While being a woman in medicine might not seem like something extraordinary, working as a woman specifically in orthopedics is quite rare. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, only 6.5% of practicing orthopedic surgeons are currently female (2019). As an individual aspiring to specialize in this field, I know that I will be in the minority. However, I feel adamant that my experiences as a woman in sports will bring a diverse perspective and unique set of experiences to the table. I and many others have unfortunately been treated differently as an athlete throughout my career simply because of my gender. I can speak to the physical, mental, and emotional toll that resulted from such differential treatment. First with my classmates and, eventually as a practitioner, my personal journey enables me to view topics from a distinct perspective. My hope is that sharing my own trials will allow my graduate school peers and professional colleagues to see things from another angle. In the very narrow field in which I hope to specialize, my gender is one way in which I am going to add uniqueness to the field of sports medicine orthopedics. A female leader that has inspired me is speaker, author, and gymnast Sean Johnson. While Sean isn't dedicated to the STEM field. Her balance of tenacity and vulnerability is what I aspire to embody as a woman in medicine. Sean is a decorated gymnast who shares the trials and triumphs of being a woman in highly competitive sports. She is able to balance a family and a business, which I think is crucial to living out your full self as a woman. I truly believe women can have a work-life balance, as the workforce needs our perspective and the household needs our innate nurturing qualities. Sean Johnson also speaks about the importance of faith in her life, a quality that I also hold close to my personal values. Becoming a woman in Orthopedics is going "against the grain" as it is, and hope to inspire future young women to pursue whatever career they are led to, regardless of gender gaps. Personally, I would love to be an advocate for women-dominated sports. As generations pass, and more young females are participating in sports, it is imperative to have female physicians advocate for the more female-dominated sports. I hope to create treatment protocols that are specifically designed for the female anatomy. I am motivated to become a leader in female orthopedic sports medicine and know that I will be able to implement the incredible assets that Sean embodies into medicine. This scholarship would go towards my Master of Biomedical Sciences at Vanderbilt University’s tuition. The tuition at Vanderbilt is quite costly, but I've noticed that attending schools with prestige can lead to greater connections, and Vanderbilt will be the stepping stone in my education to do just that. I feel more determined than ever to pursue a future in medicine in hopes to be able to give back to young female athletes, in the same ways athlete, Sean Johnson inspired me.

As a sixth-grader I transitioned from a petite, spirited redhead to a malnourished looking child; I battled a newly discovered cyst on my brain and lived in constant pain from stomach aches and migraines. Doctors’ appointments became routine. Complicated symptoms resurfaced in high school when I felt like I was fighting the flu, but nothing ever came back positive. Eventually, it got so bad that I had to walk away from high school sports because I was so weak. My health kept declining- I was missing so many days of my spring senior year between being too weak to get out of bed. After extensive medical testing, I found out I was immunodeficient and had an autoimmune disease that was flaring up. I was given medicine and a blood transfusion to help my symptoms. Doctors were apprehensive to allow me to go to college. They mentioned that I wouldn’t be able to do anything physically demanding for at least a year due to kidney and joint damage that incurred. This made me fearful that I wouldn’t be able to become the surgeon I dreamed about since I was 5. The start of my journey as an undergraduate was anything but normal. While I felt weak physically and most likely seemed dull to my classmates, I was just trying to stay afloat as a student managing a chronic illness and rigorous pre-med course load. Thankfully, I am currently in remission and able to live life more fully. Over time and as I mature, these health setbacks have shown me that my “weaknesses” are what make me unique. While my career goals have not changed, my motives behind becoming a physician have become strengthened. I now feel as though when I shadow physicians I am a more empathetic listener and able to put myself in other people’s shoes. I have seen first-hand the importance of uplifting providers who care about the patient's physical, emotional, and mental health while battling an illness. I am motivated to become a physician that genuinely cares about my patients as a whole, not just analyzing their lab work. In addition to my mindset shift, I have personally started annual philanthropy to raise awareness for the 23.5 million Americans with autoimmune diseases. I am proud to advocate for those who are unable to and educate others on these cruel diseases. This scholarship would go towards my Master of Biomedical Sciences at Vanderbilt University’s tuition. The tuition at Vanderbilt is quite costly, but I learned through conducting undergraduate research at the University of Florida on Multiple Sclerosis, the importance of attending a prestigious University in the realm of research. Vanderbilt has various research projects exploring causes and treatments for autoimmune diseases, which will be a great opportunity to volunteer in, as I believe in the power of modern medicine that is discovered through research. Managing my symptoms can be quite costly, making it more challenging to save money for my education, however, I feel more determined than ever to pursue a future in medicine in hopes to be able to give back, helping people in the same ways modern medicine and physicians have for me.