My interest in pursuing a career in the medical field derives from personal experiences that have profoundly shaped me. Growing up in rural West Virginia, I have witnessed the barriers many people face in accessing care, whether due to a lack of providers, financial strain, or long travel distances. I have seen family members and neighbors struggle with preventable health issues due to limited access to care. I have heard heartbreaking stories from people, including my grandmother, who had to choose between medication and basic necessities. These experiences have driven me to be part of the solution, ensuring that no one in my home state has to suffer due to inadequate healthcare. From a young age, I was fascinated by medicine and its ability to heal. My passion deepened as I became more aware of healthcare struggles within my community. Volunteering at local health fairs, I saw elderly residents waiting for free screenings because they could not afford regular checkups. I saw families using emergency rooms for primary care due to a lack of local clinics. These experiences opened my eyes to healthcare disparities and strengthened my resolve to make a difference. Pursuing a medical career is not just a professional goal—it is a personal mission. I want to support the people who raised me, particularly those who are underserved. I want to help families like mine, who have had to navigate a healthcare system that does not always prioritize their needs. In rural communities, healthcare can feel out of reach, and I am determined to change that. I aim to be a doctor who listens—not just to symptoms but to the stories behind them. Healthcare is about more than diagnosing and treating; it is about building trust, showing compassion, and making people feel seen and heard. My journey has not been without challenges. Growing up in a small town, opportunities in medicine were limited. I had to seek out experiences on my own, volunteering, shadowing healthcare professionals, and dedicating myself to academic excellence. Balancing rigorous coursework with leadership roles and community involvement has required perseverance and resilience. These challenges have only strengthened my commitment to this field. I believe that every person in this state deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. West Virginia has shaped who I am in ways that words cannot fully express. The love, kindness, and sense of community here are unmatched, and these values guide me every day. My goal is to use my education and career to give back to the place that has given me so much. I want to be there for the people of West Virginia in times of joy and hardship, just as they have been there for me. Looking ahead, I see myself working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of my home state. I want to bring healthcare to rural areas, support families struggling with addiction, and ensure that West Virginians have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives. This dream is more than just a career—it is a calling. The lessons I have learned growing up in this "Wild and Wonderful" state—perseverance, resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of community—will guide me as I work to make a lasting impact on those I care about most.

I imagine myself in the medical field, making a difference in the lives of West Virginians. My home state, beautiful and resilient, faces high rates of chronic diseases and healthcare shortages. Growing up in a rural community, I have witnessed the barriers many people face in accessing care, whether due to a lack of providers, financial strain, or long travel distances. These challenges have shaped my passion for pursuing a career in medicine. My inspiration comes from personal experiences that have left a lasting impact on me. I have seen family members and neighbors struggle with preventable health issues due to limited access to care. I have witnessed friends unable to afford necessary treatments and heard heartbreaking stories from people, including my grandmother, who had to choose between medication and basic necessities. These experiences have motivated me to be part of the solution, ensuring that no one in my home state has to suffer. From a young age, I was fascinated by medicine and its ability to heal. My passion deepened as I became more aware of healthcare struggles within my community. Volunteering at local health fairs, I saw elderly residents waiting for free screenings because they could not afford regular checkups. I saw families using emergency rooms for primary care due to a lack of local clinics. These experiences opened my eyes to healthcare disparities and strengthened my desire to make a difference. Pursuing a medical career is not just a professional goal—it is personal. I want to support the people who raised me, especially the underserved. I want to help families like mine, who have had to navigate a healthcare system that does not always prioritize their needs. In rural communities, healthcare can feel out of reach, and I want to change that. I aim to be a doctor who listens—not just to symptoms but to the stories behind them. Healthcare is about more than diagnosing and treating; it is about building trust, showing compassion, and making people feel seen and heard. I want to be part of efforts that provide education, resources, and outreach to communities in need. By helping people understand preventive care and giving them the tools to manage their health, I hope to empower West Virginians to lead healthier lives. I want to bring healthcare closer to home so that people don’t have to travel hours for a doctor’s visit or, worse, go without care altogether. I believe that every person in this state deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. West Virginia has shaped who I am in ways that words can’t fully express. The love, kindness, and sense of community here are unmatched, and these values guide me every day. My goal is to use my education and career to give back to the place that has given me so much. I want to be there for the people of West Virginia in times of joy and hardship, just as they have been there for me. Looking ahead, I see myself working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of my home state. I want to bring healthcare to rural areas, support families struggling with addiction, and ensure that West Virginians have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives. This dream is more than just a career—it is a calling. The lessons I have learned growing up in this “Wild and Wonderful” state—perseverance, resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of community—will guide me as I work to make a lasting impact on the lives of those I care about most.

