Imagine going to the doctor's office and the doctor not being able to understand anything you are saying. As one remains there with a short-of-breath attack, they cannot help him. This is a situation for most people in the United States because sixty-eight million citizens do not speak English. Considering such efforts that the medical profession has taken in assisting the non-English population, the intervention will not counteract a lack of more diverse representation within healthcare. Sixty-two percent of the U.S. doctors are whites, and that forms a big language barrier among the ethnic groups. All the obstacles I faced throughout my life as I was growing up tallied my motivation to pursue medicine. I can remember I was thirteen years old when I found out I was adopted by my then-dad at that time. This changed my whole perception of how families function. Shortly after that, my parents were divorced, and I was tossed toward the mom in the situation who has heroically proceeded to raise six children by herself. Whether it's been seeing her tenacious hustle in making things meet—from working multiple jobs to scaling back and being available for my younger siblings—she has made an impression on me. Even through the financial squeezes, my mom always worked hard to ensure that we were brought up in a warm and loving family with cherished memories. Our childhood was not embraced with extravagant trips, but we held close to game nights and one occasional outing that was priceless in its simplicity. Her sacrifices and unwavering dedication are truly remarkable in everything she does, and for all that she has sacrificed for us, I will always be grateful. Her whole life is a perpetual dream: to make me hold my dreams and to be successful in everything I would pick for myself. In regard and reverence to this perpetual support and motivation from this end, I felt like taking a plunge into medicine. As a little child, any division of health care fascinated by the potential power of being able to bring a practical difference in the lives of other human beings. The element of excitement and added incentive for being contented will be experienced with this possibility of helping other people. Medicine portrays the innovation and the face of compassion; it is an evolving process for the betterment of human life and the upliftment of society. I wish to hold this stream. I hope to be able to pay back some of the sacrifices and actualize her dreams for me. She has been my hope—the only beacon of hope. My creator, inspiration, and constant juncture of strength—my role model and best friend. Just as she has fought for the future of our family, so do I aim to take up medicine for the future in ways that will contribute to a better tomorrow. Mom, this journey is the most heartfelt thank-you to you and a testament to how you have greatly influenced me to nurture my ambitions and values. However, on a more personal note, as a Latina student, I am motivated by the need to address healthcare disparities due to firsthand experiences, particularly those surrounding language barriers. In a world where patients trust and speak freely to health providers who share their ethnicities and languages, I imagined that future. I desire to be part of the future healthcare workforce where our strong and multi-hued communities are reflected in the landscape; a workforce where language barriers have been done away with and the desired health outcomes are achieved for all

Imagine going to the doctor's office and the doctor not being able to understand anything you are saying. As one remains there with a short-of-breath attack, they cannot help him. This is a situation for most people in the United States because sixty-eight million citizens do not speak English. Considering such efforts that the medical profession has taken in assisting the non-English population, the intervention will not counteract a lack of more diverse representation within healthcare. Sixty-two percent of the U.S. doctors are whites, and that forms a big language barrier among the ethnic groups. All the obstacles I faced throughout my life as I was growing up tallied my motivation to pursue medicine. I can remember I was thirteen years old when I found out I was adopted by my then-dad at that time. This changed my whole perception of how families function. Shortly after that, my parents were divorced, and I was tossed toward the mom in the situation who has heroically proceeded to raise six children by herself. Whether it's been seeing her tenacious hustle in making things meet—from working multiple jobs to scaling back and being available for my younger siblings—she has made an impression on me. Even through the financial squeezes, my mom always worked hard to ensure that we were brought up in a warm and loving family with cherished memories. Our childhood was not embraced with extravagant trips, but we held close to game nights and one occasional outing that was priceless in its simplicity. Her sacrifices and unwavering dedication are truly remarkable in everything she does, and for all that she has sacrificed for us, I will always be grateful. Her whole life is a perpetual dream: to make me hold my dreams and to be successful in everything I would pick for myself. In regard and reverence to this perpetual support and motivation from this end, I felt like taking a plunge into medicine. As a little child, any division of health care fascinated by the potential power of being able to bring a practical difference in the lives of other human beings. The element of excitement and added incentive for being contented will be experienced with this possibility of helping other people. Medicine portrays the innovation and the face of compassion; it is an evolving process for the betterment of human life and the upliftment of society. I wish to hold this stream. I hope to be able to pay back some of the sacrifices and actualize her dreams for me. She has been my hope—the only beacon of hope. My creator, inspiration, and constant juncture of strength—my role model and best friend. Just as she has fought for the future of our family, so do I aim to take up medicine for the future in ways that will contribute to a better tomorrow. Mom, this journey is the most heartfelt thank-you to you and a testament to how you have greatly influenced me to nurture my ambitions and values. However, on a more personal note, as a Latina student, I am motivated by the need to address healthcare disparities due to firsthand experiences, particularly those surrounding language barriers. In a world where patients trust and speak freely to health providers who share their ethnicities and languages, I imagined that future. I desire to be part of the future healthcare workforce where our strong and multi-hued communities are reflected in the landscape; a workforce where language barriers have been done away with and the desired health outcomes are achieved for all.

