I am a person deeply committed to service, community, and advocacy, values that have shaped both my personal and academic life. I am passionate about healthcare, mental health awareness, and supporting those who face challenges that are often unseen or overlooked. I strive to approach every opportunity with empathy, dedication, and a willingness to listen, believing that even small acts of service can create meaningful change. One experience that stands out in my journey of community impact was my involvement with Alpha Chi Omega, particularly through its commitment to raising awareness about domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed, and I wanted to contribute to the organization’s mission of education and prevention. As part of our chapter’s awareness campaign, I helped organize workshops and community events that provided information on recognizing signs of abuse, accessing support resources, and fostering safe spaces for discussion. During one event, I worked directly with local survivors and community members to share stories, resources, and guidance. I remember a participant approaching me afterward, expressing that the information shared had helped them recognize unhealthy patterns in a friend’s relationship and inspired them to intervene safely. That moment reinforced for me the tangible impact that advocacy and education can have, and it was deeply rewarding to see how awareness could empower individuals to take action and support one another. Through this experience, I not only learned how to organize and lead community initiatives, but I also gained a deeper understanding of empathy and the power of listening without judgment. Alpha Chi Omega’s values of service, personal integrity, and support for survivors guided my approach, emphasizing that true leadership comes from uplifting others and creating opportunities for positive change. This experience strengthened my desire to serve others in both my personal life and my future career, particularly in healthcare, where advocacy, education, and compassion are essential to helping individuals navigate challenges and improve their well-being. Overall, my work with Alpha Chi Omega taught me that service is not just about completing tasks, it is about building connections, empowering others, and creating lasting impact. I strive to carry this mindset into every community I am a part of, whether through formal volunteer work, mentorship, or everyday acts of support. By combining advocacy, education, and personal commitment, I aim to continue making a positive difference in the lives of those around me along with my community.

My experiences with mental health have profoundly shaped my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. They have taught me the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and resilience, and have influenced the way I view both myself and others. Through navigating mental health challenges, whether personally or through supporting those close to me, I have developed a deeper understanding of how mental well-being is inseparable from physical health and overall quality of life. One of the most significant ways mental health has influenced my beliefs is by challenging the stigma often associated with it. I have come to understand that mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness, but a natural part of the human experience. This realization has strengthened my belief in compassionate, judgment-free care and the importance of open conversations. I now value vulnerability as a strength and believe that seeking help is an act of courage. These beliefs guide how I approach difficult situations, encouraging patience, understanding, and respect for individual experiences. My relationships have also been deeply shaped by my understanding of mental health. I have learned to listen more actively and to be present without trying to immediately “fix” problems. Mental health experiences have shown me how important it is to acknowledge emotions and validate feelings, even when solutions are not immediately clear. As a result, I strive to be more empathetic and supportive in my relationships, recognizing that everyone carries unseen struggles. This perspective has helped me build stronger, more meaningful connections based on trust, communication, and mutual support. Perhaps most importantly, my experiences with mental health have influenced my career aspirations. They have inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare where I can contribute to holistic, patient-centered care. I am particularly motivated to work in environments where mental health is treated with the same seriousness and compassion as physical health. I have seen how mental well-being can impact treatment outcomes, adherence to care plans, and overall recovery. This understanding drives my desire to be a healthcare professional who considers both the emotional and physical needs of patients. Additionally, mental health experiences have strengthened my interest in advocacy and education. I hope to be part of efforts that normalize mental health discussions and improve access to resources, especially for individuals who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. By fostering supportive environments and encouraging early intervention, I believe healthcare professionals can play a critical role in reducing stigma and improving long-term outcomes. Overall, my experiences with mental health have shaped me into a more compassionate, resilient, and motivated individual. They have reinforced my belief in the power of empathy and the importance of addressing the whole person in healthcare. As I move forward in my career, I carry these lessons with me, striving to support others with the same understanding and care that has been so impactful in my own journey.

