By age four, I had a 100% recovery rate and was one of the best doctors in the field of stuffed animal care, second only to Doc McStuffins. Even then, I was captivated by how the human body worked and how science could be used to heal it. That curiosity grew into a love for biology and chemistry because, in my opinion, they best explain how life functions and how medicine transforms theory into care. As someone who was often sick as a child, I spent a lot of time around doctors and became fascinated by their ability to diagnose and treat illness. My first inspiration came from Doc McStuffins, who made medicine feel approachable and empowering as a young black girl. My second source of inspiration came from my pediatrician, whose kindness and precision inspired me to pursue medicine myself. Over the years, I refined that dream into the aspiration to become a pediatric surgeon. When I first shared this goal, some people (including my family and friends) were doubtful and even unsure what a pediatric surgeon was. This caused my own self-doubt. Instead of discouraging me, it pushed me to learn more about the field and the science behind it. I became more intentional about understanding how the body functions at both a biological and chemical level, which strengthened my commitment to pursuing medicine. My passion for biology and chemistry deepened at sixteen when I attended a biotechnology camp. I cultured bacteria, learned about lab systems, and conducted experiments to observe how bacteria spread. For the first time, I saw how biological and chemical principles could explain everyday phenomena and save lives. I realized that medicine is not only about treating patients, but also about understanding the science that keeps them alive. My passion for biology and chemistry has also been strengthened through my experience as a nurse aide. Before working with patients, I was fascinated by how the body functions and how science can be used to treat disease. Caring for patients showed me the human side of that science. I saw how biology and chemistry influence every aspect of healthcare, from understanding a diagnosis to determining the most effective treatment, but I also learned that healthcare extends beyond what happens in a textbook or laboratory. As I interacted with patients and their families, I became increasingly interested in how systems of care evolve to meet people's needs and why they sometimes fail the very individuals they are designed to serve. Those experiences deepened my curiosity, gave greater meaning to the science I study, and reinforced my desire to become a pediatric surgeon who combines scientific knowledge with compassionate, patient-centered care. Biology allows me to explore how systems in the body interact, adapt, and sometimes fail, while chemistry helps me understand why those processes happen. Together, they provide a complete picture of how treatments work, from diagnosing illness to developing and administering effective care. This connection is what draws me to both fields and reinforces my desire to pursue a career in medicine. That same passion has extended beyond my own goals and into my community. I noticed that many of my younger peers were either discouraged like I was, or didn’t see a future for themselves as they believed they had no purpose other than to marry rich. As a co-founder of my school’s Women in STEM club, my friends and I worked to encourage our peers to see possible futures for themselves in STEM fields, including biology and chemistry. Through outreach and mentorship, we helped create spaces where they could explore their interests and recognize their potential. I want to continue inspiring other young women to pursue STEM, just as I was inspired, so that more voices and perspectives are represented in science, technology, engineering, math, and also medicine. Through studying biology and chemistry, I hope to build the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. What began as childhood curiosity has grown into a clear sense of purpose. I want to move beyond understanding the human body to actively improving and saving lives, while also empowering others to see that they can do the same.

My name is Layla Duhaney, and I am a proud Jamaican who has lived in the United States since 2022. I was raised with the mindset, “likkle but wi tallawah” (we are small, but mighty), a saying that reflects the resilience and determination that are deeply rooted in Jamaican culture. I immigrated to the United States with my parents and younger brother in search of greater opportunities, particularly educational and economic opportunities that would allow us to build a better future. Growing up in Jamaica taught me the importance of community and culture. Some of my favorite hobbies are baking, sharing Jamaican folk stories with my brother, and learning the history behind the things I enjoy. These interests have helped me stay connected to my heritage and the African roots that continue to influence Jamaican culture today. As I have gotten older, I have become increasingly interested in my connection with African-descended communities across the world, especially since it was briefly brushed over in history classes back home. Living in the United States has taught me many lessons about myself and the world around me. While moving here created new opportunities, it also came with challenges. Adjusting to a different educational system, navigating life as an immigrant, and being far away from many of the people and places that felt familiar was difficult. There were moments when I questioned whether I truly belonged. However, those experiences taught me how adaptable and resilient I am. They also taught me the importance of understanding people whose experiences differ from my own. One of the most meaningful lessons I have learned is how much culture influences the way people view healthcare. Through my educational experiences and interactions with patients, I began to notice that healthcare is not only about treating illness. People's cultural backgrounds and experiences often influence whether they trust healthcare professionals or feel represented within the healthcare system. I also learned that many communities within the African diaspora continue to experience disparities in healthcare outcomes. These observations sparked my interest in anthropology and helped me realize that understanding people is just as important as understanding science. This fall, I will attend Howard University to study Biology with the goal of becoming a pediatric surgeon. I hope to combine my medical education with the study of anthropology so that I can better understand the cultural factors that affect healthcare decisions and outcomes. Many of the physicians who inspired me throughout my life demonstrated not only medical expertise but also compassion and cultural understanding. I hope to follow their example and become a doctor who can advocate for children and families from diverse backgrounds while helping improve healthcare outcomes in underserved communities. My family's move to the United States created opportunities that would not have been available to us otherwise, but higher education remains financially challenging. Despite applying for scholarships, my immigration status as a H-visa dependent makes me ineligible for many forms of financial aid and scholarship assistance. Receiving the Rose Ifebigh Scholarship would help reduce the financial burden on my family and allow me to focus on my education and future career goals. More importantly, it would help me continue working toward a future where I can give back to my community and serve others through culturally competent and compassionate healthcare. Over the past four years, I have learned that resilience, curiosity, and cultural pride are some of my greatest strengths. These lessons have shaped the person I am today and will continue to guide me as I pursue a career dedicated to serving others.

