare advocacy, I hope to provide underrepresented and unheard patients with the same sense of worth. I believe that this scholarship will be beneficial to me because in order to achieve my goals, a college degree is a necessity. I am a dedicated student who is passionate about her goals and will prioritize my education. As a future Black female physician, I want to contribute to the elimination of implicit biases that hinder healthcare and serve as representation for underrepresented communities. Thank you for your time and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

In my ideal world, healthcare is an equitable field that provides everyone with the resources they need to be healthy and ensure the longevity of their lives. As a pre-med student at Duke University planning to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish, I hope to aid marginalized groups through medicine and contribute to healthcare policy reform. Growing up as a Black woman in America, I have experienced the hardships minorities encounter in healthcare firsthand. Minorities such as women, people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers are often dismissed and have very limited say in their healthcare. My goal as a physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. In my four years of undergraduate education, I will be afforded the opportunity to study abroad, participate in hands-on learning experiences and give back to often forgotten and overlooked members of our community through my passion for healthcare. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases, which are stereotypical discriminatory beliefs which often lead to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. Healthcare is an institution not built for people like me, but as a healthcare provider, I hope to open doors for more diversity and representation of people of color in professional healthcare roles. Education is the foundation of our society, especially when serving in roles in the healthcare industry but one of my biggest obstacles has been finding ways to afford my college tuition. I am going into my second year at Duke University this fall and with the minimal financial aid I've been awarded, the $92,000 yearly cost of attendance is simply unattainable. Though I've been working since my junior year of high school, and continued to work when I began college, scholarships and loans have been the main sources of my educational funding. With both myself and my younger brother attending private institutions with little to no financial aid, my parents make sacrifices to support our educations. While life would be much easier without the looming burden of college tuition, I am grateful for the lessons that I have learned from these experiences. My parents made it clear to me early on that I need to work for the things that I want and that financial independence should always be my number one goal and because of this, I feel that my financial literacy is one of my strongest traits. However, I can still recognize that oftentimes financial hardships are not result of poor financial decisions, but rather unrealistic expectations, healthcare being a prime example. I want to dedicate my life as a healthcare professional to helping people, regardless of my own financial gain because my passion is not for money, but for giving back to those without.

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national community organization that was created to positively impact the lives of African-American individuals, families and communities. Jack and Jill is devoted to promoting leadership development, awareness of cultural heritage and community service. Through the leadership roles awarded at the chapter and regional level, Teens are able to grow and expand their knowledge of diversity, leadership, and teamwork. With the help of the many leadership positions I’ve held as a Teen in Jack and Jill, I’ve been able to broaden my understanding of these values. As a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. I have been afforded a variety of leadership opportunities that have allowed me to grow as an individual.. As the 2021-2022 Teen President it was my responsibility to introduce community service ideas to my fellow Chapter Teens. After much deliberation with my peers and Teen Advisors, we came up with the Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Teen’s Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and packed each bag with various personal hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, soap and more. These duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. This service project was important to me and the other Teens in my chapter because we believed that carrying around all their belongings in a trash bag negatively impacted the self-worth of children in foster care. All children deserve to know their worth and by showing them that they matter to us, our goal was to help them show that the community cared about them. By participating in this service project, I was able to use the fortune in my life to help those that are less fortunate which contributed to my life passion of being a healthcare advocate. My ultimate goal in life is to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, an aspiration that began in middle school and has slowly morphed into what it is now. In addition to being a surgeon I also hope to be an advocate for the marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. Through participating in this project, I uplifted my community and I want to continue to do so through healthcare. As a physician I intend to advocate for patients and communities who are traditionally overlooked in the same way that the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill advocated for the children in our local foster care system.