From a young age, I was labeled “smart”. I excelled in school, had perfect grades, and was well-read. Being the eldest and only girl, I was expected to be a perfect role model. Throughout my youth, we struggled through many hardships. My dad was a raging abusive alcoholic. After many years of abuse, I helped my mother find the courage to leave him. This decision however started the downward spiral of my life. There was a nasty divorce where I was separated from two of my brothers. I also found out the astounding revelation that I was adopted by my dad. To make matters worse we relocated across Nevada further destabilizing our lives. This all took a toll heavily on me but fortunately, I was able to push through these adversities. Little did I know the subsequent year, as a freshman, would bring another tumultuous chapter. My mom entered a toxic relationship yet again: Marked by threats to our lives, abuse, and financial exploitation. The only way we were able to escape was when he was incarcerated. My mother took us and my two new siblings to Reno where we started a new life. Just as everything was starting to look up tragedy struck. There was an accident and my youngest brother needed hospitalization. He was taken to California where he and my mom stayed for a month. My mom stopped working and I started picking up more shifts. I wasn’t making as much but it was putting food on the table. Thankfully, he got better, however we were in a financial crisis. The hospital bills and rent kept building up and I continued to work. After a while of working we were in a better place. Since I was absent my grades dropped. I lost everything: my hopes, my dreams, my ticket out. My grades were my golden ticket to a good university, scholarships, and a good job and now it was gone. The one thing that made me feel special was gone. My depression hit an all-time low. I felt selfish that my family was finally in a better place but I wasn’t. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t catch up. I had given up. I ended up hospitalized for a suicide attempt. I felt stupid and weak for considering suicide. I couldn’t leave my family. We needed to stick together, but I felt all hope for me was lost. I stopped caring for myself and thought this was the end for me, but in the face of despair, my mother remained my beacon of hope. With her unwavering support, I gradually regained my footing. She believed in me and pushed to get me back. It took a while but eventually, she succeded. I went back to school and talked to my counselor. She was supportive and had hope but I knew the damage was bad. Fast forward a couple of months and here I am now. I missed out on a lot of important milestones of my senior year but I am on track to graduate. Despite the unanticipated detours, I've been accepted into college and I am finally getting back on my feet. My journey continues, with college marking a new chapter of renewal and possibility. An opportunity I am happy I even get it. Despite the challenges ahead, I'm determined to persevere. This journey is far from over, but with resilience and determination, I am poised to embrace whatever lies ahead. As Epictetus once said, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters”.

