From a young age, I have been deeply moved by the critical role emergency services play in saving lives and maintaining public safety. Growing up in a community with limited access to immediate medical care, I witnessed the profound impact of dedicated health workers, who bridged the gap between crisis and care. This early exposure fueled my passion for community involvement and instilled a lifelong commitment to serve those in urgent need. My educational journey began in medicine, where I developed a strong foundation in clinical knowledge and patient care. I earned my medical degree, and currently, I am pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Population Health. This program has expanded my understanding of health disparities, community-level interventions, and the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable populations, especially in emergency settings. My ultimate career goal is to become a neurologist with a strong focus on underserved populations, particularly in emergency and acute care settings. I aim to integrate clinical neurology with public health strategies to improve both immediate and long-term outcomes for patients with neurological diseases. I am also involved in multiple neurology-related research projects, which I hope will contribute to evidence-based improvements in emergency care and behavioral health services. The communities I hope to serve are often the ones most affected by socioeconomic hardship, limited access to healthcare, and chronic understaffing in emergency departments. By combining my medical and public health training, I plan to develop targeted interventions that address both the acute and systemic needs of these populations. This may include community education programs about stroke symptoms and prevention, mobile health units for underserved areas, and collaboration with local agencies to improve emergency preparedness and response systems. In addition to clinical work, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. I believe that building diverse and community-driven healthcare teams is essential to long-term, sustainable improvements in emergency care. I also understand that healthcare does not stop at the hospital doors. It extends to schools, homes, and workplaces. That's why I am particularly interested in outreach programs that empower individuals to recognize early symptoms, provide basic first aid, and take preventive actions before crises occur. Training community members to be first responders and promoting health literacy are foundational strategies I aim to implement. Ultimately, my goal is not just to treat illness but to build resilience—individual, institutional, and communal. Through my continued education and community engagement, I am committed to transforming emergency care into a more inclusive, proactive, and life-saving system—one that reaches those who need it most, when they need it most. This journey is my everest. I come from a place where access to emergency care is not guaranteed, where delays can cost lives, and where families suffer simply because help doesn’t come fast enough. That experience shaped who I am and why I’ve chosen this path. Every step I take, from medical school to my MPH, is driven by a promise I made to myself: to be the person who shows up when others need it most. I’m not just pursuing a career, I’m trying to give back to the community the best way I can, and to be part of building something better for the future.

My name is Mustafa Jasim Mohammed Shukur. I am a medical doctor from Iraq and currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Wright State University in the United States. My journey into medicine began in childhood, shaped not only by a fascination with the human body and science but also by the harsh realities of growing up in a conflict-ridden country. I witnessed the fragility of life during times of war, scarcity, and healthcare collapse. These experiences impressed upon me that becoming a doctor is not just a profession, it is a humanitarian calling. The path to becoming a doctor was far from easy. I grew up during some of Iraq’s most unstable years. Despite the challenges, I was accepted into one of Iraq’s top public high schools for gifted students and eventually earned my MBChB (medical degree). However, even as I pursued my studies, the healthcare system around me struggled to survive amid violence, political instability, and limited resources. During my clinical years, I saw patients suffer not only from disease but also from systemic neglect, poverty, and trauma. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the solution, not only by treating patients, but by working to improve the systems that serve them. The most painful obstacle I faced was losing my father to a sudden heart attack before he could see me enter medical school. His death was a defining moment in my life. It strengthened my resolve to pursue medicine with even greater purpose. I carry his memory with me in everything I do, and it continues to push me forward in moments of doubt or hardship. Financial challenges have also been significant. Balancing my education with the cost of living and tuition has been a heavy burden. Nevertheless, I remain focused and driven, because I believe the sacrifice is worth it. My hope is to enter neurology residency in the U.S. and become a neurologist who understands not only illness, but the social, economic, and psychological burdens patients carry, especially those from underserved or war-affected communities. Having lived through those difficulties myself, I bring deep empathy, cultural understanding, and resilience to my future practice. These are not just traits I’ve learned; they are who I am. And they will define how I care for every patient I meet. I understand what it means to suffer silently, to wait for care that may never come, and to feel forgotten by systems that should protect you. These experiences give me a unique ability to connect with patients, especially those who feel marginalized or overlooked. I hope to become not just a doctor who treats disease, but a trusted advocate who listens, supports, and helps patients heal both physically and emotionally.

