My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing healthcare internships; completing a pre-med degree in health sciences at Spelman College; and surviving and graduating from medical school in 2030, all while continuing to support my local community. Studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother. She recently experienced symptoms typically caused by thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that there was nothing wrong with her. Not one would listen! It took her consulting with a specialist in another state – that was recommended by a doctor that she knows personally – to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid. It should not be this hard to receive adequate medical care. To this end, on my medical career journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by black women. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about radiology, surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. Overall, these programs demonstrate my determination to succeed at becoming a physician – but not just any physician. While some students want to become a doctor for the money, for me, it is more than that, and I realized this during several internships at outpatient medical facilities. I have seen first-hand how patients are poorly treated. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences. I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable in our society. I believe it is a moral imperative to help others, which is one reason why I want to enter the medical field. Providing goodwill to a neighbor provides me a sense of purpose, a feeling that I have done my small part to uplift others. To this end, I have completed approximately 840 hours of community service to date. Key projects include leading a cheerleading camp coach and participating in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s fundraisers and community service projects. I not only served as the captain of the Madison Academy varsity cheer team, but I also served for four years as a Madison Academy elementary cheerleaders’ camp coach and team leader. At camp, I taught my cohort of girls how to perform cheers, dances, and stunts for six hours per day, five days a week. I enjoyed training, mentoring, and challenging my young girls; I loved their energy to learn! I believe it is important to encourage children to believe in themselves, to work hard, to work together, and to have fun while doing so. One example of my impact with the girls deals with self-esteem. Even the most modest cheer outfits can be revealing, and with many of the girls starting puberty and dealing with the resulting body changes and unrealistic beauty expectations, I had to dig deep, using my own experiences with self-hate of my appearance, to uplift and boost the confidence of one of my girls. It was not easy, but I hope they carry the time spent with me and my encouraging words with them as they continue their cheer journey. In addition to volunteering as a cheer coach, I have had the pleasure of completing approximately 250 hours of service with the Rho Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, including donating shoes, clothes, and hygiene products to girls in the local community. With the sorority, I have also supported backpack fundraisers for less fortunate kids for back-to-school campaigns, and I have raised over $6,000 for historically black college and universities (HBCU) scholarships, which is very important to me, not only because I support HBCUs, but also because I start my post-secondary, educational journey at Spelman College this fall. Completing and leading service projects with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has taught me to be thankful for everything that I have, even the smallest of things. After graduating from medical school in 2030, I plan to do my small part to the fight the global issue of healthcare inequalities experienced by poor people and people of color by mentoring, training, and establishing scholarships for pre-med students of color, as I believe one way to reduce healthcare inequalities is to diversify the medical field. I would be honored and grateful to receive the ProjectGiveBack scholarship, which will help support me on my journey to becoming a doctor. Thank you for your consideration! 1)https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Two life experiences have influenced my ambition to become a physician: racism and cancer. Studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that we are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother as she dealt with thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that nothing was wrong with her. It took her consulting with a specialist in another state to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid. This experience solidified my drive to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of the challenges faced by black women. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my spirit and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Witnessing my mother receive inadequate healthcare and overcoming a personal cancer scare have strengthened my desire to become a doctor. I would be honored to receive the Bold Perseverance scholarship. [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Two life experiences have influenced my ambition to become a physician: racism and cancer. Studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that we are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother as she dealt with thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that nothing was wrong with her. It took her consulting with a specialist in another state to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid. This experience solidified my drive to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of the challenges faced by black women. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my spirit and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Witnessing my mother receive inadequate healthcare and overcoming a personal cancer scare have strengthened my desire to become a doctor. I would be honored to receive the Bold scholarship. [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

I love to bake cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, you name it, but my passion is a perfectly crafted macaron. Let’s be clear, I am no Jessica Craig, but I can hold my own with a KitchenAid® stand mixer. To this end, if I were invited to give a keynote speech on a topic that I am passionate about, I would illustrate the key steps to a perfect macaron at the International Macaron Symposium, likely in a beginner, break-out session. I have learned that there are three key factors to perfecting the crunchy exterior, yet pillowy interior, and sweet, but not too sweet, macaron. First, measuring every ingredient perfectly is critical because if one thing is measured incorrectly the entire dish is ruined. Secondly, making sure the macarons mature is important because you want an exemplary texture, while also having the right balance of sweetness. Lastly, baking the macarons at the appropriate temperature for the exact amount of time is a must. Trust me, if you follow these three simple rules, your macarons will give any macaron from the famous Ladurée in Paris a run for its money – or at least your momma would enjoy it. While baking may seem like a trivial exercise, it is very science-based — think of it as a chemistry lab. Any wrong ingredient or proportion can result in disaster! Furthermore, the synthesis of a perfect macaron – my favorite flavor is vanilla – is a welcomed respite from the stress of homework, SATs, cheer practice, and annoying younger sisters!

