To be in a generation where the LGBTQ+ community has become a place where everyone can be who they are and support one another, my experience in the community has been amazing. As a gay student who faced bullying and homophobia from the boys in middle school, it was often hard to feel truly prideful of who I was and often ashamed to be born this way. Being that single person in the room who was seen as different, isolated, and never truly feeling like you fit in with the rest of the other "boys". Always thinking that I was alone and that no one understood truly what I was going through. But how wrong I was, as I dived through the internet, I found numerous LGBTQ+ forums that I never knew existed. Scrolling through the chats of people my age going through the same thing, with the older generation advising on what to do and truly feeling like you were safe and understood. Even though there wasn't anyone I could talk to in school, I found a community where people took the time to understand my situation and have someone to talk to and feel heard. As my experience with the LGBTQ+ community has been profound, I hope to give back the same love and support through my goal of working in healthcare. As the LGBGTQ+ community has become more widespread and accepted, there are still areas of discrimination happening, especially in healthcare LGBTQ+ people face disturbing rates of healthcare discrimination, being turned away by hospitals, pharmacists, and doctors just for our sexual orientation. All people, no matter their race, gender, wealth, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, should be able to see their doctor without worrying about being mistreated, harassed, or denied service. To fight the discrimination happening in healthcare, it is my goal to become a Physician Assistant and treat patients and prevent discrimination of sexual orientation. I plan to attend a BS/MS Physician Assistant program in college, to work in healthcare and treat patients as fast as possible. Making sure that patients like me will be given the right care and the same attention as those who are not part of the community. From a young age, I always knew that I wanted to work in healthcare. Seeing healthcare workers firsthand treat the pain and suffering of the people has always been an amazing sight to see. Being that person that people in pain can count on, being able to take their pain away and be their light in the darkness. This scholarship is extremely important to me financially. As a first-generation student who comes from a low-income family, the cost of college is something that my family is struggling with. Coming from parents who work tirelessly day and night in minimum wage jobs, this scholarship will lift some of the burden my parents have to go through to put their child through an education, making a big impact on out financial situation. As my journey continues, the LGBGTQ+ community will always be there for me. From facing bullying and isolation in middle school to finding support and understanding online, this experience has fueled my passion to combat discrimination and pursue my goal of making a difference in healthcare.

Growing up, I witnessed the social stigma that many older adults, specifically immigrants, have towards seeing doctors. Like my parents, many immigrants tend to avoid seeing a doctor unless they're truly sick and at a point of severity. Always waving their hand and dismissing their pain, while suffering through everyday thinking that it'll pass eventually. There are many reasons why this may be the case, especially for those who grew up in a developing country where healthcare was not accessible or a corrupt practice; many older generation immigrants who grew up where there were healthcare deserts, grew up to understand and feel a stigma towards medicine. Oftentimes, healthcare was a privilege for those who were wealthy, or even a way for those who were knowledgeable to scam those who were sick out of their money. While there are other cases from cultural differences, and embarrassment, to the very idea of not believing in Western medicine, the social stigma is a threatening issue that needs to be resolved to save the lives of the common people. Preventable diseases and illnesses go undetected for years, leading to severity to a point that leads to serious consequences and even death. The reluctance to see a doctor and get yearly checkups has caused major issues that have a lasting impact on your future years. A minor issue, if addressed early on has now become a life-changing and devastating disease. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which could have been addressed or even prevented with early intervention, can and will become a life-threatening illness. As an aspiring physician assistant, I see this as a great opportunity to bridge the gap between a healthcare provider to those who are reluctant to adhere to Western medicine. As a person who understands and sees the stigma in my family, I understand the beliefs of those who are against getting the help they need. Being that person who others can look to and guide those that have a bias to see the importance of just seeing a doctor for 5 minutes can have. Creating a welcoming environment where questions and concerns can be addressed while playing an active role in community outreach and education initiatives. In my future career as a physician assistant, I hope to create a positive impact in diverse communities and foster cultural competence and understanding of healthcare, to address the social stigma held by those avoiding medicine.