I imagine myself in the medical field, making a difference in the lives of West Virginians. My home state, beautiful and resilient, faces high rates of chronic diseases and healthcare shortages. Growing up in a rural community, I have witnessed the barriers many people face in accessing care, whether due to a lack of providers, financial strain, or long travel distances. These challenges have shaped my passion for pursuing a career in medicine. My inspiration comes from personal experiences that have left a lasting impact on me. I have seen family members and neighbors struggle with preventable health issues due to limited access to care. I have witnessed friends unable to afford necessary treatments and heard heartbreaking stories from people, including my grandmother, who had to choose between medication and basic necessities. These experiences have motivated me to be part of the solution, ensuring that no one in my home state has to suffer. From a young age, I was fascinated by medicine and its ability to heal. My passion deepened as I became more aware of healthcare struggles within my community. Volunteering at local health fairs, I saw elderly residents waiting for free screenings because they could not afford regular checkups. I saw families using emergency rooms for primary care due to a lack of local clinics. These experiences opened my eyes to healthcare disparities and strengthened my desire to make a difference. Pursuing a medical career is not just a professional goal—it is personal. I want to support the people who raised me, especially the underserved. I want to help families like mine, who have had to navigate a healthcare system that does not always prioritize their needs. In rural communities, healthcare can feel out of reach, and I want to change that. I aim to be a doctor who listens—not just to symptoms but to the stories behind them. Healthcare is about more than diagnosing and treating; it is about building trust, showing compassion, and making people feel seen and heard. I want to be part of efforts that provide education, resources, and outreach to communities in need. By helping people understand preventive care and giving them the tools to manage their health, I hope to empower West Virginians to lead healthier lives. I want to bring healthcare closer to home so that people don’t have to travel hours for a doctor’s visit or, worse, go without care altogether. I believe that every person in this state deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. West Virginia has shaped who I am in ways that words can’t fully express. The love, kindness, and sense of community here are unmatched, and these values guide me every day. My goal is to use my education and career to give back to the place that has given me so much. I want to be there for the people of West Virginia in times of joy and hardship, just as they have been there for me. Looking ahead, I see myself working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of my home state. I want to bring healthcare to rural areas, support families struggling with addiction, and ensure that West Virginians have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives. This dream is more than just a career—it is a calling. The lessons I have learned growing up in this “Wild and Wonderful” state—perseverance, resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of community—will guide me as I work to make a lasting impact on the lives of those I care about most.

I imagine myself in the medical field, making a difference in the lives of West Virginians. My home state, beautiful and resilient, faces high rates of chronic diseases and healthcare shortages. Growing up in a rural community, I have witnessed the barriers many people face in accessing care, whether due to a lack of providers, financial strain, or long travel distances. These challenges have shaped my passion for pursuing a career in medicine. My inspiration comes from personal experiences that have left a lasting impact on me. I have seen family members and neighbors struggle with preventable health issues due to limited access to care. I have witnessed friends unable to afford necessary treatments and heard heartbreaking stories from people, including my grandmother, who had to choose between medication and basic necessities. These experiences have motivated me to be part of the solution, ensuring that no one in my home state has to suffer. From a young age, I was fascinated by medicine and its ability to heal. My passion deepened as I became more aware of healthcare struggles within my community. Volunteering at local health fairs, I saw elderly residents waiting for free screenings because they could not afford regular checkups. I saw families using emergency rooms for primary care due to a lack of local clinics. These experiences opened my eyes to healthcare disparities and strengthened my desire to make a difference. Pursuing a medical career is not just a professional goal—it is personal. I want to support the people who raised me, especially the underserved. I want to help families like mine, who have had to navigate a healthcare system that does not always prioritize their needs. In rural communities, healthcare can feel out of reach, and I want to change that. I aim to be a doctor who listens—not just to symptoms but to the stories behind them. Healthcare is about more than diagnosing and treating; it is about building trust, showing compassion, and making people feel seen and heard. I want to be part of efforts that provide education, resources, and outreach to communities in need. By helping people understand preventive care and giving them the tools to manage their health, I hope to empower West Virginians to lead healthier lives. I want to bring healthcare closer to home so that people don’t have to travel hours for a doctor’s visit or, worse, go without care altogether. I believe that every person in this state deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. West Virginia has shaped who I am in ways that words can’t fully express. The love, kindness, and sense of community here are unmatched, and these values guide me every day. My goal is to use my education and career to give back to the place that has given me so much. I want to be there for the people of West Virginia in times of joy and hardship, just as they have been there for me. Looking ahead, I see myself working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of my home state. I want to bring healthcare to rural areas, support families struggling with addiction, and ensure that West Virginians have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives. This dream is more than just a career—it is a calling. The lessons I have learned growing up in this “Wild and Wonderful” state—perseverance, resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of community—will guide me as I work to make a lasting impact on the lives of those I care about most.