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national community organization that was created to positively impact the lives of African-American individuals, families and communities. Jack and Jill is devoted to promoting leadership development, awareness of cultural heritage and community service. As a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. I was afforded a variety of leadership opportunities that allowed me to grow as an individual and give back to my community. My most memorable role was as the Chapter Teen President for the 2021-2022 school year. As the Teen President it was my responsibility to introduce community service ideas to my fellow Chapter Teens. After much deliberation with my peers, Teen Advisors, and my mom, we came up with the Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Teen’s Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and packed each bag with various personal hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, soap and more. These duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. By participating in this service project, I was able to give back to often forgotten and overlooked members of our community, which contributed to my life passion of being a healthcare advocate. After attending college and medical school, my ultimate goal in life is to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and advocate for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. In order to attain my educational and career goals, I currently attend Duke University where I will be afforded the opportunity to study abroad, participate in hands-on learning experiences and give back to underserved communities through my passion for healthcare. As a Black female physician I intend to advocate for patients and communities who are traditionally overlooked in the same way that the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill advocated for the children in our local foster care system. As a healthcare advocate I plan to support marginalized groups including people of color and non-English speakers. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs that often lead to the dismissal of patient symptoms. While healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. As a physician I intend to continue my passion of community service and open a clinic to provide for patients without the ability to pay for healthcare in addition to advocating against implicit biases in healthcare. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past.

In my ideal world, healthcare is an equitable field that provides everyone with the resources they need to be healthy and ensure the longevity of their lives. As a pre-med student at Duke University planning to study medical sociology with a minor in Spanish, I hope to aid marginalized groups through medicine and contribute to healthcare policy reform. Growing up as a Black woman in America, I have experienced the hardships minorities encounter in healthcare firsthand. Minorities such as women, people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers are often dismissed and have very limited say in their healthcare. In addition to being underserved, in the United States and around the world, minorities are extremely underrepresented in the STEM field. Careers in the STEM field are white male dominated and growing up not being able to see myself in those positions was disheartening and discouraging. I hope that by pursuing a career in the STEM field, I'm not only achieving my dreams but also serving as representation to the many communities that I'm a part of including the Black community and the multi-cultural community of women worldwide. My goal as a physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. In my four years of undergraduate education, I will be afforded the opportunity to study abroad, participate in hands-on learning experiences and give back to often forgotten and overlooked members of our community through my passion for healthcare. Healthcare is an institution built by white men, for white men and because of this, access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often leads to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. One of the major reasons implicit biases remain in place is the lack of diversity and representation across all fields of medicine. As of 2019, male doctors outnumbered their female counterparts in a 64% to 36% ratio. In addition to the gender disparities seen in healthcare employment, racially the medical field is dominated by white physicians. In a 2021 report done by the Association of American Medical Colleges, 63.9% of doctors identified as White, 20.6% as Asian, 6.9% as Hispanic and 5.7% as Black. Based on this information, it can be seen that in the United States, healthcare is dominated by white male physicians which largely contributes to the impact implicit biases have on communities. As a future Black female physician, is it my goal to contribute to the elimination of implicit biases that hinder healthcare and serve as representation for underrepresented communities.

For as long as I can remember, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies. In elementary school, I always brought the most amount of books to our school’s annual book swap and bought as many books as I could at the book fair. Over the past 12 or so years of my life, I have read everything from young adult fiction to romance to thrillers (my new favorite genre). And despite the fact that I exclusively read fiction, they, just like non-fiction books, allow the reader to explore new perspectives and see the world from a different lens. Through the many books I have read, I have learned life lessons that have contributed to my passion for patient advocacy in healthcare. Though they might seem trivial, young adult books have taught me a lot about society and how to advocate for what you believe is right. Book series such as The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth depict dystopian worlds in which the main character is the catalyst for change in their respective communities. Katniss Everdeen fought against the Capital’s use of the Hunger Games, a competition in which teenagers from across their nation are pitted against each other in a fight to the death, for entertainment. Beatrice Prior advocated for those known as Divergent in a society where everyone is only allowed to express one personality trait. These books influenced me to stand up for my beliefs even when I am in the minority. The efforts of one person may seem futile, but I have learned that even if you think you are the only one, there are more people just waiting to be inspired by your message and support your cause. These lessons have translated into my life goal of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and advocating for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. These groups are often underserved and overlooked in healthcare due to implicit biases that are based on racist, sexist and classist ideals. My goal as a future Black female physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. Recently, I have become fond of reading psychological thrillers and suspense novels. I love being able to use the bits of information given to me throughout the story to try to determine the truth. Whether it’s solving a murder mystery or choosing between the narrations of two characters, these books have taught me to think past initial assumptions to discover the truth. This can be compared to the steps doctors follow to diagnose patients in which they must get the full story including past diagnoses, current medications and allergies, in order to give an accurate diagnosis. Through my passion for reading, I am able to improve my deductive reasoning skills which will benefit me as a future physician. Too often are patient symptoms dismissed due to unconscious biases in healthcare preventing patients from receiving care. As a physician, I intend to not only hear everything my patients have to say but also review all the facts and background information before I make a diagnosis. My long-term ambition is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. In order to attain my educational and career goals, I will be attending Duke University in the fall where I intend to co-major in Spanish and Global Health, putting me one step closer to giving back to underserved communities through my passion for healthcare.

