My ultimate goal as a future physician is to become an OB-GYN who not only delivers babies but also delivers safety, dignity, and trust, especially for Black women, who have long been ignored, misdiagnosed, and mistreated by the healthcare system. I want my medical career to be defined not only by my clinical skills but by the relationships I build with my patients and the advocacy I pursue on their behalf. I’ve seen firsthand the gaps in care that Black Americans often face. My father, an immigrant from Cameroon, battled a rare genetic heart condition called ARVC and waited over a year for a heart transplant. I watched as my mother, a small business owner, juggled caring for her four children and supporting her critically ill husband with very little support from the healthcare system. My family’s experience opened my eyes to how isolating and confusing medicine can feel for people of color. When I become a physician, I want my patients, especially those from historically marginalized communities, to feel safe and respected when they walk into my exam room. I want to listen to their stories, honor their pain, and treat them with the dignity they deserve. I want to help rebuild trust between Black communities and healthcare institutions, and ultimately help close the racial disparities that exist in outcomes, access, and treatment. Increasing racial diversity in healthcare is essential, and representation matters. When patients see themselves reflected in their doctors, it fosters trust, communication, and better care. This is especially true in Black communities, where generations of medical mistreatment has left behind deep scars and widespread mistrust. From the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study to modern-day studies showing that Black patients receive less adequate pain management compared to their White counterparts, there is a painful history of systemic neglect and racism that cannot be ignored. A diverse medical workforce brings a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and solutions to a field that must evolve to meet the needs of a diverse population. For example, studies have shown that Black infants are significantly more likely to survive when cared for by Black physicians. Black patients are also more likely to follow through with preventative care and treatment plans when their doctor looks like them and understands their background. That kind of trust can’t be taught in a textbook because it comes from shared understanding and representation. Racial diversity in medicine also leads to fairer treatment and more accurate diagnoses. Conditions like sickle cell disease, which predominantly affects Black Americans, are often misunderstood or overlooked by healthcare providers unfamiliar with the population it affects. Additionally, medical school textbooks and curriculums underrepresent how diseases appear on darker skin tones, leading to missed diagnoses for conditions like Lyme disease, eczema, or melanoma. When we prioritize racial diversity in healthcare, we don’t just check a box, we build stronger, healthier communities. We ensure that all voices are heard and that every patient, regardless of their background, receives the respect, empathy, and quality of care they deserve. As a future Black female physician, I want to be a part of the change I’ve always hoped to see. I want young Black girls to see me in a white coat and believe that they belong there, too.