I imagine myself in the medical field, making a difference in the lives of West Virginians. My home state, beautiful and resilient, faces high rates of chronic diseases and healthcare shortages. Growing up in a rural community, I have witnessed the barriers many people face in accessing care, whether due to a lack of providers, financial strain, or long travel distances. These challenges have shaped my passion for pursuing a career in medicine. My inspiration comes from personal experiences that have left a lasting impact on me. I have seen family members and neighbors struggle with preventable health issues due to limited access to care. I have witnessed friends unable to afford necessary treatments and heard heartbreaking stories from people, including my grandmother, who had to choose between medication and basic necessities. These experiences have motivated me to be part of the solution, ensuring that no one in my home state has to suffer. From a young age, I was fascinated by medicine and its ability to heal. My passion deepened as I became more aware of healthcare struggles within my community. Volunteering at local health fairs, I saw elderly residents waiting for free screenings because they could not afford regular checkups. I saw families using emergency rooms for primary care due to a lack of local clinics. These experiences opened my eyes to healthcare disparities and strengthened my desire to make a difference. Pursuing a medical career is not just a professional goal—it is personal. I want to support the people who raised me, especially the underserved. I want to help families like mine, who have had to navigate a healthcare system that does not always prioritize their needs. In rural communities, healthcare can feel out of reach, and I want to change that. I aim to be a doctor who listens—not just to symptoms but to the stories behind them. Healthcare is about more than diagnosing and treating; it is about building trust, showing compassion, and making people feel seen and heard. I want to be part of efforts that provide education, resources, and outreach to communities in need. By helping people understand preventive care and giving them the tools to manage their health, I hope to empower West Virginians to lead healthier lives. I want to bring healthcare closer to home so that people don’t have to travel hours for a doctor’s visit or, worse, go without care altogether. I believe that every person in this state deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. West Virginia has shaped who I am in ways that words can’t fully express. The love, kindness, and sense of community here are unmatched, and these values guide me every day. My goal is to use my education and career to give back to the place that has given me so much. I want to be there for the people of West Virginia in times of joy and hardship, just as they have been there for me. Looking ahead, I see myself working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of my home state. I want to bring healthcare to rural areas, support families struggling with addiction, and ensure that West Virginians have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives. This dream is more than just a career—it is a calling. The lessons I have learned growing up in this “Wild and Wonderful” state—perseverance, resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of community—will guide me as I work to make a lasting impact on the lives of those I care about most.