In the United States, structural biases prevent many people from flourishing, especially in healthcare. Minority groups such as people of color, are severely underrepresented in the medical field which contributes to the negative experiences of many black and brown patients. In order to combat these injustices, over the next five years I plan to continue the community service I began with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in order to promote social wellness. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national community organization that was created to positively impact the lives of African-American individuals, families and communities. Jack and Jill is devoted to promoting leadership development, awareness of cultural heritage and community service. As the Teen President for the 2021-2022 academic year, it was my responsibility to introduce community service ideas to my fellow Chapter Teens and after much collaborative deliberation, we came up with the Duffel Bag Project. The purpose of the Columbia Chapter Teen’s Duffel Bag Project was to provide children in foster care with a bag to carry their belongings in as many foster children are only given a trash bag to hold their belongings. After raising over $15,000 through fundraising, the Chapter Teens were able to buy 100 duffel bags and packed each bag with various personal hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, soap and more. These duffel bags were then donated to our state’s Department of Social Services. By participating in this service project, I was able to give back to often forgotten and overlooked members of our community, which contributed to my life passion for being a healthcare advocate. After attending college and medical school, my ultimate goal in life is to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and advocate for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. In order to attain my educational and career goals, I will be attending Duke University in the fall where I intend to co-major in Spanish and Global Health. In my four years of undergraduate education, I will be afforded the opportunity to study abroad, participate in hands-on learning experiences and give back to underserved communities through my passion for healthcare and social wellness. As a Black female physician, I intend to advocate for patients and communities who are traditionally overlooked in the same way that the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill advocated for the children in our local foster care system. As a healthcare advocate, I plan to support marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. Access to quality healthcare is extremely exclusive in the United States due to high prices and implicit biases. Implicit biases are stereotypical beliefs based on racism, sexism and classism which often lead to the dismissal of patient symptoms. And while healthcare workers may not be intentionally discriminatory, they have implicit biases, as all people do, that can impair their ability to provide all patients with equitable care. As a physician, I intend to continue my passion for promoting wellness through providing healthcare in local and global communities. My long-term goal is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past.

