I chose to pursue a degree in healthcare because of my deep commitment to serving and uplifting others. From an early age, I witnessed the transformative power of human connection and compassion through my passion for dance. Performing for individuals with Alzheimer’s and patients in hospitals taught me that even small gestures, like sharing joy through movement, can have a profound impact on those facing difficult circumstances. These experiences awakened a desire within me to make a positive difference in people’s lives. As I grew older, my involvement in community service, particularly through leadership roles such as Event Logistics Co-chair for FAMU Relay for Life, cemented my dedication to healthcare. This role allowed me to actively support a cause that aligned with my values—improving lives through advocacy and community engagement. I realized that a career in healthcare would allow me to combine my passion for community service with my desire to directly impact individuals’ well-being. I am motivated by the opportunity to provide care, improve quality of life, and develop meaningful connections with those I serve. Pursuing a degree in cardiopulmonary science is my way of turning this passion into a lifelong purpose. As a woman in the healthcare field, I hope to make a positive impact by advocating for equity, addressing healthcare disparities, and empowering underserved communities. My personal background and experiences have shaped my understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized groups, and I am committed to ensuring that all patients—regardless of their socioeconomic status—receive high-quality, compassionate care. In my future role as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, I aspire to treat each patient equitably and with empathy, ensuring that they feel seen, heard, and respected. Additionally, I plan to collaborate with community initiatives to educate and raise awareness about health disparities, particularly in underserved areas. By bridging the gap between healthcare systems and communities, I aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to take charge of their own health. Additionally, as a woman in a field where representation matters, I want to inspire others—particularly young women—to pursue careers in healthcare. I believe that diversity strengthens the healthcare system, and I hope to serve as a role model, demonstrating that women can lead with empathy, resilience, and determination. By embracing challenges and continuously striving for personal and professional growth, I aim to show others the importance of making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. In summary, I hope to create a legacy of care, advocacy, and empowerment in healthcare. My goal is to not only provide excellent patient care but also to address broader social inequities and inspire future generations of healthcare leaders. Through these efforts, I hope to contribute to a healthier, more equitable world.

Narrative medicine plays a crucial role in enhancing expression within the medical field by emphasizing the power of storytelling in patient care and provider well-being. It is a discipline that integrates the art of storytelling into clinical practice, encouraging healthcare providers to understand, interpret, and respond to patients’ stories with empathy and insight. This approach not only deepens the patient-provider relationship but also provides a structured way for medical professionals to express themselves and reflect on their experiences. Narrative medicine empowers patients to express their experiences, emotions, and struggles more fully. Instead of focusing solely on clinical symptoms, it creates a space for patients to share their stories in their own words. This storytelling process helps patients feel heard and validated, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration. For example, a patient describing “feeling trapped” by an illness might reveal not just physical symptoms but also psychological and social challenges. By listening to these narratives, providers gain a holistic understanding of the patient’s needs, allowing for more personalized and compassionate care. Through narrative medicine, patients also gain the tools to make sense of their own experiences. Chronic illness, for instance, can feel disorienting and chaotic. Encouraging patients to share their stories can help them process their journey, find meaning, and regain a sense of agency. For medical professionals, narrative medicine offers a way to express and process the emotional challenges of their work. Medicine is often emotionally taxing—providers witness suffering, death, and difficult ethical dilemmas. Without outlets for expression, these experiences can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional detachment. Narrative practices, such as reflective writing, group storytelling, or patient-case discussions, allow providers to articulate their feelings and find meaning in their work. To protect and bolster expression, individuals in the medical field must foster environments that encourage open dialogue and emotional safety. This begins with active listening—healthcare professionals should create spaces where patients and colleagues feel validated and understood. Incorporating more patient-centered approaches, such as shared decision-making and narrative medicine, ensures that patients’ voices are a central part of their care. On a broader level, narrative medicine fosters a culture of expression within medical institutions. It encourages open dialogue about difficult topics—such as systemic inequities, medical errors, or ethical dilemmas—by creating safe spaces for storytelling. These conversations not only enhance emotional resilience but also inspire innovation and systemic change. Lastly, medical institutions can play a critical role by normalizing and supporting expression. For example, implementing structured opportunities for reflection, such as debriefing sessions after critical events or encouraging journaling, can help practitioners articulate and process their experiences. Additionally, promoting diversity and inclusion within the field amplifies underrepresented voices, ensuring that a broader range of perspectives is heard and respected.