My career goal is to practice medicine. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing medical-focused, summer programs; completing a degree in biology/pre-med at Spelman College by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. In 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. My medical-focused, summer programs, along with my 3.99 grade point average, 840 hours of community service, and leadership positions, including two years as captain of the varsity cheerleading team, have prepared me for the long journey to become a doctor. Because I want to be challenged intellectually by other women of color, I am happy to announce that my journey will begin at Spelman College, the number one historically black college and university (HBCU)! I would be honored to win the Black Students in STEM scholarship.

Two key life experiences that have influenced my ambition to major in biology/biomedical engineering and to become a physician include racism and cancer. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. Fortunately, as I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother. She recently experienced symptoms typically caused by thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that there was nothing wrong with her. Not one would listen! It took her consulting with a specialist in another state – that was recommended by a doctor that she knows personally – to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid. It should not be this hard to receive adequate medical care. To this end, on my medical career journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by black women. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. For my mom “probably,” was insufficient. The surgeon said they typically do not perform surgery on tumors that are likely benign and less than five centimeters. While the doctor persisted, my mom prevailed. I was having surgery. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, God revealed character traits that I did not know I had. I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my mental state, spirit, and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Additionally, while we disagreed with the surgeon’s treatment recommendation, I am grateful to her for hearing us and respecting our concerns – two traits I will embody when caring for my future patients. Overcoming self-doubt and witnessing my mother receive inadequate healthcare because of racial bias and beating a personal cancer scare have strengthened my desire to major in biology/biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor. I am eager to do my small part to the fight the global issue of healthcare inequalities experienced by poor people and people of color, including mentoring, training, and establishing scholarships for pre-med students of color after I start my career, as I believe one way to reduce healthcare inequalities is to diversify the medical field. I would be honored and grateful to receive the Rho Brooks Women in STEM scholarship. Thank you for your consideration! 1https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Two key life experiences that have influenced my ambition to major in biology/biomedical engineering and to become a physician include racism and cancer. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. Fortunately, as I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother. She recently experienced symptoms typically caused by thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that there was nothing wrong with her. Not one would listen! It took her consulting with a specialist in another state – that was recommended by a doctor that she knows personally – to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid. It should not be this hard to receive adequate medical care. To this end, on my medical career journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by black women. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. For my mom “probably,” was insufficient. The surgeon said they typically do not perform surgery on tumors that are likely benign and less than five centimeters. While the doctor persisted, my mom prevailed. I was having surgery. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, God revealed character traits that I did not know I had. I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my mental state, spirit, and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Additionally, while we disagreed with the surgeon’s treatment recommendation, I am grateful to her for hearing us and respecting our concerns – two traits I will embody when caring for my future patients. Overcoming self-doubt and witnessing my mother receive inadequate healthcare because of racial bias and beating a personal cancer scare have strengthened my desire to major in biology/biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor. I am eager to do my small part to the fight the global issue of healthcare inequalities experienced by poor people and people of color, including mentoring, training, and establishing scholarships for pre-med students of color after I start my career, as I believe one way to reduce healthcare inequalities is to diversify the medical field. I would be honored and grateful to receive the Snap Finance Young Women for STEM scholarship. Thank you for your consideration! 1https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Providing goodwill to a neighbor provides me a sense of purpose, a feeling that I have done my small part to uplift others. To this end, I have completed approximately 840 hours of community service to date. My favorite project was leading a cheerleading camp as a coach and team leader. I not only serve as the captain of the Madison Academy varsity cheer team, but I have also served for four years as a Madison Academy elementary cheerleaders’ camp coach and team leader. At camp, I teach my cohort of girls how to perform cheers, dances, and stunts for six hours per day, five days a week. I have enjoyed training, mentoring, and challenging my young girls; I love their energy to learn! I believe it is important to encourage children to believe in themselves, to work hard, to work together, and to have fun while doing so. One example of my impact with the girls deals with self-esteem. Even the most modest cheer outfits can be revealing, and with many of the girls starting puberty and dealing with the resulting body changes and unrealistic beauty expectations, I had to dig deep, using my own experiences with self-hate of my appearance, to uplift and boost the confidence of a one of my girls. It was not easy, but I hope they carry the time spent with me and my encouraging words with them as they continue their cheer journey. This experience has helped me hone my leadership and communication skills. More importantly, it revealed to me the importance of using painful memories and empathy to help others. I would be honored to receive a scholarship, which would allow me to continue similar service projects while in college.