For as long as I can remember, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies. In elementary school, I always brought the most amount of books to our school’s annual book swap and bought as many books as I could at the book fair. Over the past 12 or so years of my life, I have read everything from young adult fiction to romance to thrillers (my new favorite genre). And despite the fact that I exclusively read fiction, they, just like non-fiction books, allow the reader to explore new perspectives and see the world from a different lens. Through the many books I have read, I have learned life lessons that have contributed to my passion for patient advocacy in healthcare. Though they might seem trivial, young adult books have taught me a lot about society and how to advocate for what you believe is right. Book series such as The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth depict dystopian worlds in which the main character is the catalyst for change in their respective communities. Katniss Everdeen fought against the Capital’s use of the Hunger Games, a competition in which teenagers from across their nation are pitted against each other in a fight to the death, for entertainment. Beatrice Prior advocated for those known as Divergent in a society where everyone is only allowed to express one personality trait. These books influenced me to stand up for my beliefs even when I am in the minority. The efforts of one person may seem futile, but I have learned that even if you think you are the only one, there are more people just waiting to be inspired by your message and support your cause. These lessons have translated into my life goal of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and advocating for marginalized groups such as people of color, those of low socioeconomic status and non-English speakers. These groups are often underserved and overlooked in healthcare due to implicit biases that are based on racist, sexist and classist ideals. My goal as a future Black female physician is to give a voice to those who are traditionally unheard. Recently, I have become fond of reading psychological thriller and suspense novels. I love being able to use the bits of information given to me throughout the story to try to determine the truth. Whether it’s solving a murder mystery or choosing between the narrations of two characters, these books have taught me to think past initial assumptions to discover the truth. This can be compared to the steps doctors follow to diagnose patients in which they must get the full story including past diagnoses, current medications and allergies, in order to give an accurate diagnosis. Through my passion for reading, I am able to improve my deductive reasoning skills which will benefit me as a future physician. Too often are patient symptoms dismissed due to unconscious biases in healthcare preventing patients from receiving care. As a physician, I intend to not only hear everything my patients have to say but also review all the facts and background information before I make a diagnosis. My long-term ambition is for every person to have the opportunity to receive equitable healthcare despite any defining factors that may have restricted them in the past. In order to attain my educational and career goals, I will be attending Duke University in the fall where I intend to co-major in Spanish and Global Health, putting me one step closer to giving back to underserved communities through my passion for healthcare.

The first thing you see when you look at me is the color of my skin. Rich like the perfect blend of coffee and creamer, solid as a bar of milk chocolate and warm as a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day, I am beautifully Black. Some may call me “African-American,” but I prefer the straightforward nature of the word “Black.” Tracing through my lineage, I could not tell you the last person in my family who was born in Africa. To me, the term “African-American” implies that a person was born in Africa and immigrated to the United States. This does not apply to me, my parents, my grandparents or even my great-grandparents. I am simply Black, or specifically, a Black American. Identifying as “Black” in America brings an abundance of stereotypes, assumptions, and oppression along with it. I have experienced my fair share of racial comments based on false narratives, including but not limited to, “I didn’t know you were so smart,” “You don’t act Black,” and “You’re not really Black.” There are so many racial stereotypes about Black people in America which stem from the racist roots that essentially serve as the foundation of American society. Comments such as these imply that all Black people are supposed to fit a mold and if we don’t, we aren’t considered “Black enough.” Despite my physical appearance or my genetic lineage, if I don’t fit societal expectations, I cannot simply be Black. I am tired of the comment, “You don’t really act Black.” From the time that I began to understand the concept of race, I have been inundated with this phrase. At first, it didn’t bother me because I knew I was Black; but as I have aged and grappled with the negative aspects of racial stereotypes, the comment has made me unsure of my self-identity. This created an internal struggle because I know that I am Black, but I begin to question whether I was Black enough. Keep in mind, in America, there is always constant news coverage of police brutality, discrimination, hate crimes, an unjust prison system and racism in the workplace, all incidents against Black Americans. I knew that if I was approached by a police officer they would not see a straight-A student ranked third in her class, they would not see an innocent teenager with such high expectations for herself that she is constantly stressed, no, they would see a Black girl. And in the minds of many police officers in America, Black has a negative connotation thereby making me a negative, simply because I am Black. Thus creating the irony of my life; struggling to be Black enough but not too Black. My parents have worked hard to instill pride and self-worth in my brother and I. That includes frequently reminding us of the beauty of being Black. As a result, I am a proud Black American and wouldn’t change anything about myself if given the chance. While annoying and bothersome, when people make comments having to deal with race, it not only characterizes them but also characterizes me based on my reactions and I’ve learned to brush it off and hold my head high with confidence. Ultimately, I am Black and despite the stereotypes, I’m expected to uphold by society, I can be my own version of what a Black person is “supposed” to be. Strong as a cup of black coffee, sweet as a bar of milk chocolate and inviting as a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day, I am beautifully Black.