My name is Lauren Black, and I am a fourth-year pre-health student majoring in Human Development in Context at Northwestern University. However, my role extends beyond that of a student, as I have embraced the calling of an advocate and a reformer in the face of some of the most pressing issues today. I am the proud founder of "Sisters in the Wilderness," a startup nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of survivors of sex trafficking, which showcases my commitment to fight for those marginalized and oppressed in our society. As I consider my next steps, I am applying for this scholarship with the intention that it will propel me to reach my ultimate goal of obtaining an MD/Ph.D. I believe this pathway will enable me to fuse my love for medical sciences with my fervor for contributing to society and, thus, revolutionizing public health in my own capacity. My primary interest in medicine is general surgery, and I strongly desire to serve in community health clinics. I am fascinated by the ability to diagnose, treat, and ultimately change a patient's life trajectory through direct intervention. The complexity, the challenge, and the immediate impact of surgical procedures inspire me and match my dynamic and meticulous nature. However, not just the technical aspects of surgery attract me. Equally important is the underlying ethos of service and care, the unique doctor-patient relationship that forms in the operating theater, which serves as a constant reminder of the profound responsibility and privilege it is to hold someone's life in your hands. In addition to my fascination with surgery, I hold a strong desire to serve in community health clinics. I am firmly rooted in the belief that quality healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Unfortunately, this ideal is far from reality for many, particularly for those residing in underserved areas. Community health clinics often serve as the lifeline for these marginalized groups, offering an access point to essential healthcare services. Thus, I am committed to investing my expertise and effort in these clinics to help bridge the healthcare disparities present in our society. Throughout my journey with "Sisters in the Wilderness," I have witnessed first-hand the multi-dimensional impact of health issues on marginalized communities. The challenges are overwhelming from physical ailments to mental health struggles and from lack of awareness to stigma. These experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of addressing health concerns at a community level. By serving in community health clinics, I aspire to practice medicine rooted in empathy, inclusivity, and respect. I aim to empower my patients with the knowledge and advocate for their health and well-being. Furthermore, I want to extend my service beyond the boundaries of clinics. I intend to actively participate in public health campaigns and preventive health programs to address the root causes of health disparities, promote health education, and foster a culture of wellness. This scholarship would not only be a financial support towards my further education but also a vital catalyst for my mission. My goal is not merely to be a healthcare provider but a health advocate, working tirelessly to make healthcare accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all. Through the intertwined paths of general surgery and community health service, I aim to bring positive and meaningful change to individuals and communities alike.

My name is Lauren Black, I am a fourth year pre-health student and the founder of Sisters in the Wilderness, a startup nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating survivors of sex trafficking. As a Human Development in Context major at Northwestern graduating in the Spring of 2023, I am applying to this scholarship in the hopes that it will allow me to fund my further education and support my goals of obtaining my MD/PhD. Having studied topics such as Bioethics, Education in the Global Economy, and Global Human Trafficking, I strive to develop modern implementations to public health that aim to advocate for disadvantaged and under-represented communities through social health, education, and virtue ethics. My skills and myriad of experiences will allow me to hit the ground running in public health research and social science education. While starting my undergraduate education through pre-medicine, I found myself gravitating towards the humanitarian side of healthcare and social sciences. This interest pushed me to venture into working at non-profit organizations, where I established a true passion for bioethics and law. For example, my time at the Salt and Light Coalition consisted of educating sex trafficking victims. My role re-inspired women that suffered from serious traumatic events; this process ended with a 100% student retention rate. Conversing with these people opened my eyes to public health support through bioethical concerns of autonomy and justice. My involvement at Salt and Light made light of the deficiency in women’s healthcare and public policy; this gap strived me to explore the role of public advocacy in healthcare, where my public speaking prowess can serve as a voice for under-represented communities. My work at a recovery center for victims of sex trafficking has made the global health issue of human trafficking one of the issues I am most passionate about. According to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. Being from Baltimore, a city with a severe human trafficking problem, this reality is something that I encounter almost every single day. While the number of women and girls trafficked annually continues to rise, the number of successful prosecutions and liberated persons is stagnant. A report from the Global Enforcement Data 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report shows that roughly 9,000 individuals were prosecuted for trafficking offenses in 2013, and 10,000 were prosecuted in 2014. However, in both years, only 4,000 were ever brought to justice. These numbers are unacceptable in the face of upwards of 50,000 women who were identified as victims. Human trafficking has had negative effects on women and girls all over the globe.

