With the pressure of being first-generation, I decided to attend community college while I was still attending high school. During those years, I learned the most about myself. I discovered my passion for helping others and the boost of serotonin I get from others' joy. Following my completion of my high diploma and associates degree, I then later transferred to The University of Texas at Austin. I am currently pursuing a B.S in psychology on a pre-med track. While in Austin, I decided to become a medical scribe. This opportunity allowed me to further explore my interest in medicine and patient care. Within a couple of months of working with patients at a clinic, i was sure enough the medical field was for me. But as a black woman, i knew if i continued to go on this path, it was going to be extremely challenging. But oddly enough, that's what pushes me the most. Black represention in the medical field, to me, is a rare finding. Often times this can lead to black patients being misunderstood or neglected. This concept was later supported when a case was presented to me by my doctor. This patient was like me...black. With a few ice breakers, the patient became comfortable enough to further open up to me about the incident that led him to his visit with us. He explained the neglect of treatment from other doctors and the dismissal of his physical restrictions at work. I could not say I was stunned by the situation he was placed in. After my doctor reviewed his charts and imaging, it was clear he needed medical attention. Luckily enough, my doctor properly treated him before it got worse. But imagine if my doctor was not like us, black. What if the doctor was like every other doctor he had visited. My career choice became even more clear to me. Not only do I plan to pursue an MD degree but a JD degree as well. With an MD/JD degree, I will commit myself to diversity and fight racial disparities in the healthcare field. This patient was just one of the many other patients who were neglected or denied treatment because they were a minority. In addition, many prosecutors lack knowledge of the law aspect in medicine, so defending a patient can be challenging. But I will be able to properly defend and assure justice for the patient with the education I will gain from pursuing an MD/JD degree. Many doctors need to be held responsible for their unfair treatment of minority patients and I will be the one to hold them responsible.

I was raised by two immigrant parents from the islands. They came here with nothing but the change in their pockets. With barely any money to their names and a visa that will expire soon, they boarded a plane that only went one way. But they did not care because America was the land of the free and the rich. I remember the day I begged my dad to get me a happy meal special at McDonald’s because everyone in the class had the toy that came with it. My dad avoided me, till he could not. I was too young to understand that the $6 he spent on me, just made him $6 shorter on rent. We did not get to grow up with the same luxury as some other families did. With the pressure of being first-generation, I decided to attend community college while I was still attending high school. I then later transferred to The University of Texas at Austin. I am currently pursuing a B.S in psychology on a pre-med track. While in Austin, I was also allowed to become a medical scribe/ assistant. This opportunity allowed me to further explore my interest in medicine. At this point, I was sure the medical field was for me. But it became even more clear of my purpose in medicine when I was introduced to a patient's case. This patient was like me...black. I was allowed to be assigned this patient. With a few ice breakers, the patient became comfortable enough to further open up to me about the incident that led him to his visit with us. He explained the neglect of treatment from other doctors and the dismissal of his physical restrictions at work. I could not say I was stunned by the situation he was placed in. My career choice became even more clear to me. Not only do I plan to pursue an MD degree but a JD degree as well. With an MD/JD degree, I will commit myself to diversity and fight racial disparities in the healthcare field. This patient was just one of the many other patients who were neglected or denied treatment because they were a minority. In addition, many prosecutors lack knowledge of the law aspect in medicine, so defending a patient can be challenging. But I will be able to properly defend and assure justice for the patient with the education I will gain from pursuing an MD/JD degree. Many doctors need to be held responsible for their unfair treatment of minority patients and I will be the one to hold them responsible.

I was sent to a room to follow up with a patient and answer any unanswered questions. This patient was like me, black. With a few ice breakers, the patient became comfortable enough to further open up to me about the incident that led him to his visit with us today. He explained the neglect of treatment from other doctors and the dismissal of his physical restrictions at work. I could not say I was stunned by the situation he was placed in. As a medical scribe, I have access to charts and it was clear that he needed further medical attention and restrictions at work. This was another small reason why I have decided to not only pursue an MD degree but a JD degree as well. I will commit myself to diversity, with an MD/JD degree, to fight racial disparities in the healthcare field. As I am a Junior in college, I am planning to apply to medical school in the year 2022. The application process is not a cheap process. As my twin sister and I both currently attend college, the financial burden and strain fall on my father. So, if I get this scholarship, I plan to use the money to apply to an MD/JD program. Furthermore, in the next 10 years, I would have completed the MD/JD program and I will be taking a couple of years building clientele and experience working for hospitals.

$300 wrapped in around my sister’s waist, a little more in my brother’s pocket. But my mom had more because she had the bigger purse. That’s all they had. But they did not care because America was the land of the free and everyone was wealthy. Right?... My parents and three siblings migrated here in the year of 2001. They came here because they knew they wanted more than what their country offered them. With barely any money to their names and a visa that will expire soon, they boarded a plane that only went one way. I had the opportunity to see my parents work their way up from nothing. It’s their bravery to take chances and determination to keep going that inspires me most. I believe it is qualities I also see in myself. I find myself relishing overtaking chances, stepping out of my boundaries. I push myself on my hardest days. I look for the light in the darkest rooms, not only because I witness my parents do it, but because I believe this is where the greatest hope is created. I will be the first in my family to pursue an education higher than a High School education. Throughout my education years, I hope to achieve many things. I am currently pursuing both my High School diploma and Associates Degree in general studies. So, when I graduate from High School this upcoming spring, I hope to be graduating with both degrees completed. Later, I hope to attend The University of Texas, where I will major in Biochemistry and minor in psychology. As you can probably tell by my major, I do hope to later attend medical school. But instead of going to medical school to pursue an MD, I hope to pursue an ND. A naturopathic doctor specializes in healing the body through natural, non-invasive methods. So, the school I would have to attend is a school that teaches holistic medicine and license’s Naturopathic Doctors. During these crucial years of school, I want to participate in many things as possible. I want to establish as many clubs that advocate in black students healing and may be suffering from any mental health illnesses. I aim to assure that black students feel included, especially because the school I admire to attend has a much larger white population vs the black population. Furthermore, after medical school, I hope to acquire a position in a hospital, where I can practice holistic medicine. But practicing in a hospital, not owned by me, is not where want to stay and practice medicine. After a couple of years, I hope to establish my practice. Many statics have proven the lack of attention and care black people receive as patients. So, being able to own my practice, I have a greater opportunity to assure the proper care and treatments are given to my fellow black community. I hope to bring back that sense of hope that was lost when they walked into a hospital that neglected their needs because they were black. In short, I was raised in a household where nothing, but self-determination and faith were taught. I never understood the concept of giving up, but instead, continue to have hope and I will get there. I will use these many taught items to get me through college and my chosen career.