My career goal is to practice medicine. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing medical-focused, summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biology or biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. In 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. My medical-focused, summer programs along with my 3.99 grade point average, 840 hours of community service, and leadership positions, including two years as captain of the varsity cheerleading team, have prepared me for the long journey to become a doctor. I would be honored to win a scholarship, which will support my medical journey. Thank you for your consideration!

My career goal is to practice medicine. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing medical-focused, summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biology or biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. In 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. My medical-focused, summer programs along with my 3.99 grade point average, 840 hours of community service, and leadership positions, including two years as captain of the varsity cheerleading team, have prepared me for the long journey to become a doctor. I would be honored to win a scholarship, which will support my medical journey. Thank you for your consideration!

Two life experiences have influenced my ambition to become a physician: racism and cancer. Studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that we are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother as she dealt with thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that nothing was wrong with her. It took her consulting with a specialist in another state to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid. This experience solidified my drive to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of the challenges faced by black women. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my spirit and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Witnessing my mother receive inadequate healthcare and overcoming a personal cancer scare have strengthened my desire to become a doctor. I would be honored to receive the Bold Perseverance scholarship. [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Providing goodwill to a neighbor provides me a sense of purpose, a feeling that I have done my small part to uplift others. To this end, I have completed approximately 840 hours of community service to date. My favorite project was leading a cheerleading camp as a coach and team leader. I not only serve as the captain of the Madison Academy varsity cheer team, but I have also served for four years as a Madison Academy elementary cheerleaders’ camp coach and team leader. At camp, I teach my cohort of girls how to perform cheers, dances, and stunts for six hours per day, five days a week. I have enjoyed training, mentoring, and challenging my young girls; I love their energy to learn! I believe it is important to encourage children to believe in themselves, to work hard, to work together, and to have fun while doing so. One example of my impact with the girls deals with self-esteem. Even the most modest cheer outfits can be revealing, and with many of the girls starting puberty and dealing with the resulting body changes and unrealistic beauty expectations, I had to dig deep, using my own experiences with self-hate of my appearance, to uplift and boost the confidence of a one of my girls. It was not easy, but I hope they carry the time spent with me and my encouraging words with them as they continue their cheer journey. This experience has helped me hone my leadership and communication skills. More importantly, it revealed to me the importance of using painful memories and empathy to help others. I would be honored to receive a scholarship, which would allow me to continue similar service projects while in college.

My ultimate career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing healthcare internships throughout high school and college; completing a pre-med degree in biology or biochemistry; and surviving and graduating from medical school in 2030, all while continuing to support my local community. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. I also obtained the medical certifications in Health & Safety Institute Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS). These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. Overall, these programs demonstrate my determination to succeed at becoming a physician – but not just any physician. While some students want to become a doctor for the money, for me, it is more than that, and I realized this during several internships at outpatient medical facilities. I have seen first-hand how patients are poorly treated. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences. I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable in our society. Achieving a degree in biology or biochemistry by 2026 is another objective to help me achieve my career goal. Because I want to be challenged intellectually and socially, I have decided to attended Spelman College. The academic rigor of Spelman will prepare me for medical school in 2030. After completing my undergraduate degree – with at least a 3.7 grade point average – I plan to apply to a competitive list of medical schools, including Howard University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University. I believe it is a moral imperative to help others, which is a key factor for my desire to enter the medical field. Providing goodwill to a neighbor provides me a sense of purpose, a feeling that I have done my small part to uplift others. To this end, I have completed approximately 840 hours of community service to date. Key projects include being a cheerleading camp coach and participating in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s fundraisers and community service projects. I not only serve as the captain of the Madison Academy varsity cheer team, but I have also served for four years as a Madison Academy elementary cheerleaders’ camp coach and team leader. At camp, I teach my cohort of girls how to perform cheers, dances, and stunts for six hours per day, five days a week. I have enjoyed training, mentoring, and challenging my young girls; I love their energy to learn! I believe it is important to encourage children to believe in themselves, to work hard, to work together, and to have fun while doing so. One example of my impact with the girls deals with self-esteem. Even the most modest cheer outfits can be revealing, and with many of the girls starting puberty and dealing with the resulting body changes and unrealistic beauty expectations, I had to dig deep, using my own experiences with self-hate of my appearance, to uplift and boost the confidence of a one of my girls. It is not easy, but I hope they carry the time spent with me and my encouraging words with them as they continue their cheer journey. Additionally, the team is always well prepared to cheer on the school’s sports team and to rally spectators in the stands. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving as a coach and team leader! In addition to volunteering as a cheer coach, I have had the pleasure of completing approximately 250 hours of service with the Rho Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, including donating shoes, clothes, and hygiene products to girls in the local community. With the sorority, I have also supported backpack fundraisers for less fortunate kids for back-to-school campaigns, and I have raised over $6,000 for historically black college and universities (HBCU) scholarships, which is very important to me, not only because I support HBCUs, but also because I plan to attend one. Completing and leading service projects with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has taught me to be thankful for everything that I have, even the smallest of things. I would be honored to win the ESOF scholarship, which will help support my career goal of becoming a physician, with a focus on reducing health care inequities in marginalized communities. Thank you for your consideration!

