How many times have you been hungry, had an exam (sometimes 2 or more) coming up on your college calendar and couldn't bring yourself to take a trip to the kitchen to prepare some food, so you decided to look for the nearest pizza place nearby and make an order? I found myself in this position countless times during my undergraduate career. The result? I gained over 20 pounds in a matter of months. I was unhealthy and stressed. Fighting for good grades as a STEM undergrad student with big aspirations to become a physician, took a toll on my eating habits and my overall mental health. Why pizza? Or the conscious decision of ordering one, if you're planning to become a physician? Simple answer, back then (we are talking 2017 to 2019), the nearest pizza place sold a massive extra large triple cheese pizza for only $12. That pizza would last me the next 2 days or so in the refrigerator, which meant I did not have to worry about cooking for the last few days before my exam. Horrible decision, I know, but at the time it seemed reasonable, strategic, and necessary to achieve my short-term goal to pass the semester with decent grades that would maintain me competitive for medical school applications. The 20 pounds I gained during those years, damaged my self-esteem and how I looked at my body. I never sought medical help, but as a medical student now, looking back at my patterns of thinking and tendencies, to a certain extent I believe I experienced body dysmorphia. My self-esteem plummeted, it damaged my relationship with my fiancee at the time and created a version of myself I was not proud of. My biggest eye-opener was during an annual check-up visit at the primary care physician in 2019, where I was informed that my triglycerides and cholesterol were both elevated. I was stunned when I received those news and panicked when I was recommended to do an HbA1c. Unfortunately, I have a significant family history of both diabetes and heart disease, which according to my doctor, was likely linked to my notoriously early achievement of such numbers. It was clear that I needed to make a change, otherwise, my prognosis was an unfavorable one. Since 2019, I successfully lost all the weight I had gained and have maintained myself in the 120 to 125 pounds range which is considered healthy, according to the most current accepted parameters of BMI calculations for a female that is 5 ft and 4 inches tall. The key to my achievement was not waking up every morning to exercise at the gym, it was something much better, completely changing my eating habits and cutting out all the unhealthy tendencies, like pizza, that drove me to the lowest state I've ever found myself in. I removed carbs like white jasmine rice and white bread from my diet and reduced the jasmine rice to once a week at most. The bread had to be high in fiber and protein and also limited to only 3 times a week. Incorporated healthy grains like quinoa, and tasty substitutes like cauliflower into my recipes as well. And so much more! Both my physical and mental health took a positive turn, and I am so proud of myself for making such a pivotal change in my life. Practicing healthy eating habits boosts your metabolism, prevents the diagnosis of detrimental diseases like atherosclerosis and fatty liver, and positively impacts your self-esteem and personal life. I am glad I made the change when I did.

I had a direct experience with cancer, many years ago as a teenager, during middle school, when one of my closest friends from childhood passed away due to leukemia. His name was Santiago Huertas, and my friend was diagnosed when we were in the 8th grade. His battle ended less than 2 years post-diagnosis. I remember attending class with him and hearing him express to practically everyone how he was extremely tired all the time, that he felt odd, and had been fighting a cold for nearly 3 months that simply wouldn't budge to any over-the-counter medications that would usually do the job. In a matter of weeks, Santiago was taken to his primary care physician, performed many blood draws, and was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, a well-known healthcare facility in the Miami area for treatment. He stayed in this hospital for about a year receiving chemotherapy and underwent 2 bone marrow transplants that were unsuccessful. I witnessed all the heart-wrenching, visible side effects of the medication Santiago had to take to confront the cancer. It was a very painful experience for me and all of our mutual friends. It never leaves my memory, the first time we were allowed to visit him in the hospital, everyone brought teddy bears and "Get Well Soon!" balloons that we couldn't bring inside the room for infection control purposes. We had to gown up in full personal protective equipment (PPE) and even wear goggles, which at the time I found so odd and would've never guessed it was due to his dangerously low white blood cell count. Despite everything, he received us with a massive smile, visibly in fear and discomfort, he was the strongest boy through and through. Santiago, following his third bone marrow transplant and admission to a brief clinical trial, his medical team hoped would make a turn for the better; had the opportunity to enjoy high school in complete remission for about 6 months, before entering his final battle with the cancer. During that time, I never imagined him backtracking to that hospital ever again and I remember being so happy to have my friend around for math class and science. Our favorite subjects. His struggles inspired me to be a better student and deeply interested in the sciences, he very well influenced my career goal of becoming a physician. I will cherish the last few months we spent together forever, he was an angel to have around. A brilliant kid, ahead of his years wisdom-wise. Before he passed, Santiago told me he knew someday I would be a doctor. He supported me a lot in my journey and never doubted that I'd achieve it in the future. He asked for me to always, no matter what life brings, make sure I give back to the community and change the world for the better. After his passing, I joined the volunteer team at Jackson Memorial and spent time with pediatric cancer patients twice a week after school until I graduated. In college, I was part of a team of volunteers that worked once again with pediatric cancer patients and offered emotional support to many families until the end of my undergraduate career. Now, as a second-year medical student, I look back and still keep alive Santiago's wishes. On the days I doubt myself, I think of him and that gives me strength to push forward. Witnessing Santiago battle cancer has and remains being, the biggest driver and motivation for me to become a physician. One day, he'll be looking down proud from the heavens.