“Look, kid. Bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it. Right? Wrong. When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world.” Timon, The Lion King Many of us grew up with Disney and like myself, many enjoyed entertaining movies and characters without delving into their deeper meanings. However, as I matured, I began to appreciate the profound messages embedded within these stories like the quote above. As I reflect upon my own journey, I am reminded of the tumultuous path I've traversed, particularly during my junior and senior years of high school. From a young age, I was labeled “smart”. I was excelling in school, had perfect grades, and was well-read, especially considering English is my second language. Being the eldest and only girl, I was expected to be a perfect role model. Throughout my youth, we struggled through a lot of hardships. My dad was a raging abusive alcoholic. After many years of abuse, I helped my mother find the courage to leave him. This decision however started the downward spiral of my life. There was a nasty divorce where I was separated from two of my brothers. I also found out the astounding revelation that I was adopted by my dad. To make matters worse we relocated across Nevada to Carson City further destabilizing our lives. This all took a toll heavily on me but fortunately, I was able to push through these adversities. Little did I know the subsequent year, as a freshman, would bring another tumultuous chapter. My mom entered a toxic relationship yet again: Worse than the last marked by threats to our lives, abuse, and financial exploitation. The only way we were able to escape was when he was incarcerated. My mother took us and my two new siblings to Reno where we started a new life. Just as everything was starting to look up tragedy struck. There was an accident and my youngest brother needed hospitalization. He was taken to California where he and my mom stayed for a month. My mom stopped working and I started picking up more shifts. I wasn’t making as much as my mother but it was putting food on the table. Thankfully, he got better but now we were in a financial crisis. The hospital bills and rent kept building up and I continued to work. After a while of working we were in a better place. Since I was absent my grades dropped. I lost everything: my hopes, my dreams, my ticket out. My grades were my golden ticket to a good university, scholarships, and a good job and now it was all gone. The one thing that made me feel special was gone. My depression hit an all-time low. I felt selfish that my family was finally in a better place but I wasn’t. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t catch up. I had given up. I ended up hospitalized for a suicide attempt. I felt stupid and weak for considering suicide. I couldn’t leave my family. We needed to stick together, but I felt all hope for me was lost. I stopped caring for myself and thought this was the end for me, but in the face of despair, my mother remained my beacon of hope. With her unwavering support, I gradually regained my footing. She believed in me and pushed to get me back. It took a while but eventually, she succeeded. I went back to school and talked to my counselor. She was supportive and had hope but I knew how bad the damage was. Fast forward a couple of months and here I am now. I missed out on a lot of important milestones of my senior year but I am on track to graduate. Maybe not the way I imagined but I am graduating. Despite the unanticipated detours, I've been accepted into college and I am finally getting back on my feet. My journey continues, with college marking a new chapter of renewal and possibility. An opportunity I am happy I even get it. Despite the challenges ahead, I'm determined to persevere. This journey is far from over, but with resilience and determination, I am poised to embrace whatever lies ahead. As Epictetus once said, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

Imagine visiting a doctor and being unable to explain what is wrong because no doctors or their representatives understand your language. This happens to many non-native speakers in America. Access to health care that is linguistically and culturally appropriate remains an issue that is critically boiling in America, with 68 million citizens who speak languages other than English. Representation of underserved communities, such as the LGBTQ community, within medicine still lags behind all ambitions. For an LGBTQ student who is looking to get a four-year degree in biochemistry, I view getting it as just the beginning. It means more than an academic achievement of being able to use the platform for change and inclusivity in health care. There are unique challenges associated with LGBTQ individuals in a medical setup—discrimination and lack of understanding of specific health needs are just examples. Statistics help underscore these challenges: LGBTQ individuals are more likely to experience barriers to healthcare access than their non-LGBTQ peers. In a national survey, 8% of LGBTQ respondents reported having been denied medical care because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and 29% said healthcare providers refused to touch them or took excessive precautions. These experiences etch a deep-seated trust gap between LGBTQ individuals and healthcare providers, affecting their willingness to seek out care. Through further studies and taking a lead in the medical field, I hope to be part of a healthcare system that not only includes but also expresses the qualities of diversity and delivers it to all citizens equally, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. On the other hand, it has been shown that if LGBTQ patients perceive that their healthcare provider is supportive and competent towards their identities, they would be more likely to disclose relevant information and adhere to treatment plans for their healthcare. The beckoning of gaps in healthcare access and ensuring everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, receives respectful and competent care considerably heightened my motivation and interest in pursuing a doctor's career. Apart from language, cultural and social barriers prevail which LGBTQ people often face while accessing healthcare. According to studies, for instance, transgender people report mistreatment-endeavoring to get medical care frequently being harassed and verbally abused. I want to bring about a time when it is safe and understood that LGBTQ individuals go for medical care by actively working to make the health system increasingly inclusive. Obtaining a four-year college degree in biochemistry is not an individual achievement but a step toward that greater goal, being an assistant advocate for other overlooked groups within that very medical profession. Detailing broken walls, fostering understanding in a health environment where all people do matter and are respected. Said differently, obtaining a degree in biochemistry is a threshold to begin working toward applying scientific ideas for social change in order to ensure that healthcare is accessible but not just affirming to all, no matter what their background and identities are.