On July 18, 2013, my grandmother passed away in my house. She died from breast cancer. My grandmother had a deep distrust of doctors that was rooted in previous bad experiences. Her scenario is not unique, and there is a significant level of mistrust between minorities and the healthcare system. At eight years old, I knew I wanted to become a physician to help people. Now that I am old enough to understand what occurred with my grandmother, I desire to be a physician who improves healthcare access and outcomes in minority communities. Cancer research is a vital component of my future professional goals. As a high school student, I am enrolled in the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science program. Not only does this program train students to become biomedical assistants, but it also exposes students to different types of medical specialties such as pathology, hematology, dermatology, and neurology, just to name a few. Many of the class assignments involved different medical scenarios in which we assumed the role of different types of medical doctors. In one scenario, the victim was found dead from unknown causes, and the class was instructed to determine her cause of death. This involved analyzing the crime scene and simulating the procedures of a real-life autopsy. In addition to my classroom experiences, I also volunteered in a medical doctor's office. My time as a volunteer allowed me to see how the staff worked in the front office. I also assisted with the sterilization of equipment for procedures performed in the office. As the daughter of an OBGYN physician, I was exposed to the field of medicine for my entire life. I am well aware of the challenges and rewards that physicians encounter throughout their careers. I have witnessed my mother work long hours but also express pure joy after helping a mom bring new life into the world. All of the above events and experiences confirmed my desire to become a doctor. I am very interested in the practice of medicine but also the social side of medicine. By the “social side,” I am speaking about the barriers to care, particularly for minority communities. Sociology in the curriculum will provide me with a firm and diverse educational foundation as a future medical doctor. I am excited to look for ways to connect my passion for medicine with the study of race and ethnicity. As a young black woman, I am very familiar with disparities in healthcare. I witnessed my grandmother put off seeking care due to her fear and mistrust of the healthcare system. My PLTW Biomedical Science program exposed students to several cases that revolved around ethical and social issues in medicine. One of the cases we discussed was Henrietta Lacks. Reviewing this case reinforced the importance of always making the best medical, ethical, and social choices for patients. Using the knowledge I acquire from my undergraduate studies, I will advocate for the best possible medical treatment available. As a physician, it is essential to hold other physicians accountable to this same standard. Many studies have demonstrated that people of color are more likely to trust the medical doctors they identify with. For this reason, I will make a positive impact as I advocate for the removal of barriers that limit access to appropriate health care in the minority community. A possible opportunity to improve access to minority communities would consist of removing geographic barriers. When I become a physician, I will strive to work in underserved communities that need my help the most.

On July 18, 2013, my grandmother passed away in my house. She died from breast cancer. My grandmother had a deep distrust of doctors that was rooted in previous bad experiences. Her scenario is not unique, and there is a significant level of mistrust between minorities and the healthcare system. At eight years old, I knew I wanted to become a physician to help people. Now that I am old enough to understand what occurred with my grandmother, I desire to be a physician who improves healthcare access and outcomes in minority communities. Cancer research is a vital component of my future professional goals. As a high school student, I am enrolled in the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science program. Not only does this program train students to become biomedical assistants, but it also exposes students to different types of medical specialties such as pathology, hematology, dermatology, and neurology, just to name a few. Many of the class assignments involved different medical scenarios in which we assumed the role of different types of medical doctors. In one scenario, the victim was found dead from unknown causes, and the class was instructed to determine her cause of death. This involved analyzing the crime scene and simulating the procedures of a real-life autopsy. This included collecting tissue samples, weighing and examining organs, and interpreting test results. In addition to my classroom experiences, I also volunteered in a medical doctor's office. My time as a volunteer allowed me to see how the staff worked in the front office. I also assisted with the sterilization of equipment for procedures performed in the office. As the daughter of an OBGYN physician, I was exposed to the field of medicine for my entire life. I am well aware of the challenges and rewards that physicians encounter throughout their careers. I have witnessed my mother work long hours but also express pure joy after helping a mom bring new life into the world. All of the above events and experiences confirmed my desire to become a doctor. I am very interested in the practice of medicine but also the social side of medicine. By the “social side,” I am speaking about the barriers to care, particularly for minority communities. Sociology in the curriculum will provide me with a firm and diverse educational foundation as a future medical doctor. I am excited to look for ways to connect my passion for medicine with the study of race and ethnicity. As a young black woman, I am very familiar with disparities in healthcare. I witnessed my grandmother put off seeking care due to her fear and mistrust of the healthcare system. My PLTW Biomedical Science program exposed students to several cases that revolved around ethical and social issues in medicine. One of the cases we discussed was Henrietta Lacks. Reviewing this case reinforced the importance of always making the best medical, ethical, and social choices for patients. Using the knowledge I acquire from my interdisciplinary studies at Brown, I will advocate for the best possible medical treatment available. As a physician, it is essential to hold other physicians accountable to this same standard. Many studies have demonstrated that people of color are more likely to trust the medical doctors they identify with. For this reason, I will make a positive impact as I advocate for the removal of barriers that limit access to appropriate health care in the minority community. When I become a physician, I will strive to work in underserved communities that need my help the most.