
Hobbies and interests
Running
Babysitting And Childcare
Miranda Wilson
1x
Finalist
Miranda Wilson
1x
FinalistBio
Time management and discipline have always been major talking points in the world of athletics and academics. In high school, I believed I already had these skills mastered as a dual-sport athlete in all AP classes while competing in softball on the weekends. Still, I acknowledged that I would be challenged once I reached my freshman biology and chemistry courses. I was rapidly overwhelmed with the amount of studying that needed to take place, whether on the bus or in the library, despite bouts of motion sickness and library hours. All of these obstacles I’ve mentioned are unique to the experience of a student-athlete, especially a Division I student-athlete. However, these are also the experiences of the student with a full time job or familial obligations that lay a burden on their academic pursuit. Regardless of which circumstance a student is in, the richness of learned time management and discipline cannot be understated. Through the nonstop schedules of weights, class, practice, labs, and studying, it was of the utmost importance that I adapted to the requirements of my major and sport while maintaining a high standard of excellence. Although I fell short of my standard more than once in my academic performance, I’m still proud of the sacrifices I made to earn the results I received. I believe this is more than applicable to the educational journey of a medical student as well.
Education
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Medicine
Abilene Christian University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Biological and Physical Sciences
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
- Medicine
Dream career goals:
Sports
Softball
Varsity2020 – 20244 years
Awards
- Abilene Christian University Wildcat Club Female Student-Athlete of the Year 2023-2024
Research
Medicine
LSU Health Shreveport — Research Associate2026 – Present
Noah Jon Markstrom Foundation Scholarship
A photograph of a two-year-old girl with pigtails wearing a red plaid dress has hung on the bulletin boards lining the halls of my pediatrician's office since 2004. Every time my family walked through those hallways for an appointment, we would pass that picture. Six years later, it was joined by another photograph of my sister and me. Although it may have seemed like a small gesture, displaying photos of her patients demonstrated how much they meant to her. That simple act inspired me to dress up as "Dr. Miranda Davila, Pediatrician" for Career Day in the first grade.
Years later, during the summer after my sophomore year at Abilene Christian University, I had the opportunity to shadow my pediatrician, Dr. Riser, for three weeks. Walking back into her office felt like stepping into a familiar place from my childhood. The bulletin boards were still covered with smiling faces of patients, but now our graduation announcements decorated the door to her office. While shadowing, I witnessed the same compassion and genuine interest that I had experienced as a child. Dr. Riser took the time to ask about each patient's extracurricular activities, family life, and personal milestones and celebrated their successes just as enthusiastically as their parents did.
More importantly, I saw the profound impact of continuity of care. Because she had cared for many of her patients for years, she could anticipate what they would need before they even asked. Whether it was completing forms for public school enrollment, clearing an athlete for sports participation, or preparing a college freshman with the necessary vaccinations and health documentation, she knew her patients beyond their medical histories. This continuity allowed her to provide care that was both comprehensive and deeply personal. Witnessing these relationships transformed my childhood admiration into a genuine passion for pediatric medicine.
That passion continued to grow as I gained additional clinical experience as a medical scribe in the emergency department at Houston Methodist–The Woodlands. Although my exposure to pediatric patients was limited because our hospital admitted couldn't admit children, whenever a pediatric patient arrived, I found myself especially invested in their care. Whether documenting the treatment of a child experiencing a severe asthma exacerbation or a young patient recovering from a copperhead snakebite, I was reminded why I was drawn to pediatrics. Caring for children required not only clinical knowledge but also patience, empathy, and the ability to reassure anxious families during frightening moments.
These experiences have confirmed that pediatric medicine is where I feel most fulfilled. I hope to build lifelong relationships with my future patients and celebrate their milestones while guiding them through illness and health. Just as Dr. Riser inspired me by making every child feel known and valued, I aspire to provide compassionate, continuous care that leaves a lasting impact on the children and families I have the privilege to serve.