Injustices inflicted upon poor people and people of color – and especially the intersection of the two – continue to negatively impact the world. In my opinion, the most pressing global issue today is inequality due to systemic socioeconomic and racist policies and systems, specifically in the form of self-hate and healthcare inequities. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. Television and social media tricked kids like me, and continues to do so, into believing that there was one type of person that was beautiful: white kids, especially those with lighter skin, lighter hair, and lighter eyes. Even worse, adults, including teachers, family members, and religious leaders continue to spread this lie. For example, I have heard, “You would be pretty with lighter skin.” “You are pretty for a black girl.” It must stop! We must do better. If we do not allow people to love and to embrace their full selves, we are limiting our greatness and slowing our progress toward a more just world. Fortunately, as I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother. She recently experienced symptoms typically caused by thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that there was nothing wrong with her. Not one would listen! It took her consulting with a specialist in another state – that was recommended by a doctor that she knows personally – to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid. It should not be this hard to receive adequate medical care. To this end, on my medical career journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. Like the healthcare injustice experienced by mother, my medical internships have impacted my view on the inequities faced by poor people. Specifically, during my internships, I have seen medical assistants bully poor children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences, as I have learned what not to do with patients and how important it is to make sure my staff is properly trained to treat every person with dignity and respect. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and witnessing my mother and poor people receiving inadequate care have strengthened my desire to major in biology or biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor. I am eager to do my small part to the fight the global issue of healthcare inequalities experienced by poor people and people of color. Receiving the Kenyada Me'Chon Thomas Legacy scholarship would help me in this fight, as I would pay it forward by establishing a scholarship and by mentoring young, inspiring pre-med students of color. [1]https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Injustices inflicted upon poor people and people of color – and especially the intersection of the two – continue to negatively impact the world. In my opinion, the most pressing global issue today is inequality due to systemic socioeconomic and racist policies and systems, specifically in the form of self-hate and healthcare inequities. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. Television and social media tricked kids like me, and continues to do so, into believing that there was one type of person that was beautiful: white kids, especially those with lighter skin, lighter hair, and lighter eyes. We must do better. If we do not allow people to love and to embrace their full selves, we are limiting our greatness and slowing our progress toward a more just world. Fortunately, as I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this happen with my mother. She recently experienced symptoms typically caused by thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that there was nothing wrong with her. Not one would listen! It took her consulting with a specialist in another state – that was recommended by a doctor that she knows personally – to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with my mother to create a plan to live and thrive with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid. It should not be this hard to receive adequate medical care. To this end, on my medical career journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. Like the healthcare injustice experienced by mother, my medical internships have impacted my view on the inequities faced by poor people. Specifically, during my internships, I have seen medical assistants bully poor children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences, as I have learned what not to do with patients and how important it is to make sure my staff is diverse and properly trained to treat every person with dignity and respect. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and witnessing my mother and poor people receiving inadequate care have strengthened my desire to major in biology or biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor. I am eager to do my small part to the fight the global issue of healthcare inequalities experienced by poor people and people of color, including establishing scholarships for pre-med students of color and students from low-income backgrounds after I start my career, as I believe one way to reduce healthcare inequalities is to diversify the medical field. I would be honored and grateful to receive the Julia Elizabeth Legacy scholarship. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biology, biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering by 2026; and surviving and graduating from medical school in 2030. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. I also obtained medical certifications in Health & Safety Institute Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS). These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. Overall, these programs demonstrate my determination to succeed at becoming a physician – but not just any physician. While some students want to become a doctor for the money, for me, it's more than that, and I realized this during several internships at outpatient medical facilities. I have seen first-hand how patients are poorly treated. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences. Overall, I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable in our society. Achieving a degree in biology, biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering by 2026 is another objective to help me achieve my career goal. Because I want to be challenged intellectually and socially, I have applied to some of the most selective undergraduate programs in the country, including Howard University, Spelman College, Vanderbilt University, and Duke University. The academic rigor of these programs will prepare me for medical school in 2030. After completing my undergraduate degree – with at least a 3.7 grade point average – I plan to apply to a competitive list of medical schools, including Meharry College and Harvard University. Applying to world-renowned institutions comes at price. My undergraduate degree alone will cost at least 200,000$. Add at least another 500,000$ for medical school. Because of the price tags, I have applied to over 100 scholarships – and counting – for my undergraduate degree, with hopes of entering medical school debt free. I would be honored and grateful to win the Graduate Debt-Free scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my key objectives of completing undergraduate and medical degrees. Thank you for your consideration!

