Success, to me, is a journey defined by continuous growth, meaningful impact, and resilience. It is the ability to overcome challenges, learn from setbacks, and ultimately make a difference in the lives of others. Success is about being impactful and serving a higher purpose and contributing to the well-being of my community and the world at large. In addition, success is also about problem solving and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. My road to success has been very trying, yet very rewarding. As a resident physician, who has served in the Army National Guard, my vision of success is grounded in service, dedication to improvement, and tenacity. Having experienced both the discipline of military training and the rigor of medical training, I understand that success requires a commitment to hard work and perseverance even when times become difficult. My ultimate goal is to use my knowledge and skills to serve others, particularly those in underserved and under-represented communities. This entails providing medical care and serves in my local community and traveling abroad to serve in medical missions. I believe that success lies in the positive impact I can make on the lives of individuals who need it most, when it matters the most.. My journey to medicine was anything but conventional. It has taken many twists and turns from surviving the horror of Hurricane Katrina as a freshman in college, to surviving volcanic eruptions while studying medicine in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a small Caribbean country. I have seen first-handedly the devastation that occurs when resources are limited in low-income populations, and importance of resource sharing especially in times of need. These experiences have cultivated my passion for local and global medical outreach. Serving in the Army National Guard taught me the importance of resilience, discipline, and adaptability. My time in the military has paralleled my experience in medicine, in that I have faced unique challenges that has required me to think quickly, stay composed under pressure, and lead by example. These experiences have instilled in me a deep sense of duty to serve my community, and they continue to influence my current approach to medicine. I also learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which are essential life qualities. I've realized that no matter how well-trained I may be, success depends on working with others to provide the best possible care for patients and their families. If granted this opportunity, it will represent an invaluable chance to further assist my commitment to improvement and resilience in the face of challenges. Additionally, the financial support from the Redefining Victory Scholarship will help reduce the burden of school loan debt, allowing me to focus more on my mission of providing care both locally and globally, and to pursue further training, and develop the skills I need to make an even greater impact in the world of medicine. As a resident physician, I am constantly learning and striving to improve my skills. The scholarship will enable me to access additional opportunities for professional growth, such as attending conferences, participating in research, and gaining further training within the family medicine field. It will also give me the flexibility to pursue medical missions, where I can bring healthcare to those who have limited access to it. This will be an essential part of my journey to success, as I will be able to serve those who are in desperate need of medical attention, often in areas with limited resources, all of which will make me a more effective and well-rounded physician. Ultimately, success, is being able to freely use my skills to help others and make a positive difference in the world. The Redefining Victory Scholarship will support me in my mission to create lasting, meaningful change through resilience, commitment to improvement, and an unwavering dedication to service. I aim to make a difference by enhancing healthcare access for the underserved people of my community. I aspire to inspire other students, and make them aware of the many opportunities we have to give back. I plan to will continue to practice as a teacher, mentor, servant, and leader with the goal of local and global advocacy.

I have been a resident of the English Avenue community in Atlanta, Georgia for over 15 years now. I have seen first-handedly the devastation that occurs when resources are limited and low-income populations are overlooked by the glamorous life of downtown Atlanta. The historic English Avenue and Vine City communities are home of civil and human rights movements, home of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many other culturally significant events that has helped shaped our country’s history. I definitely feel a strong connection to English Avenue, and the people who I have served throughout the years. Additionally, I have an invested interest in providing medical services to underserved and underprivileged populations within my community. I started working at The Healing Community Clinic for uninsured and underinsured people as a medical assistant volunteer. During that time, the clinic was located within a homeless shelter in English Avenue. Most of the patients came from marginalized backgrounds, grappling with socioeconomic challenges, language barriers, and lack of transportation. These experiences made it clear to me that healthcare is not just about treating illnesses; it’s also about addressing the broader social determinants of health. This understanding ignited my passion for community medicine. English avenue and Vine City are medically underserved in that there are many low-income and no-income individuals who are underinsured and uninsured. There are only 1-2 medical clinics available, and their availability is often inconsistent due to lack of funding and resources to retain healthcare professionals who are willing to accept a pay cut to serve a community in need. Socioeconomic differences and health disparities both make this community medically underserved and underinvested. My journey to medicine was anything but conventional. I took may twists and turns from surviving the horror of Hurricane Katrina as a freshman at Xavier University. Then attending a local community college in Atlanta after earning my BS in Biology, while trying to figure out my path. I then joined the Army National Guard, and I managed to matriculate through graduate school at Mississippi College. I finally was able to pursue my dream by studying medicine in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a small Caribbean country. Rotating at the only hospital in the country taught me the importance of being resourceful. As a now resident physician in Family Medicine in Augusta, Georgia, I am currently serving a community similar to English Avenue. Later this year, I will be pursuing a subspecialty in palliative and hospice medicine. This will allow me to introduce more information and resources to my community that have been overlooked and underutilized. I am excited to employ the skills that I have developed from residency and apply them in my community as a highly trained Family physician to Atlanta’s own, English Avenue and Vine City. I aim to be impactful by making a difference and enhancing healthcare access for the underserved people of my community.