Growing up in a Jamaican-Guyanese household, I was taught that success is not measured by what you gain for yourself, but by how much you give to others. That belief has guided every step of my journey, from being a home-schooled student earning my Associate’s Degree through dual enrollment, to becoming a biomedical science major with a minor in nutrition at the University of South Florida. Now 21 years old and pursuing my dream of becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), I find myself standing on the foundation of service, resilience, and education, values deeply reflected in the life of Mark Anthony Green. Currently, I work as an Oncology Technician at Moffitt Cancer Center, where I provide care and support to patients undergoing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. My work has taught me compassion, attentiveness, and the power of human connection in healing. In addition to this clinical role, I serve as a research assistant in the USF LASER Lab, contributing to research on stroke recovery and neurological rehabilitation. I also hold a leadership position as Vice President of the Pre-Medical American Medical Student Association (PAMSA) at USF, where I mentor fellow students and help organize opportunities for professional growth and community service. These experiences have shaped my ambition, not just to become a doctor, but to become one who uplifts underserved communities. I envision opening a community health clinic that integrates internal medicine, nutrition counseling, and mental health support. I want to serve populations who have long been neglected by the healthcare system, especially those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and chronic illness. I believe in the power of preventive, holistic care and in the ability of education to bring generational change. Like Mr. Green, I believe in using education to rise beyond your circumstances and lift others as you go. As a Black woman in STEM, I know what it feels like to be underrepresented, but I also know the strength that comes from using that experience to inspire and mentor others. I maintain a 3.7 GPA while balancing clinical work, research, and leadership, not because it’s easy, but because I am determined to create change. Receiving the Mark Green Memorial Scholarship would not only ease financial burdens, but also affirm my commitment to carrying forward a legacy rooted in resilience, service, and impact. With your support, I will continue striving toward a future in which healthcare is not a privilege, but a right, for every person, in every community.

The first time I helped a cancer patient stand after a chemotherapy session, her hand gripping mine with a mixture of fatigue and gratitude, I realized that healing is not always about cures, it’s also about compassion, presence, and human connection. That moment, like many others I’ve experienced as an Oncology Technician at Moffitt Cancer Center, affirmed my desire to become a physician who not only treats symptoms but sees the whole person. My name is Jayna, and I am a 21-year-old biomedical science major with a minor in nutrition at the University of South Florida. I currently maintain a 3.7 GPA and balance several roles that reflect my passion for service, leadership, and science. In addition to my work at Moffitt, I serve as a research assistant at the USF LASER Lab, where I contribute to stroke recovery studies, and I am also Vice President of the Pre-Medical American Medical Student Association (PAMSA) at USF. Through PAMSA, I mentor fellow pre-med students, promote professional development, and help cultivate a supportive and inclusive community of aspiring healthcare providers. My ultimate goal is to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) with a focus on internal medicine. I am drawn to osteopathic medicine because of its emphasis on holistic, preventative care, something I believe is essential for truly effective healing. I want to use my platform to address healthcare disparities, especially among underserved and underrepresented populations. I am particularly passionate about integrating nutrition education and mental health awareness into routine patient care, recognizing the broader factors that shape health outcomes. As a Jamaican-Guyanese woman in STEM, I’ve often found myself navigating spaces where few people look like me. I understand the importance of representation, not just for visibility, but for access, advocacy, and justice. Like Michele L. Durant, whose life of service, education, and resilience inspires me deeply, I believe in the power of education to transform lives. She was a “forever student,” and I share that mindset. I am committed to lifelong learning and using my education to empower others. In the future, I envision opening a community-based clinic that combines primary care, nutrition counseling, and mental health resources to address the root causes of illness. I want to serve people holistically and create a space where underserved individuals feel heard, respected, and cared for. This scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my education, research, and service without being burdened by financial constraints. More importantly, it would help me continue Michele’s legacy by becoming a physician who heals with empathy, leads with purpose, and uplifts her community through action.

Amelia Boynton Robinson and Samuel William Boynton are known for their fight for African-Americans' right to vote. Amelia Boynton was one of the few African-Americans to be registered voters because the literacy test discriminated against African Americans seeking to vote. Ameila used her status as a registered voter to become very active in women's suffarge and fight for the voting rights of African Americans. She became one of the first black women to run for congress in Alabama. The influence that the Boyntons had made on the voting rights movement was a crucial part of why the 1965 Voting Rights Act was enacted. Outlawing the discrimantory voting process such as the literacy tests. The Boynton's story has inspired me to pursue my path of education because it helped me realize how powerful represenation is. Seeing all of Amelia Boynton Robinson's accomplishments and her fight for equality makes me want to make a change as well. My dream is to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and over the past five years, as a young black woman in my community, in the city of Tampa, Florida, I have seen an increase in the African-American homeless population. In my personal experiences, I believe that this has to deal with the lack of sufficient urban housing to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing to the financially underprivileged. Additionally, with low wages, it can be very difficult to pay rent in areas where their workplaces are located. Not to mention the growing cases of mental illnesses and the absence of targeted health/social services, so these people don’t turn to substance abuse. I believe a way that I can contribute to decreasing the homeless population in Tampa is to integrate community services, and health care services, and inform people experiencing homelessness about complex health challenges they might encounter. For example, substance use disorders, mental health problems, and chronic medical conditions. Ensuring access to quality health care is critical and must be a part of a community’s response to homelessness. Throughout my life, I have wanted to see a change in the health care industry, and becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic (D.O.) medicine will help accomplish that goal. Being a D.O. will let me emphasize the “whole-person” approach; allowing me to listen and partner with my patients to help them get healthy and stay well, instead of pushing pharmaceutical drugs to just temporarily fix the patient’s ailment. I envision once I have my own D.O. practice, to provide a platform for civic engagement that focuses on people who are socioeconomically challenged. Also, allowing them the ability to have access to substance use disorder treatment services and application lessons; such as the Medicaid Health Home option which integrates health home providers to coordinate all serious, acute, behavioral health problems that support the treatment of the whole person.