I am determined. When I set a target, I do not give up until I win. For example, my career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have inspired my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! I will ensure that my staff is diverse and properly trained to treat every patient with dignity and respect. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; and completing several medical summer programs and internships have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. Because of my determination to succeed, no obstacle stands a chance! Thank you for your consideration. [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have inspired my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! I will ensure that my staff is diverse and properly trained to treat every patient with dignity and respect. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; and completing several medical summer programs and internships have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the Melaninwhitecoats Podcast annual scholarship, which will help defray the 25,000$ unmet need for my first year at Spelman College. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

In my opinion, the most pressing global issue today is healthcare inequality. Studies have shown that black women do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that they are “tough.” [1] Unfortunately, I have witnessed this with my mother. She recently experienced symptoms typically caused by thyroid ailments. Doctor after doctor insisted that there was nothing wrong. It took her consulting with a specialist in another state – that was recommended by a doctor that she knows personally – to finally be heard. Thankfully, the specialist worked with her on a plan to live with Hashimoto disease, which is a condition where your immune system attacks your thyroid. It should not be this hard to receive proper medical care. To this end, on my medical career journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. Like the injustice experienced by mother, my medical internships have impacted my view on the inequities faced by poor people. Specifically, during my internships, I have seen medical assistants bully poor children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences, and I will make sure my staff is properly trained to treat every person with dignity and respect. Witnessing my mother and poor people receiving inadequate care has strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering in route to becoming a doctor. Additionally, after I receive my MD, I plan to create scholarships for low-income and minority, pre-med students, with hopes of increasing the number of physicians with shared life experiences as their patients and ultimately improving healthcare access for marginalized communities. [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have inspired my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! I will ensure that my staff is properly trained to treat every patient with dignity and respect. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the Ron Johnston Student Athlete scholarship. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Providing goodwill to a neighbor provides me a sense of purpose, a feeling that I have done my small part to uplift others. To this end, I have completed approximately 840 hours of community service to date. Key projects include leading a cheerleading camp as a coach and team leader. I not only serve as the captain of the Madison Academy varsity cheer team, but I have also served for four years as a Madison Academy elementary cheerleaders’ camp coach and team leader. At camp, I teach my cohort of girls how to perform cheers, dances, and stunts for six hours per day, five days a week. I have enjoyed training, mentoring, and challenging my young girls; I love their energy to learn! I believe it is important to encourage children to believe in themselves, to work hard, to work together, and to have fun while doing so. One example of my impact with the girls deals with self-esteem. Even the most modest cheer outfits can be revealing, and with many of the girls starting puberty and dealing with the resulting body changes and unrealistic beauty expectations, I had to dig deep, using my own experiences with self-hate of my appearance, to uplift and boost the confidence of a one of my girls. It was not easy, but I hope they carry the time spent with me and my encouraging words with them as they continue their cheer journey. This experience has helped me hone my leadership and communication skills. More importantly, it revealed to me the importance of using painful memories and empathy to help others. I would be honored to receive a scholarship, which would allow me to continue similar service projects while in college.

Providing goodwill to a neighbor provides me a sense of purpose, a feeling that I have done my small part to uplift others. To this end, I have completed approximately 840 hours of community service to date. Key projects include leading a cheerleading camp as a coach and team leader. I not only serve as the captain of the Madison Academy varsity cheer team, but I have also served for four years as a Madison Academy elementary cheerleaders’ camp coach and team leader. At camp, I teach my cohort of girls how to perform cheers, dances, and stunts for six hours per day, five days a week. I have enjoyed training, mentoring, and challenging my young girls; I love their energy to learn! I believe it is important to encourage children to believe in themselves, to work hard, to work together, and to have fun while doing so. One example of my impact with the girls deals with self-esteem. Even the most modest cheer outfits can be revealing, and with many of the girls starting puberty and dealing with the resulting body changes and unrealistic beauty expectations, I had to dig deep, using my own experiences with self-hate of my appearance, to uplift and boost the confidence of a one of my girls. It was not easy, but I hope they carry the time spent with me and my encouraging words with them as they continue their cheer journey. This experience has helped me hone my leadership and communication skills. More importantly, it revealed to me the importance of using painful memories and empathy to help others. I would be honored to receive a scholarship, which would allow me to continue similar service projects while in college.

