I chose to pursue a career in medicine because of its unique intersection of science, empathy, and advocacy. My passion for healthcare was ignited by personal experiences that showed me the profound impact compassionate care can have on individuals and communities, particularly those often overlooked by the healthcare system. As a clinical intern at Concord Nursing Home, I worked with elderly patients, including Ms. R, a frail British woman in her late 80s who suffered from Lewy Body Dementia. She was often labeled “difficult” due to her psychotic episodes and confusion, but I saw someone in need of understanding. During a particularly tense wound care session, I instinctively grabbed her hand to calm her and softly sang “Taps,” a hymn I remembered from my Girl Scout days. To my surprise, her agitation melted away, and the care team was able to proceed. That moment reinforced the importance of seeing patients as whole individuals, not just as diagnoses or symptoms. It reminded me that medicine is not only about treating physical ailments but also about addressing emotional and psychological needs. Throughout my life, I’ve been inspired by examples of healthcare providers who go above and beyond to connect with their patients. These interactions—whether offering a quiet prayer or sharing a joke—have shaped my aspiration to be a physician who alleviates fear and builds trust. I want to help my patients view medical spaces not as places of discomfort or intimidation but as sources of healing, empowerment, and education. The COVID-19 pandemic further solidified my commitment to healthcare. Volunteering as a community canvasser in New York City, I had conversations with people hesitant about vaccines. While some voiced conspiracy theories, others shared deeply personal reasons for their mistrust: historical medical injustices, dismissive treatment by providers, or feeling unseen and unheard. Listening to these stories deepened my desire to bridge gaps in understanding and trust between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. I am currently pursuing a dual MD/MPH degree, which equips me to address health disparities on both individual and systemic levels. My public health work with Feeding the Change in Mozambique has allowed me to tackle barriers to hydrocephalus surgery for children and implement interventions for acute malnutrition. Volunteering with Jardin de Zoey in Côte d’Ivoire has focused my efforts on disseminating health resources related to mental health, environmental health, and gender-based violence. These experiences have shown me the transformative potential of combining clinical practice with public health initiatives. In the future, I aim to open a family medicine practice in an underserved community, where I can implement evidence-based preventative health interventions tailored to the needs of my patients. I aspire to create a space where healthcare is accessible, affordable, and equitable—where every patient feels valued and cared for. My ultimate goal is to be a physician who not only treats illnesses but also advocates for systemic changes that promote health equity. Medicine is my chosen path because it allows me to combine my love of science with a deep commitment to serving others. Through compassionate care, public health advocacy, and patient education, I hope to help my future patients find comfort, empowerment, and better health outcomes.

Life is inherently, almost incessantly challenging. I view my life's purpose as doing what I can to help alleviate life's burdens for others. Raised by parents whose careers are centered on service—my mom, a nurse, and my dad, an employee for the Department of Homeless Services in NYC—I learned early on the importance of selflessness and altruism. My parents instilled in me the value of serving others, and from a young age, I began volunteering with my father at various homeless outreach events. This commitment to service has stayed with me through every stage of my life, shaping my identity as someone who strives to help those in need. Growing up as a Girl Scout for 13 years, I participated in countless service activities that helped shape my sense of responsibility towards my community. One of my proudest achievements was earning my Girl Scout Gold Award, a 150-hour community service project that I dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s, in honor of my paternal grandmother who had passed away from late-stage dementia. As part of this project, I coordinated Alzheimer's awareness efforts and nursing home activity days, helping to uplift elderly individuals in my community. These early experiences deepened my commitment to advocating for others, especially those who are often overlooked or underserved. In college, I expanded my involvement in service by volunteering as a clinical intern at a severely understaffed and underfunded nursing and rehabilitation center in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Here, I saw firsthand how social determinants of health—such as income, education, and environment—directly affect health outcomes. Witnessing the inequities in healthcare access deepened my resolve to support underserved populations. Through Peer Health Exchange, I taught health education to high school students attending underfunded schools, offering them vital knowledge on topics like sexual health and substance abuse. These experiences were incredibly humbling, as I realized the difference that access to health education can make in someone’s life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I continued my volunteer efforts by working with a public health organization to distribute masks, testing kits, and vaccination information to low-income communities across New York City. I also volunteered with the Correctional Association of New York to advocate for pandemic preparedness within correctional facilities, pushing for policies that could prevent the spread of infectious diseases among incarcerated populations. Currently, as a medical student, I hold a leadership role in our school’s healthcare homeless outreach initiative, ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness have access to essential health services. In graduate school, I also volunteer weekly with Habitat for Humanity, helping to provide affordable housing to those in need, and I conduct global health research focused on improving nutrition and mental health resources. To me, selflessness is about being present when others need you most, whether that’s during a public health crisis or when someone is simply struggling to find hope. Volunteering has not only allowed me to give back to my community but also taught me valuable skills in communication, advocacy, and leadership. These experiences have shaped me into a better listener and a more compassionate person. Above all, I’ve learned that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.

When my father was nineteen, a devastating fire destroyed his family home, leaving him, my uncles, and my grandmother homeless for nearly two years. This experience profoundly influenced my father's career path, leading him to work with NYC’s Department of Homeless Services. As a child, I accompanied him to meet his clients, which exposed me to the harsh realities and stigma faced by homeless individuals. I was deeply moved by the severe impact of inadequate access to quality healthcare on both their physical and mental well-being. This early exposure inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, driven by a commitment to improve care for underserved and marginalized communities. During my undergraduate studies at Macaulay Honors Brooklyn College, I actively engaged in healthcare advocacy and service. I volunteered as a clinical intern at a critically underfunded nursing home in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. There, I witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of insufficient resources, with patients often suffering from preventable conditions due to delays in medical supplies and severe understaffing. Despite these challenges, I found profound satisfaction in providing essential care and supporting patients during their most vulnerable moments. This experience solidified my determination to specialize in primary care and serve historically marginalized populations. In addition to my clinical experience, I dedicated myself to health education by teaching classes in underfunded high schools, addressing critical gaps in health literacy. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the disparities in healthcare access. As a volunteer with a public health organization, I assisted in disseminating information and resources about COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to low-income communities across NYC. This role reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education in enhancing community health outcomes. At Georgetown University, I continue to pursue my passion through academic excellence and community service. As part of the Population Health Scholars Track, I am involved in research focused on enhancing cancer screening equity—a crucial step in reducing health disparities. Leading Georgetown’s Street Medicine Outreach program, I work closely with local communities to provide essential health services and advocate for comprehensive healthcare solutions. This year, I will complete my Master of Public Health at St. Ambrose University, where I will deepen my knowledge of epidemiology, advocacy for policy reform, and community health program development. Looking ahead, my goal as a future physician is to establish sustainable healthcare initiatives that prioritize preventive care and mental health support for underserved populations. I envision creating educational workshops to empower communities with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed health decisions, addressing healthcare inequities at their roots. I am committed to using my skills and experiences to drive meaningful change and advance health equity, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, has access to the care and support they deserve.