My name is Lauren Black, I am a fourth year pre-health student and the founder of Sisters in the Wilderness, a startup nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating survivors of sex trafficking. As a Human Development in Context major at Northwestern graduating in the Spring of 2023, I am applying to this scholarship in the hopes that it will allow me to fund my further education and support my goals of obtaining my MD/PhD. Having studied topics such as Bioethics, Education in the Global Economy, and Global Human Trafficking, I strive to develop modern implementations to public health that aim to advocate for disadvantaged and under-represented communities through social health, education, and virtue ethics. My skills and myriad of experiences will allow me to hit the ground running in public health research and social science education. While starting my undergraduate education through pre-medicine, I found myself gravitating towards the humanitarian side of healthcare and social sciences. This interest pushed me to venture into working at non-profit organizations, where I established a true passion for bioethics and law. For example, my time at the Salt and Light Coalition consisted of educating sex trafficking victims. My role re-inspired women that suffered from serious traumatic events; this process ended with a 100% student retention rate. Conversing with these people opened my eyes to public health support through bioethical concerns of autonomy and justice. My involvement at Salt and Light made light of the deficiency in women’s healthcare and public policy; this gap strived me to explore the role of public advocacy in healthcare, where my public speaking prowess can serve as a voice for under-represented communities. My work at a recovery center for victims of sex trafficking has made the global health issue of human trafficking one of the issues I am most passionate about. According to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. Being from Baltimore, a city with a severe human trafficking problem, this reality is something that I encounter almost every single day. While the number of women and girls trafficked annually continues to rise, the number of successful prosecutions and liberated persons is stagnant. A report from the Global Enforcement Data 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report shows that roughly 9,000 individuals were prosecuted for trafficking offenses in 2013, and 10,000 were prosecuted in 2014. However, in both years, only 4,000 were ever brought to justice. These numbers are unacceptable in the face of upwards of 50,000 women who were identified as victims. Human trafficking has had negative effects on women and girls all over the globe.

My name is Lauren Black, I am a fourth year pre-health student and the founder of Sisters in the Wilderness, a startup nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating survivors of sex trafficking. As a Human Development in Context major at Northwestern graduating in the Spring of 2023, I am applying to this scholarship in the hopes that it will allow me to fund my further education and support my goals of obtaining my MD/PhD. Having studied topics such as Bioethics, Education in the Global Economy, and Global Human Trafficking, I strive to develop modern implementations to public health that aim to advocate for disadvantaged and under-represented communities through social health, education, and virtue ethics. My skills and myriad of experiences will allow me to hit the ground running in public health research and social science education. My foundations in developmental psychology and social science blend well with my future aspiration to become a surgeon. While starting my undergraduate education through pre-medicine, I found myself gravitating towards the humanitarian side of healthcare and social sciences. This interest pushed me to venture into working at non-profit organizations, where I established a true passion for bioethics. For example, my time at the Salt and Light Coalition consisted of educating sex trafficking victims. My role re-inspired women that suffered from serious traumatic events; this process ended with a 100% student retention rate. Conversing with these people opened my eyes to public health support through bioethical concerns of autonomy and justice. My involvement at Salt and Light made light of the deficiency in women’s healthcare and public policy; this gap strived me to explore the role of public advocacy in healthcare, where my public speaking prowess can serve as a voice for under-represented communities. My experiences here led me to an internship at Indivisible Evanston, where I led recruitment and hosted political events by using training modules, initiation programs, and strategic direction. Through my tenacity and compassionate ethic, client outreach improved overall, with the total number of on-campus student members increasing from seven to fifty-two. My efforts at Indivisible pushed me to explore deeper concepts in social sciences. I believe this scholarship will make a difference in my pursuit of higher education because it will mitigate some of the rising college costs I face. Because of my financial situation, I have been overextended between work and school. I cannot put my best foot forward academically, and I worry that my goals are slipping out of my reach.

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