I picture myself waking up in the morning with no worries about my future or my past, spending time traveling with my family, taking myself on dates whilst getting to know myself better, pursuing a career that I can be proud of, and helping others achieve their goals.

“Love Ballad” is a timeless classic written by L.T.D, and published in 1976. The message behind this song is powerful yet has a beautiful meaning as well. The lead singer Jeffery Osborne sings a tale about him crooning about an indomitable love that some people will never understand. A love that not many people experience in their lifetime and something only one can only dream about. For me, this song holds an important and personal message. In 2020, I was hit with devastating news about the passing of my grandmother. This song means a lot to me because it helped me get through the grieving process after my grandmother died unexpectedly. During that time I was lost and significantly hurt that she had passed and tried to hide my feelings and stay strong for my mother who was severely affected by her passing. My grandmother talked with my mom on the phone every day up to her having to be induced into a coma. So this song… means the world to me even though it reminds me of the pain I was suffering at the time. My grandmother taught me how to be kind and to never speak ill of anyone she was my role model and someone I aspired to be in the future. To me..It reminds me of a time of hurt and grievances but also a time that helped me grow into the young woman that I am today whom my grandmother would be proud to see.

When I pictured myself about 10 years ago, I never would’ve thought that I would be entering the medical field. From a very young age, my mind was set on becoming something entirely different. I’ve always wanted to be an aid to others and help them whether it be just listening or being a shoulder to cry on. That is why I ultimately shifted my career path to the medical field and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. And after seeing how much lack of diversity is in the health field, I believe I made the right choice. Only 22.2% of Black adults reported being of the same race as their healthcare providers compared to 73.8% of White adults. A study in 2019 also found that 12.1% of the entire U.S. workforce was Black, among the 10 health professions studied, Black representation ranged from 3.3% for physical therapists to 11.4% for respiratory therapists. These stats are only showing half of this ongoing issue with the lack of diversity in the medical field. Researchers also have shown that if diverse patients see themselves within the healthcare workforce, they are more likely to trust their healthcare providers. That is why it's essential to have more inclusivity and representation in the healthcare field to decrease these issues. Which can in turn make the patients feel more represented and understood. According to researchers, a diverse workforce can provide a rich array of experiences and understanding that can only enhance the patient-care experience and draw more success to hospitals, clinics, or private practices. That is why it's essential that we increase racial diversity in the healthcare field. Subsequently, my goal is to become a Sonographer (Ultrasound) Technician and provide a safe space for all my patients. Right now I am a student at Broward College majoring in Health Science. And by entering the medical field I want to create a positive space for all patients and be the voice for them. By making sure all their needs are met no matter how big or small I believe I can make a change in the healthcare field. And hopefully, in the near future, I can advance to a travel Sonographer Technician, so that I can help make others happy and travel the world. Additionally, I want to make a difference in the life of every patient and guarantee that they all receive excellent treatment. That is why I plan to get into the medical field and be the change for the future.

African Americans have faced a multitude of racial discrimination in the health field. Since the mid-1800s, there has been a lack of emotion and empathy for black bodies. In the 1840s, a white doctor named James Marion Sims performed excruciating experiments on an enslaved Black woman without anesthesia while other doctors observed. This led to a myth that Black people were less sensitive to pain than white people. Studies have shown that “black patients were significantly less likely than white patients to receive analgesics for extremity fractures in the emergency room (57% vs. 74%), despite having similar self-reports of pain.” Researchers also found that the “mortality rate among Blacks was 24% higher than among whites.” This proves that Black people face the most disparities among their white peers. For instance, black women are 2 to 6 times more likely to die from complications of pregnancy than white women, and Black Americans receive less and lower-quality care for conditions like cancer, heart problems, pneumonia, and prenatal and maternal health than their white peers. Having these disparaging odds placed on the black community can lead to devasting outcomes. However, by increasing racial diversity in the healthcare field, it is more likely that these issues can decrease. Researchers suggest that one of the best strategies to improve healthcare experiences for ethnic minorities is to increase ethnic diversity among healthcare officials. Having more inclusivity and representation in the healthcare field can help decrease any further issues. Researchers also have shown that if diverse patients see themselves within the healthcare workforce, they are more likely to trust their healthcare providers. Which can in turn make the patients feel more represented and understood. According to researchers, a diverse workforce can provide a rich array of experiences and understanding that can only enhance the patient-care experience and draw more success to hospitals, clinics, or private practices. That is why it's essential that we increase racial diversity in the healthcare field. Subsequently, my goal is to become a Sonographer (Ultrasound) Technician and provide a safe space for black patients. And hopefully, in the near future, I can advance to a travel Sonographer technician so that I help make others happy and travel the world. I also want to make sure that all black patients receive equal care as their white peers. That is why I plan to get into the medical field and be the change for the future.

While starting a new school year it is important to make sure you stay ahead of all your classes and assignments. Also, creating a daily routine and sticking to it is going to help you out tremendously. While you are creating a routine it is also important to make a to- do- list that will keep you on track. Creating a study group with your fellow classmates could also help you stay in touch with assignments and can help you make long lasting friends as well. But, what is most important is your mental health you must take breaks and try doing things you love such as going for a walk, listening to music you like, or just taking a good nap. My social media handle for Instagram:@curlygirl_miaa