"THUD" was the sound that changed my life forever. Hearing it, floods of different memories erupt from the horrific day I lost my grandfather to a stroke. More than anything, his words resonate with me. Before he went to the bathroom to wash his face, he delivered stern orders: "Stand by the front door and only come in if I call you for anything”, I felt like his bodyguard. He never called, but the thud a few minutes later was all I needed to hear. The day my grandfather passed away, I witnessed the chronic health issues he suffered daily. Difficulty breathing, liver damage, weight fluctuations, etc. all caused by smoking & drinking excessively. Eventually, it caught up to him, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. I didn’t understand the concept of a stroke at that age, which resulted in significant research on various neurological conditions. Years later, my mom's chronic migraines & my dad's hypertension inspired me to pursue the healthcare field more deeply. Navigating the complex healthcare system was challenging for them as first-generation immigrants but I constantly remained at their side, helping and learning as much as possible. Through my family's conditions, I became especially fascinated with neurology. My grandfather was the catalyst for this self-discovery and I want to use that to make a real-world impact. Through my work, I will be able to get fast results & an unmatched sense of fulfillment as I get to help people struggling with similar conditions as my family. My experiences have been crucial to realizing how important healthcare is to me. I am a 2nd-year microbiology major at Miami University. Through volunteering at a local hospital within the surgery department, shadowing 3 different specialties, and working as an ED scribe, I witnessed the intense but fulfilling work of the healthcare team while enhancing my understanding of the medical field. I also learned the importance of a holistic patient-care approach which helps build deep relationships. Emotional understanding and compassion are highly valuable for quality patient care. I want to embody these traits to create quality connections. These life-long relationships are important to me as I will see growth in the patient’s health and in my work as a physician. Through my work, I also want to spread awareness of healthy lifestyles in many underrepresented communities within Ohio such as Hispanic and Asian American communities with similar conditions to my parents. In conclusion, my life experiences have truly shaped my love for medicine, especially as it relates to neurology and healthy living. Without these experiences, these realizations wouldn't have been possible. Medicine is the perfect field for me as it helps me fulfill my lifelong purpose of giving back to the community. With the help of this scholarship, I can continue my undergraduate education and focus on my education. This money will go a long way in relieving the financial burden for my family and allowing me to work towards making positive changes in the world. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.