Healthcare is more than a profession; it is a calling to improve lives, ease suffering, and empower individuals to achieve better health outcomes. My goal in pursuing a career in healthcare is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, particularly those facing lung diseases and rare medical conditions, by combining compassion, clinical knowledge, and innovative problem-solving. I envision a career where I am not only treating illnesses but also advocating for patients, educating communities, and contributing to advancements in medical care that can transform lives. For patients with lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, the impact of daily symptoms can be debilitating. Shortness of breath, fatigue, and chronic discomfort often limit independence and affect mental health. My approach to helping these patients begins with personalized care that addresses both the physical and emotional challenges of their condition. I aim to work closely with patients to develop treatment plans that optimize lung function, improve quality of life, and empower them to manage their symptoms effectively. Beyond clinical care, I hope to educate patients about lifestyle modifications, breathing exercises, and preventive measures that can reduce complications. By providing consistent support, listening actively to concerns, and celebrating small improvements, I hope to instill a sense of hope and resilience in those who may feel limited by their disease. Rare medical conditions present a unique set of challenges that require creativity, advocacy, and dedication. Patients with rare diseases often face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and social isolation. I envision contributing to their care by combining clinical expertise with a strong commitment to research and interdisciplinary collaboration. By staying informed about emerging therapies and clinical trials, I can help patients access cutting-edge treatments that may not be widely available. Additionally, I aspire to work with patient advocacy groups to raise awareness, connect individuals to resources, and foster communities of support. My goal is to ensure that even those with uncommon conditions feel heard, valued, and empowered in their healthcare journey. Ultimately, improving the lives of others through healthcare is about more than treating disease, it is about building trust, offering empathy, and creating environments where patients feel supported and understood. I hope to be a healthcare provider who listens carefully, treats each patient as a whole person, and encourages them to actively participate in their care. Whether it is helping a patient breathe easier, manage symptoms, or navigate a complex medical landscape, I want my work to leave a lasting impact on their lives. By dedicating myself to lung disease care and the treatment of rare conditions, I aim to combine science, compassion, and advocacy to create meaningful change, one patient at a time.

Everyone happens to have their own hero, well mine so happens to be my dad. As cheesy as that might sound, everything I have is because of the sacrifice and hard work my father has put in. He started working as a volunteer firefighter his senior year of high school. His interest soon turned into a passion and ever since then he has not wanted to walk away from from his career. As far back as I can remember, he has always loved to tell my brothers and I stories of his work shift from the day before. When we were younger however, this was not the case. He was working as a firefighter and a paramedic for most of my childhood. There were days when he would get home and the only time he would see my brothers and I was when we were asleep. I do not blame him for working those long shifts, he did everything he could to make sure that my mother, bothers, and I had a stable home. He then realized that he was missing many significant events from school but him being on shift did not stop him from trying to attend an event. I have a vivid memory of my first grade graduation where he picked me up from school in the ambulance to take me home. I knew he did it because he wanted to make it up to me since he knew I would get sad when my parents did not show up to my events. It was moments like those that made me realize my dad was my hero. In addition, not everyone can say that their dad goes into burning buildings because they enjoy it. As inflation has increased, society has been very difficult to live in. The price to live in this world has magnified which means that everything one does has to be budgeted. I knew that the price to attend school was going to be very expensive, but I had no idea how much it was actually going to be until I received my estimated billing cost for Houston Baptist University. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my education by paying one month's tuition. This will allow my parents and I to be less stressed about having enough to pay the month's due and allow us to save up for the upcoming month. As of right now, I have been working long shifts in order to gather as much money as I can to help my parents with my universities cost. There was a moment where I thought of not going to school because of how expensive it was. Being a first generation, I have always known that I wanted to continue my education and become someone that would make a difference in my community. As of right now I am going to school to become a nurse; however, this is not where I want to stop. My goal is to become an Anesthesiologist. With this in mind, all of the money that is going into my education will be given back in order to help my community. Nothing given to me is going unnoticed and everything will be soon given back.