Family is the most important aspect of my life, and one of the most influential people in my world is my Aunt Michele. For as long as I can remember, she has endured excruciating pain that often prevents us from visiting. Despite this, her strength and resilience have inspired me to pursue a career in neurology. Aunt Michele’s journey began in 2001, when she was 26. After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, complications led to her spending five months in a specialty hospital and being placed in a drug-induced coma due to acute respiratory issues. After her release, she moved in with my grandparents, who cared for her as she recovered. In 2002, Aunt Michele began experiencing weakness and instability, eventually losing the ability to walk or use her hands. After several tests, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. She endured months of severe pain, numbness, and weakness, and our family feared she might never regain her independence. However, after extensive rehabilitation, she returned to her law practice in 2004. Despite this progress, Aunt Michele’s health remained unstable. In 2010, she began to feel a familiar sensation in her legs and feet, which led to a diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), another rare neurological disorder that causes weakness, pain, and disability. She started receiving IVIG infusions every three weeks, which allowed her to continue working from home. However, by 2020, CIDP was confirmed as a lifelong challenge. Despite these ongoing struggles, Aunt Michele continues to demonstrate incredible resilience. She lives daily with fatigue, pain, and numbness, yet she faces these challenges with grace. Her determination to remain a positive force within our family has profoundly impacted me. She is my hero, and her courage has inspired me to pursue neurology. The summer before my junior year, I attended the West Virginia University Summer Brain Camp, which sparked my deep interest in neuroscience. The experience allowed me to explore neuroanatomy, brain function, and the effects of brain injuries. One of the most memorable moments was observing real brains and studying the nervous system. It was awe-inspiring to see firsthand how the brain controls every action, thought, and behavior, igniting my passion to understand the complexities of the brain and the disorders that affect it. As I delved deeper into neuroscience, I became fascinated by the challenges of treating neurological disorders, especially those like GBS, CIDP, and mental health conditions, which are poorly understood and difficult to treat. Scientific research offers hope for breakthroughs in these fields, fueling my desire to pursue medicine. My goal is to become a neurologist and contribute to the growing field of neuroscience by advancing treatments that improve the lives of patients. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve maintained a strong commitment to my studies, seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge in biology and neuroscience. I aim to attend medical school and contribute to research on neurological disorders, particularly CIDP and autoimmune-related conditions. It would be my honor to help patients like Aunt Michele, who has shown me the true meaning of courage and perseverance. Her strength has shaped my path, motivating me to make a meaningful impact in neurology and honor her legacy by advancing treatments that improve the lives of patients facing similar challenges.

Family is the most important aspect of my life, and one of the most influential people in my world is my Aunt Michele. For as long as I can remember, she has endured excruciating pain that often prevents us from visiting. Despite this, her strength and resilience have inspired me to pursue a career in neurology. Aunt Michele’s journey began in 2001, when she was 26. After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, complications led to her spending five months in a specialty hospital and being placed in a drug-induced coma due to acute respiratory issues. After her release, she moved in with my grandparents, who cared for her as she recovered. In 2002, Aunt Michele began experiencing weakness and instability, eventually losing the ability to walk or use her hands. After several tests, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. She endured months of severe pain, numbness, and weakness, and our family feared she might never regain her independence. However, after extensive rehabilitation, she returned to her law practice in 2004. Despite this progress, Aunt Michele’s health remained unstable. In 2010, she began to feel a familiar sensation in her legs and feet, which led to a diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), another rare neurological disorder that causes weakness, pain, and disability. She started receiving IVIG infusions every three weeks, which allowed her to continue working from home. However, by 2020, CIDP was confirmed as a lifelong challenge. Despite these ongoing struggles, Aunt Michele continues to demonstrate incredible resilience. She lives daily with fatigue, pain, and numbness, yet she faces these challenges with grace. Her determination to remain a positive force within our family has profoundly impacted me. She is my hero, and her courage has inspired me to pursue neurology. The summer before my junior year, I attended the West Virginia University Summer Brain Camp, which sparked my deep interest in neuroscience. The experience allowed me to explore neuroanatomy, brain function, and the effects of brain injuries. One of the most memorable moments was observing real brains and studying the nervous system. It was awe-inspiring to see firsthand how the brain controls every action, thought, and behavior, igniting my passion to understand the complexities of the brain and the disorders that affect it. As I delved deeper into neuroscience, I became fascinated by the challenges of treating neurological disorders, especially those like GBS, CIDP, and mental health conditions, which are poorly understood and difficult to treat. Scientific research offers hope for breakthroughs in these fields, fueling my desire to pursue medicine. My goal is to become a neurologist and contribute to the growing field of neuroscience by advancing treatments that improve the lives of patients. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve maintained a strong commitment to my studies, seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge in biology and neuroscience. I aim to attend medical school and contribute to research on neurological disorders, particularly CIDP and autoimmune-related conditions. It would be my honor to help patients like Aunt Michele, who has shown me the true meaning of courage and perseverance. Her strength has shaped my path, motivating me to make a meaningful impact in neurology and honor her legacy by advancing treatments that improve the lives of patients facing similar challenges.