I love to bake cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, you name it, but my passion is a perfectly crafted macaron. Let’s be clear, I am no Jessica Craig, but I can hold my own with a KitchenAid® stand mixer. To this end, if I were invited to give a keynote speech on a topic that I am passionate about, I would illustrate the key steps to a perfect macaron at the International Macaron Symposium — likely in a beginner, break-out session. I’ve learned that there are three key factors to perfecting the crunchy exterior, yet pillowy interior, and sweet, but not too sweet, macaron. First, measuring every ingredient perfectly is critical because if one thing is measured incorrectly the entire dish is ruined. Secondly, making sure the macarons mature is important because you want an exemplary texture, while also having the right balance of sweetness. Lastly, baking the macarons at the appropriate temperature for the exact amount of time is a must. Trust me, if you follow these three simple rules, your macarons will give any macaron from the famous Ladurée in Paris a run for its money – or at least your momma would enjoy it. While baking may seem like a trivial exercise, it is very science-based — think of it as a chemistry lab. Any wrong ingredient or proportion can result in disaster! Furthermore, the synthesis of a perfect macaron — my favorite flavor is vanilla — is a welcomed respite from the stress of homework, SATs, cheer practice, and annoying younger sisters!

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biology/pre-med by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Three key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to complete my undergraduate degree at Spelman College and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism; 2) medical internships; and 3) cancer. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. I also obtained medical certifications in Health & Safety Institute Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS). These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overall, I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable and neglected, including those needing oncology care. Cancer. It is a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. For my mom “probably,” was insufficient. The surgeon said they typically do not perform surgery on tumors that are likely benign and less than five centimeters. While the doctor persisted, my mom prevailed. I was having surgery. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, God revealed character traits that I did not know I had. I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my mental state, spirit, and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Additionally, while we disagreed with the surgeon’s treatment recommendation, I am grateful to her for hearing us and respecting our concerns – two traits I will embody when caring for my future patients. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biology/pre-med and to become a physician. Because of these experiences, Spelman College is my top choice for my undergraduate degree, and I am happy to report that I have been admitted! I want to be challenged intellectually and socially, and as the number one ranked historically black college and university (HBCU) for several years [2], Spelman fits the bill with its rigorous academic reputation and rich history of educating and molding women of color to change the world. Additionally, Spelman is the number one liberal arts college at providing black applicants for medical school. Lastly, community service is very important to me, as I have completed approximately 840 hours of service to date, so it is rewarding to know that Spelman College has a very active civic program. I would be honored and grateful to win the Jae'Sean Tate BUILT scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my key objectives of completing an undergraduate at Spelman College and preparing me for success in medical school. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain [2] https://www.spelman.edu/academics/special-academic-programs-and-offerings/health-careers

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! I will ensure that my staff is properly trained to treat every patient with dignity and respect. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the I Am Third scholarship. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing medical-focused summer programs and healthcare internships. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I didn’t let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual program provided by Auburn University. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn. Overall, these programs demonstrate my determination to succeed at becoming a physician – but not just any physician. While some students want to become a doctor for the money, for me, it is more than that, and I realized this during several internships at outpatient medical facilities. I have seen how patients are poorly treated. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences. Overall, I am determined to succeed as a physician that provides care for the most neglected in our society. I would be honored and grateful to win the scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my career goal of becoming a doctor.

I love to bake cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, you name it, but my passion is a perfectly crafted macaron. Let’s be clear, I am no Jessica Craig, but I can hold my own with a KitchenAid® stand mixer. To this end, if I were invited to give a keynote speech on a topic that I am passionate about, I would illustrate the key steps to a perfect macaron at the International Macaron Symposium, likely in a beginner, break-out session. I have learned that there are three key factors to perfecting the crunchy exterior, yet pillowy interior, and sweet, but not too sweet, macaron. First, measuring every ingredient perfectly is critical because if one thing is measured incorrectly the entire dish is ruined. Secondly, making sure the macarons mature is important because you want an exemplary texture, while also having the right balance of sweetness. Lastly, baking the macarons at the appropriate temperature for the exact amount of time is a must. Trust me, if you follow these three simple rules, your macarons will give any macaron from the famous Ladurée in Paris a run for its money – or at least your momma would enjoy it. While baking may seem like a trivial exercise, it is very science-based — think of it as a chemistry lab. Any wrong ingredient or proportion can result in disaster! Furthermore, the synthesis of a perfect macaron – my favorite flavor is vanilla – is a welcomed respite from the stress of homework, SATs, cheer practice, and annoying younger sisters!