Growing up in Jamaica, I was surrounded by a culture of female empowerment. It was woven into the fabric of everyday life. From Chief Executive Officers, to Prime Ministers, to autobiographies, it was not unusual to see a female leader who I could emulate. Even in my family, the women frequently took charge. My grandmothers were the breadwinners and my mother made most household decisions. After moving to the US, I noticed that successful women were perceived very differently from those in Jamaica. Moving here in 2022, meant that “Alpha Males” had already permeated mainstream discourse. I was shocked to learn that some men found the idea of a smart, accomplished woman to be distasteful. Despite this, the true culture shock was the attitude of my peers. While some of the young women at my school aspired to be successful, powerful, and financially independent women, many others found these goals to be laughable, even implausible. They encouraged me to marry rich, instead of striving for ambitious career goals. Many of the young men teased and belittled me for my aspirations. The idea of women in power was bewildering to my peers. The idea of gender diversity at the highest levels of the workforce was a seemingly foreign concept. This realization impelled me to co-found a Women in STEM club within my Early College Program, to counteract stereotypes and inspire young women in my community to believe in themselves. At many of the events the club hosted, people often came up to us and expressed their shock at how much women, especially black women, had accomplished in the field of STEM. I learned that there is a necessity for the diverse experiences of women in male dominated fields to be heard and valued. Not just this, but that many young women need strong role models to look up to, not just "tradwives". In the United States, becoming a woman in a position of power is considered aspirational. In Jamaica, they are woven into the social fabric of the nation. I want to let the young women of my generation know that leadership, excellence, and power aren't only “possibilities”, they are completely attainable realities. I don't just “believe” it's possible, because I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.

I know two things to be absolutely true in my life: I lead with compassion, and I love superheroes, specifically the X-Men. Throughout my teenage years, the X-Men taught me that even people who feel helpless have the ability to make a difference. Watching them face prejudice while continuing to help others showed me that I can not only support those around me, but also lead and be the change I want to see, even when situations feel hopeless. One of the first times I felt the urge to step up was after hearing classmates and younger girls say they just wanted to marry rich because they did not see much of a future for women beyond that. In response, I co-founded the Women in STEM club at my school to inspire younger girls to value their education and learn about notable women pioneers in STEM. Through this club, I led outreach meetings at neighboring middle schools to show young women that we do, in fact, have bright futures. When Hurricane Helene devastated nearby communities in North Carolina, I felt that same responsibility to act. I organized and led a fundraiser at my school and collaborated with other high schools to provide care packages and necessities to those affected. These experiences reinforced my belief that leadership means stepping in when others need support most. The X-Men focus on acceptance, standing up for those who often cannot do so themselves in a world that highlights their differences. As a future pediatric surgeon pursuing a BS degree in Biology, I strive to lead in the same way—through empathy, action, and a commitment to recognizing the value in every person. My time in a transcultural healthcare course further shaped this perspective. I became aware of misconceptions about my own culture and others, and I saw these biases reflected in the treatment of patients during clinical training. These experiences solidified my goal to improve cultural competence in healthcare so that patients feel respected and understood. If there is one thing the X-Men taught me, it is that everyone deserves to feel valued. If I were given the opportunity to start my own charity, I would create the Mutual Minds Initiative, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between caregivers and the communities they serve. It would support healthcare workers, individuals in care facilities such as nursing homes, and high school students exploring their futures. Through proper training, the MMI would empower volunteers to become superheroes in their own communities by supporting understaffed care facilities. We would assist with non-clinical tasks, spend time with patients, and foster meaningful human connection. This would ease the burden on healthcare workers while also creating opportunities for cultural exchange, ultimately strengthening cultural competence and ensuring that both patients and future healthcare professionals feel seen and respected. Just as the X-Men fight for a world that fears and misunderstands them, I want to lead with that same purpose, creating spaces where differences are not just accepted, but valued. Through empathy and action, I hope to inspire others to recognize their ability to make a difference and to become leaders who ensure no one feels invisible.