Singh Family - I am very sorry for your loss. I can tell how much love you have for Christina, and having a scholarship in her honor is a really lovely tribute to her legacy. Warmly, Lauren Head Essay: My path into healthcare has been shaped by both professional experience and a growing awareness of the gaps in how we support people’s health, especially in underserved communities. I earned my master’s degree in nutrition in 2016 and have since worked in public health, community health centers, and health education programs, where I saw firsthand how deeply food access, education, culture, and environment influence health outcomes. Working with low-income and marginalized populations helped me understand that nutrition recommendations are only meaningful if they are realistic, accessible, and culturally appropriate. Those experiences ultimately led me to pursue becoming a Registered Dietitian so I can work more directly with patients in clinical and community settings. I am currently completing my Didactic Program in Dietetics and preparing to begin my dietetic internship at Oregon Health & Science University. My long-term goal is to work in a healthcare system that emphasizes prevention and uses a “food as medicine” approach, while also recognizing the very real barriers patients face. I strongly believe that nutrition education should empower people rather than shame them, and that building trust and long-term relationships is an essential part of improving health outcomes. I hope to work with patients in a way that feels collaborative, compassionate, and practical for their everyday lives. I am especially dedicated to serving Spanish-speaking communities, where language and cultural barriers can significantly impact the quality of care people receive. Although I am not a native Spanish speaker, I have worked hard to become fluent because I wanted to better support the Latino community in a more meaningful way. Some of the most rewarding experiences I have had were teaching Spanish-speaking cooking classes that focused on affordable, healthy meals using ingredients commonly found in food bank boxes. Through those classes, I saw how powerful culturally responsive education can be and how important it is for people to feel seen, understood, and respected within healthcare spaces. Those experiences also helped inspire the development of a Spanish-speaking diabetes support group in my community to provide additional education and support. Looking ahead, I am especially interested in oncology nutrition and cardiac rehabilitation, where nutrition can play a major role in both treatment outcomes and quality of life. I am also passionate about prevention-focused care and the role nutrition can have in reducing chronic disease risk before serious complications develop. Having grown up in an agricultural community with significant health disparities, I have seen how urgently communities need healthcare providers who understand both the science of nutrition and the realities patients face in their daily lives. Christina’s story is a reminder of how meaningful a career in healthcare can be, even when it is cut short. While my path differs from occupational therapy, I share the same commitment to improving quality of life through compassionate, patient-centered care. OHSU is an expensive program, and my 9-month internship is unpaid, which creates significant financial strain while completing my training. This scholarship would help support me during this important stage of my education and allow me to continue working toward becoming a provider who not only educates patients, but truly connects with, advocates for, and supports the communities I serve.

Before I begin my essay, I want to express my sincere condolences for the loss of Amber, who was clearly a deeply loved daughter. Stories like Amber’s highlight something that comes up far too often in healthcare. Many people don’t learn how powerful nutrition can be until they are already in the middle of a serious illness. By that point, families are overwhelmed, searching for answers, and trying to do the best they can with limited guidance. That knowledge gap is not just unfortunate, it is preventable, and it is what motivates the work I hope to do as a future Registered Dietitian. During my time working as a health educator at a low-income community health center, I saw firsthand how many patients fell through the cracks of our current healthcare system. Many were managing multiple chronic conditions, yet had never received meaningful nutrition guidance or support. Often, they did not lack motivation; they lacked access, time, and clear, culturally relevant education. Watching patients come in at later stages of disease, when interventions felt more limited, deeply impacted me. It strengthened my motivation to pursue a degree in dietetics so I can reach people sooner, before conditions progress, and help them build the health literacy and confidence needed to take an active role in their care. I am especially interested in working in prevention-focused care and also plan to complete an oncology rotation during my dietetic internship. Nutrition plays a critical role not only in reducing the risk of chronic disease, but also in supporting the body during treatment and recovery. In cancer care, nutrition is not just about nutrients; it is about maintaining strength, managing symptoms, and preserving quality of life during an incredibly difficult time. I want to be someone who can help patients and their families navigate that experience with clear, compassionate, and evidence-based guidance. I am also deeply committed to working with underserved communities, where access to nutrition care and education is often limited. These populations experience higher rates of chronic disease, yet are less likely to receive support that is culturally relevant or practical within their daily lives. As someone who is bilingual in Spanish and has experience in community health settings, I have seen how important it is to meet people where they are. I hope to provide education that respects cultural food traditions while offering realistic, sustainable strategies My approach to nutrition education will always be grounded in both evidence and empathy. I want to translate research into simple, meaningful actions, creating small shifts that can have a significant impact over time. In addition to individual counseling, I plan to incorporate experiential learning opportunities such as cooking classes, gardening programs, and stress-reduction practices like yoga and mindful eating, many of which I have facilitated in the past. I have seen the impact hands-on approaches can have on patients and families, helping them build practical skills, strengthen their confidence, and create meaningful, lasting changes in their daily lives. Ultimately, I hope to help ensure that fewer families are left searching for answers too late, and that more individuals have access to the knowledge, support, and care that can truly make a difference in both the quality and quantity of their lives. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Lauren Head (future RDN)