My name is Mustafa Jasim Mohammed Shukur. I am a medical doctor from Iraq and currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Wright State University in the United States. My journey into medicine began in childhood, shaped not only by a fascination with the human body and science but also by the harsh realities of growing up in a conflict-ridden country. I witnessed the fragility of life during times of war, scarcity, and healthcare collapse. These experiences impressed upon me that becoming a doctor is not just a profession, it is a humanitarian calling. The path to becoming a doctor was far from easy. I grew up during some of Iraq’s most unstable years. Despite the challenges, I was accepted into one of Iraq’s top public high schools for gifted students and eventually earned my MBChB (medical degree). However, even as I pursued my studies, the healthcare system around me struggled to survive amid violence, political instability, and limited resources. During my clinical years, I saw patients suffer not only from disease but also from systemic neglect, poverty, and trauma. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the solution, not only by treating patients, but by working to improve the systems that serve them. The most painful obstacle I faced was losing my father to a sudden heart attack before he could see me enter medical school. His death was a defining moment in my life. It strengthened my resolve to pursue medicine with even greater purpose. I carry his memory with me in everything I do, and it continues to push me forward in moments of doubt or hardship. Financial challenges have also been significant. Balancing my education with the cost of living and tuition has been a heavy burden. Nevertheless, I remain focused and driven, because I believe the sacrifice is worth it. My hope is to enter neurology residency in the U.S. and become a neurologist who understands not only illness, but the social, economic, and psychological burdens patients carry, especially those from underserved or war-affected communities. Having lived through those difficulties myself, I bring deep empathy, cultural understanding, and resilience to my future practice. These are not just traits I’ve learned; they are who I am. And they will define how I care for every patient I meet. I understand what it means to suffer silently, to wait for care that may never come, and to feel forgotten by systems that should protect you. These experiences give me a unique ability to connect with patients, especially those who feel marginalized or overlooked. I hope to become not just a doctor who treats disease, but a trusted advocate who listens, supports, and helps patients heal both physically and emotionally.

My name is Mustafa Shukur. I am a medical doctor from Iraq and currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Wright State University in the United States. My journey into medicine began in childhood, shaped not only by a fascination with the human body and science but also by the harsh realities of growing up in a conflict-ridden country. I witnessed the fragility of life during times of war, scarcity, and healthcare collapse. These experiences impressed upon me that becoming a doctor is not just a profession, it is a humanitarian calling. The path to becoming a doctor was far from easy. I grew up during some of Iraq’s most unstable years. Despite the challenges, I was accepted into one of Iraq’s top public high schools for gifted students and eventually earned my MBChB (medical degree). However, even as I pursued my studies, the healthcare system around me struggled to survive amid violence, political instability, and limited resources. During my clinical years, I saw my family suffer from systemic neglect, poverty, and trauma. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the solution, not only by treating patients, but by working to improve the systems that serve them. The most painful obstacle I faced was losing my father to a sudden heart attack before he could see me enter medical school. His death was a defining moment in my life. It strengthened my resolve to pursue medicine with even greater purpose. I carry his memory with me in everything I do, and it continues to push me forward in moments of doubt or hardship. Financial challenges have also been significant. Balancing my education with the cost of living and tuition has been a heavy burden. Nevertheless, I remain focused and driven, because I believe the sacrifice is worth it. My hope is to enter residency in the U.S. and become a physician who understands not only illness, but the social, economic, and psychological burdens patients carry, especially those from underserved or war-affected communities. Having lived through those difficulties myself, I bring deep empathy, cultural understanding, and resilience to my future practice. These are not just traits I’ve learned; they are who I am. I believe that my experiences give me a unique lens through which I view suffering, not with pity, but with determination. I hope to be the kind of doctor who not only treats the illnesses also restores dignity and hope.

My name is Mustafa Jasim Mohammed Shukur. I was born and raised in Iraq, where I completed my medical degree. From my childhood, I was drawn to the field of medicine, not only because of a interest in science and the human body, but also because I lived the power of compassionate care during times of war, scarcity, and uncertainty. Those experiences really shaped my belief that medicine and public health is not just a career, but a service to humanity. I come from a humble and tightly bonded family. My parents have been the cornerstone of everything I’ve achieved so far. My father, a man of quiet strength and wisdom, always emphasized honesty and humility. My mother support instilled in me the values of patience, and hard work. Together, they created a household filled with love, despite the external challenges we faced growing up in a country marked by conflict and hardship. Their sacrifices have been immense. There were countless times when they put my education and well-being before their own needs. During times of war I was doing my highschool education in top 15 public school in iraq, for the gifted people. My parents shielded me from the weight of struggles evey family faced in iraq at that time and gave me the confidence to dream big. It is because of them that I am now in the United States pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Wright State University. Alongside my academic journey, I have passed the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams and am currently involved in clinical research with a focus on neurology. I am working toward a future where I can combine clinical care with public health to serve communities and promote health equity. Sadly, my father passed away from a heart attack before he had the chance to see me enter medical school. I know in my heart he would have been incredibly proud. His memory drives me to continue this journey, not only for myself, but for every person I hope to help through medicine and public health. If I could take my mother on a dream vacation, I would bring her somewhere peaceful and surrounded by nature, maybe a place filled with trees, fresh air, and mountains, where she, my brother, my sister, and I could be together. I know she would love to sit with us, admire the view, and simply enjoy being with her children. To her, the greatest joy would be that moment of togetherness.