The sounds of sirens swirled through my head while I lay asleep in my bed. As my eyes jolted open and my consciousness returned, I realized the sounds weren’t a figment of my imagination but the certainty of my present. Out my window, a fire truck zoomed down my street. My mother rushed into my room, saying, “I need you to get dressed and sit at the top of the stairs.” At 5:37 am my sister had her first of three seizures, which ultimately resulted in a diagnosis of epilepsy. How could things change so drastically overnight, I wondered? What happened within her brain to cause this? I decided I needed to answer these questions myself. I had always been interested in science, but this experience sparked my curiosity about the brain and neuroscience. I am fascinated by the brain, how it controls everything from our most basic movements to our highest thoughts. I’ve always felt drawn to understanding its complexities, and that’s what drives me to become a neurosurgeon. There’s still so much we don’t know about the brain, and I want to be part of discovering new breakthroughs and saving those who seem unsavable. My professional aspiration is to be a neurosurgeon. But my dreams go beyond the operating room. I also want to address the disparities that exist in the medical field. As a future doctor, I want to create a space where patients feel heard, empowered, and supported—where their concerns are taken seriously and they feel confident making decisions about their own care. I know that gaining the skills to do this starts with getting a strong education. While I am drawn to a career in medicine, the constant learning, the challenge of diagnosis, what speaks to me most is the opportunity to be a compassionate advocate for those who need it most. Through personal experiences, I learned that being a doctor is not just about knowledge; it’s about listening, paying attention, and advocating for the patient. I’ve seen first-hand in my own family, where loved ones have delayed or avoided medical visits due to a lack of trust in the system. Becoming a doctor is not only a personal goal but a chance to inspire others, break barriers, and create meaningful change in my community’s healthcare. Being awarded the Tanya C. Harper memorial scholarship will help me pursue the education I need to create meaningful change in the healthcare system, particularly for marginalized communities. It will enable me to focus my studies on issues related to healthcare policy, public health, and social justice, areas that are essential for addressing health disparities. Through this education, I will gain the knowledge and skills to advocate for systemic reforms that improve access to care, ensure culturally competent services, and challenge the biases that disproportionately impact African Americans and women. With financial support, I can work toward a future where healthcare is equitable, compassionate, and accessible to all.