Three key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biology or biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism; 2) medical internships; and 3) cancer. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my medical internships have impacted my view on the medical field. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overall, I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable and neglected, including those needing oncology care. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. For my mom “probably,” was insufficient. The surgeon said they typically do not perform surgery on tumors that are likely benign and less than five centimeters. While the doctor persisted, my mom prevailed. I was having surgery. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, God revealed character traits that I did not know I had. I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my mental state, spirit, and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Additionally, while we disagreed with the surgeon’s treatment recommendation, I am grateful to her for hearing us and respecting our concerns – two traits I will embody when caring for my future patients. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children receiving inadequate care; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biology or biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor that provides quality care for the poor and for people of color. Winning the Robert Lee, Sr. and Bernice Williams Memorial scholarship would be a first step on my road to success! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

I love to bake cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, you name it, but my passion is a perfectly crafted macaron. Let’s be clear, I am no Jessica Craig, but I can hold my own with a KitchenAid® stand mixer. To this end, if I were invited to give a keynote speech on a topic that I am passionate about, I would illustrate the key steps to a perfect macaron at the International Macaron Symposium, likely in a beginner, break-out session. I have learned that there are three key factors to perfecting the crunchy exterior, yet pillowy interior, and sweet, but not too sweet, macaron. First, measuring every ingredient perfectly is critical because if one thing is measured incorrectly the entire dish is ruined. Secondly, making sure the macarons mature is important because you want an exemplary texture, while also having the right balance of sweetness. Lastly, baking the macarons at the appropriate temperature for the exact amount of time is a must. Trust me, if you follow these three simple rules, your macarons will give any macaron from the famous Ladurée in Paris a run for its money – or at least your momma would enjoy it. While baking may seem like a trivial exercise, it is very science-based — think of it as a chemistry lab. Any wrong ingredient or proportion can result in disaster! Furthermore, the synthesis of a perfect macaron – my favorite flavor is vanilla – is a welcomed respite from the stress of homework, SATs, cheer practice, and annoying younger sisters!

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the Stephan L. Daniels Lift As We Climb scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my career goal of practicing medicine. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Bama born, so love biscuits and sausage! #Grits #Collards #Gumbo The oldest child, so a natural born leader and overprotected! #CollegeBringsFreedom #CheerCampCoach Kind of shy and reserved at first, but under the Friday night lights, I am screaming at the top of my lungs as the cheerleading team captain! #GoMustangs #IntrovertsRule Committed to service to all mankind #840hourstodate #Raised6k$forHBCUfundraiser #HospitalVolunteer A baker of cookies, cakes, cupcakes, but my passion is a perfectly crafted macaron #BetterthanLaduree #Vanillaisafave #Crunchyexterior #Fluffyinterior #Sweetbutnottoosweet Determined to succeed!! #Ambitious #Relentless #FutureMD #Spelman26 #HarvardMedical #Meharry Medical #3.99GPA

