During my transition from family medicine residency to becoming a hospice and palliative medicine fellow, I realized more than ever the importance of prioritizing my mental, emotional, and physical health. The work I do can be deeply fulfilling, but also emotionally intense. I know that in order to provide the best care to others, I need to care for myself first as well. One of the most grounding practices I’ve developed is exploring local trails. Amateur hiking through different paths in nature offers me a perfect combination of exercise, mindfulness, and stress relief. It’s become a ritual for me — one that helps me reconnect with myself after long or emotionally taxing days. Now that I’ve relocated for fellowship, I’ve made it a point to continue this practice. I recently visited a new trail in my current community, and it has reinforced just how healing nature can be. The movement, fresh air, and scenery give me space to decompress and reset. Additionally, I’ve come to realize the importance of incorporating a multi-dimensional approach to wellness. Last year, when a major storm in Augusta, Georgia forced the closure of many parks and trails for weeks to months, I had to adapt. I began to lean on my love for music and movement at home — dancing, stretching, and simply allowing my body to move freely in response to how I felt. It reminded me that even when one outlet is unavailable, there are always other ways to care for my mind and body. That flexibility has become a cornerstone of how I now approach wellness. Another important step I am preparing to start in the near future is using life coaching and therapy services offered by my employer. With so many recent life changes — graduating residency, moving to a new city, and starting fellowship — I recognized that emotional support is essential. I hoping that these sessions will help me process transitions, set healthy boundaries, and develop tools to stay emotionally balanced throughout my life. I’m looking forward to being intentional in my overall wellness and well-being as I prepare for the emotionally heavy conversations and spiritual weight that often come with palliative care. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that prioritizing wellness requires intentionality, flexibility, and a willingness to seek support. I’ve also learned that resilience isn't built by pushing through stress, but by actively creating space to rest, reflect, and heal. As I continue this journey, I’m committed to maintaining a routine that nurtures my whole self — whether that’s walking a new trail, dancing in my living room (which I love), or showing up for therapy. I know that by doing so, I’ll be more present, compassionate, and effective in caring for my patients, family, and myself.

When finding love in unconventional ways, intentionality is key. In the villa, it’s often unclear whether to dive straight into deep emotional waters or simply test the temperature with playful flirtation. That’s why this challenge gives Islanders space to be real—sharing desires, fears, and deal-breakers in the hope of forming a true emotional connection. This new “Love Island” challenge is called I Wear My Heart on My Sleeve. The purpose of this challenge is to encourage emotional vulnerability, build intimacy, and spark deeper understanding—while keeping things lit, surprising, and just the right amount of messiness. Let’s take this scene to the lawn set in a dreamy, heart-themed arena. We have heart-shaped cushions, neon-lit signs with introspective quotes (“The only way out is through,” “Do you see me?”), and warm-toned lighting to create a soft, romantic ambiance. Our participants will use truth cards, heart tokens, blindfolds, buzzers, a rotating mirror, and an “emotional truth podium.” The first part of this challenge will focus on Private Reflection. 
Islanders are pulled aside to answer 5 deep self-reflective prompts on a tablet: * What emotional walls do I hide behind? * When was the last time I truly felt seen and heard? * What part of myself am I scared to show a partner? * Who in the villa brings out my truest self? * What pattern do I tend to repeat in relationships? 
Later, these anonymous answers are read aloud in the Heart Arena. The rest of the group tries to guess who said what using buzzers. When guessed correctly, the Islander must stand before the rotating mirror and give a 30-second reflection—to themselves—explaining the meaning behind their answer. It’s raw, real, and often surprising. The second half of this challenge is a playful gauntlet that tests emotional awareness and compatibility through the five love languages. Each couple rotates through five themed “mini rooms”: * Words of Affirmation: Write and read a short “truth letter” to your partner about what scares you most in the relationship. * Acts of Service: Blindfolded, one partner completes a task (e.g., heart puzzle, smoothie-making) using only the other’s voice for guidance. * Receiving Gifts: Pick a symbolic object from a table and explain what it represents about your connection. * Quality Time: Sit in silence for one minute holding hands, then express what you felt during this exercise. * Physical Touch: Recreate your partner’s favorite affectionate gesture and explain what it emotionally communicates. After all rounds, the rest of the Islanders vote on the couple with the deepest connection and the couple most emotionally “checked out.” I Wear My Heart on My Sleeve brings emotional honesty to the forefront while keeping the energy fun, awkward, and unpredictable. It sparks introspection, breaks down emotional walls, reveals hidden fears and patterns, and highlights which connections are truly deep and which are surface level. From blindfolded chaos to moving mirror monologues, this challenge is packed with drama, growth, and revelations. And of course, viewers will be hooked from start to finish! Let’s find out who’s really here for love, and who’s just here for a good time?

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.

Hi! I’m Malika Adams, an Atlanta, Georgia native. I’ve spent many years striving to accomplish my goal of practicing medicine and making both a community and global impact. My life has taken many detours including studying biology in New Orleans, LA, serving in the Army National Guard while also attending graduate school in Mississippi, and then having the opportunity to study medicine in a small Caribbean county, Saint Vincent. This path has lead me to residency in Georgia. As a now family physician resident with a commitment to practicing hospice and palliative medicine, I aspire to make a profound and positive impact on the world. Some of my core values are empathy, respect, and dignity for all individuals, particularly those facing life-limiting illnesses. A little over 10 years ago I loss one of my older sisters to her second battle with breast cancer. It was very difficult seeing her fight until she physically could no long fight. At that time, I had no idea I would finally make it into the medical field and even further I had never even considered pivoting into palliative medicine. One of things I enjoy the most about family medicine is the versatility and the ability to care for entire families from babies to grandparents. Moreover, as a future palliative and hospice specialist, I intend to create a holistic approach to care that addresses not only the physical aspects of illness but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. One of my primary goals is to practice medicine with open communication and shared decision-making during difficult life decisions. I look forward to acting as a facilitator in collaboration with patients and their families for these conversations in a supportive environment. A core component of my practice will also focus on community education and patient advocacy. I believe that raising awareness about the benefits of hospice and palliative care can transform societal perceptions about end-of-life care. I hope to help improve the quality of life of not only my patients, but everyone I come in contact with. In addition to patient care, I am committed to model the importance of self-compassion and encourage my colleagues to prioritize their well-being, thus promoting a culture of care that extends beyond the individual to the entire healthcare team. My goal is to inspire others to also make positive impacts in their communities, thereby expanding the reach of compassionate care and ultimately making a lasting positive impact on the world that will resonate for many years to come.

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.