Throughout the majority of my life, I have seen firsthand how trained medical professionals can care for and make an impact in a patient’s life. My biological father wasn’t really present as a father figure in my life, so my maternal grandfather took over that role. He was always there for me and cared for me as much as he possibly could, no matter what. Before passing away in 2015, my grandfather spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals. The same effort and love he put into caring for me I saw even more with the nurses that would take care of him when we were at the hospital. Seeing the way they cared for him, the way they treated him and tried to help in any way possible is something that will always stay with me. I remember noticing how patient and loving the various medical professionals were with him. Without that level of care, I am sure my grandfather’s health would have deteriorated much quicker than it eventually did. When he passed away in the hospital, it was stressful and confusing, even for a ten-year-old. Once we got to the hospital, they threw all the kids into the waiting room and I still had no clue what was actually happening besides all my cousins showing up all teary eyed. I was starving because I hadn’t had anything to eat since lunch and it was already starting to hit what felt like hundreds of hours later when someone decided to get me from the waiting room and into my grandpa’s room. I finally realized what had happened before they took me out of his room to get me to process my emotions and crying away from his body, a nurse came by and consoled me. She tried talking to me and I said I was hungry. She pulled out a small pack of Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies from her pocket and handed to me before she went to my mother and grandmother. It wasn't much, but it has been a constant, vibrant memory in my head for almost a decade and it will continue to do so. Not only did their love for their career impact my grandfather, it impacted me as well. I felt the warmth and reassurance that someone that was caring for my loved one was someone that wanted to do so and loved that they were doing it. I want to give others that same feeling of reassurance that was given to me that my grandfather was in good hands every single time. I want to make such an impact on someone else like me. It is also my goal to return back home to Chicago and work in a hospital in which I will work my hardest to make people feel safer and more comfortable and less scared of the medical process, especially people of color/Hispanic/Latino people. Cindy put her love into everything she did as a nurse into her patients and it sticks with them. Along with carrying on her passion of the field, I want to project that empathy, kindness, and overall quality care that she had onto others. We need more representation and language inclusivity in all places, especially in the healthcare field and I want to be a part of it.