My name is Priya Kodenkandath, a recent college graduate, and aspiring physician assistant! I attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where I completed my degree early and earned a major in Integrative Physiology, with a minor in Business. I kept a clinical position and was heavily involved throughout college, dedicated to accruing patient care hours and creating a well-rounded application for PA school. I was born to two Indian immigrants, and the first in my family to graduate from an American university. Many of my summers were spent in my parent's hometown in India, where I kept my cultural heritage and was first inspired to pursue medicine. When I was just 6 years old, my sister was rushed to the emergency room in India after drinking a milkshake, which I didn’t expect to make my sister so sick. After being educated about the different sterilization processes that dairy products and water undergo, I understood that my sister and I do not have a tolerance as the locals do. Although I was young and scared, I was intrigued by the care she received in a developing country's hospital. As I watched my sister get her stomach pumped, an IV inserted, and take antibiotics, the medical team did not let my sister’s care fall through the cracks- despite limited supplies and short staffing. Motivated by the acts of benevolence executed by the providers toward my family, I learned how impactful medicine can be, igniting my desire to become a healthcare provider in areas of need. Flashback to August 2024, when I had just spent one month volunteering in a hospital near my parent's home in India. I learned so much information about healthcare systems outside of the United States and made me grateful for the world of medicine we have today. However, I began to realize how corrupt the system can be, especially in a country like India where health insurance does not exist. It made me think of the millions of people in America who do not have access to basic healthcare. I actively do what I can to give back to the community, such as being a volunteer in various hospitals across Colorado. My most touching experience was when I was asked to be a companion to a little boy that had an extended stay in the hospital, due to his family’s unstable financial situation. Working with him and the hospital staff reminded me of what I’m meant to accomplish on this Earth- being a provider whose passion is to advocate for patients who are unable to do so themselves. As a future physician assistant, I hope to make a positive impact by providing medical care in underdeveloped areas, especially to minority women whose right to reproductive care and sexual health may have been stigmatized. In addition, I would like to be a resource to other first-generation students who have aspirations to work in the healthcare field. Being considered for this scholarship would allow me to do just that, by helping fund my higher education and materials that can be used for future mentoring. I believe I can make a difference as the recipient of this scholarship, and make my parents proud of their first-generation American daughter who accomplished her dream.