Three key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biology or biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism; 2) medical internships; and 3) cancer. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my medical internships have impacted my view on the medical field. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overall, I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable and neglected, including those needing oncology care. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. For my mom “probably,” was insufficient. The surgeon said they typically do not perform surgery on tumors that are likely benign and less than five centimeters. While the doctor persisted, my mom prevailed. I was having surgery. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, God revealed character traits that I did not know I had. I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my mental state, spirit, and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Additionally, while we disagreed with the surgeon’s treatment recommendation, I am grateful to her for hearing us and respecting our concerns – two traits I will embody when caring for my future patients. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children receiving inadequate care; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biology or biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor. Winning the Eleven scholarship would be a first step on my road to success! [1]https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the Tanya C. Harper Memorial SAR scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my career goal of practicing medicine. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Three key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biology or biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism; 2) medical internships; and 3) cancer. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my medical internships have impacted my view on the medical field. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overall, I am determined to succeed at becoming a physician that provides quality care to the most vulnerable and neglected, including those needing oncology care. Cancer. It’s a scary word. In the fall of 2019, while lounging and watching television, I felt soreness in my chest. Initially, I did not think anything of it; however, later that day I examined my breasts and knew what I touched was not normal. My doctor said that they were “probably” fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors. For my mom “probably,” was insufficient. The surgeon said they typically do not perform surgery on tumors that are likely benign and less than five centimeters. While the doctor persisted, my mom prevailed. I was having surgery. Fortunately, the three tumors that were removed were benign; however, they were attached, making them inches long! This size tumor could have caused problems in the normal growth of my chest. In this experience, God revealed character traits that I did not know I had. I learned that I am strong. I am resilient. My grades did not suffer; I achieved a 94 average for the semester. I still cheered the football team on as a varsity cheerleader, and more importantly, my mental state, spirit, and resolve, while tested, emerged more indomitable than ever. Additionally, while we disagreed with the surgeon’s treatment recommendation, I am grateful to her for hearing us and respecting our concerns – two traits I will embody when caring for my future patients. Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children receiving inadequate care; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biology or biomedical engineering, which will prepare me for medical school and contribute to my longstanding goal of becoming a doctor. Winning the Theresa Lord Future Leader scholarship would be a first step on my road to success! [1]https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the Black Students in STEM scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my career goal of practicing medicine. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities, especially the poor and people of color. To achieve this goal, my key objectives include completing healthcare internships and summer programs throughout high school and college; completing a degree in biomedical engineering by 2026; and graduating from medical school in 2030. Two key life experiences that have shaped my world view and influenced my ambition to become a physician include: 1) racism/colorism and 2) medical internships and summer programs. I am a black woman with a sun-kissed complexion of dazzling, dark bronze; however, as a kid, I did not cherish my hue. At the time, I fell victim to the Eurocentric standard of beauty. As I matured and studied the rich history and beauty of black women, I now realize that brown skin is a gift to be cherished. This self-realization is not limited to ideals of beauty. For example, studies have shown that black women, of any shade, do not receive proper medical care because of the bias that black women are “tough.”[1] On my medical journey, my goal is to care for the mental and physical well-being of all women, with a personal understanding of unique challenges faced by black women. In addition to racism and colorism, my summer programs and internships have impacted my view on the medical field. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in learning more about surgery, neuroscience, and pediatric oncology. To help narrow my focus and to have a better understanding of the various fields of medicine, I have completed multiple summer programs. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University where I attended medical classes; participated in seminars on neurosurgery; and completed hands-on medical procedures, including suturing. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s summer medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I did not let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual medical camp provided by Auburn University where I attended medical-focused classes and seminars led by doctors. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn where I attended medical classes; networked with nurses and doctors to understand their experiences; and completed basic, hands-on medical techniques. These summer programs are significant because they provided opportunities to learn more about medical careers, more about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses, and more about medical school. In addition to my summer medical programs, my medical internships, past and current, have been an eye opener. Unfortunately, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences! Overcoming self-doubt triggered by racism and colorism; witnessing children and poor people receiving inadequate care; completing several medical summer programs and internships; and overcoming a personal healthcare scare have strengthened my desire to major in biomedical engineering and to become a physician. I would be honored and grateful to win the Connie Konatsotis scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my career goal of practicing medicine. Thank you for your consideration! [1] https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

My career goal is to practice medicine, with a focus on providing quality care for marginalized communities. To achieve this goal, key objectives include completing medical-focused summer programs and healthcare internships. While I have not narrowed my career goal to a specific field of medicine, I am currently interested in surgery, neuroscience, and oncology. To help narrow my focus, I have completed multiple summer programs and internships. Specifically, every summer in high-school, I completed a medical program. Despite being a bit shy, in 2019 I attended a two-week, on-campus program at Vanderbilt University. Because I thrived at Vanderbilt, in 2020 I applied for and was accepted into Georgetown’s medical program; unfortunately, the format was changed to virtual because of Covid, but it was far too expensive for a virtual format! I didn’t let Covid win, so I attended a less expensive, virtual program provided by Auburn University. Finally, in 2021 I completed an on-campus program focused on emergency medicine at Auburn. Overall, these programs demonstrate my determination to succeed at becoming a physician – but not just any physician. While some students want to become a doctor for the money, for me, it is more than that, and I realized this during several internships at outpatient medical facilities. I have seen how patients are poorly treated. Specifically, I have seen medical assistants bully children for having uncontrollable, medical issues. I have witnessed nurses violating The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and being unsanitary. I will be better than these experiences. Overall, I am determined to succeed as a physician that provides care for the most neglected in our society. I would be honored and grateful to win the scholarship, which will go a long way in supporting my career goal of becoming a doctor.