Overcoming fear has been one of my greatest personal challenges. I have struggled extensively with anxiety, self-doubt, and the fear of the unknown, which often led to missed opportunities and overwhelming anxieties. However, through faith, I learned to transform these fears into a source of strength. In moments of uncertainty, I relied heavily on my faith to guide me. Prayer became a refuge where I could express my deepest concerns and find solace. It was through these conversations with God that I began to understand that fear is a false construct—a joy stealer and a time thief. The words of scripture provided me with comfort and reassurance, reminding me of my worth and the strength within me. I also realized the importance of actively instilling positive truths in my life. By affirming who I am and embracing my intrinsic value, I gradually dismantled the power that fear held over me. This shift in mindset was pivotal; I learned that everything starts with how we perceive ourselves and our circumstances. One particular instance stands out when I was faced with a significant opportunity that initially filled me with dread. The fear of failure and inadequacy loomed large, threatening to paralyze me into inaction. In this moment, I turned to prayer, seeking guidance and courage. Through faith, I found the strength to push through my fears and embrace the unknown. I learned to view fear as an opportunity for growth rather than a barrier. By embracing moments of fear, I could use them as fuel for perseverance and resilience. This mindset shift was not easy, but it was transformative. It taught me the importance of being mindful and staying grounded, trusting in God above all else. My journey through fear and faith has been a testament to the power of mindset and belief. By recognizing fear as an illusion, I have reclaimed my joy and time. I now approach challenges with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence, knowing that I am supported by a higher power. In conclusion, relying on my faith has been instrumental in overcoming fear and anxiety. It has empowered me to face the unknown with courage and resilience. By trusting in God and embracing a positive mindset, I have turned obstacles into opportunities for growth and transformation. This experience has not only strengthened my faith but also deepened my understanding of my own capabilities. This journey has reinforced my belief that faith is a tool for navigating life‘s challenges and has inspired me to help others to trust and place their faith in the one.

At the tender age of six, dance became my passion. I could express my love for dance through my elementary school’s prominent dance department. Our dance program has performed for individuals who have Alzheimer’s and for the patients and medical staff in various hospitals. These moments helped magnify the idea that the choreography we showcased was more significant than just movement on a stage. As a department, we could put smiles on the faces of many and touch hearts who often faced adversity. This led to my desire to care for, invest, and immerse myself in my community. On multiple occasions, I’ve partnered with my home church to prepare meals for individuals who face food insecurity. With a neighboring local church, I traveled to an underprivileged city and provided meals for the children. We had the opportunity to play and speak with the young children. I was overjoyed to have made a difference and put a smile on their faces. With the same church, we also worked to clean and organize a Habitat for Humanity store for consumers. During the 2022-2023 school year, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped oversee the events’ operations, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer by the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, promoting healthy lifestyles, informing about cancer, and hosting fundraising events to acquire funding for cancer research. This position also allowed me to improve my leadership skills and fundamental skills regarding the logistics of creating and hosting events. I was overjoyed working in this capacity, especially for the betterment of those with cancer. My heart to give back and serve my community is why I want to become a Healthcare professional. I want to make a difference and impact others’ lives for the better. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to save a life or better one’s life gives me the utmost happiness. Following my undergrad studies, I aim to obtain my Master’s in Physician Assistant working in Women’s Health. With this degree, I want to be an advocate for marginalized individuals. I will develop an understanding of diverse practices and beliefs regarding health. This way, I will provide adequate care to patients and establish a good rapport. I will work alongside community initiatives to educate, empower, and bring awareness to health outcomes in marginalized areas. I believe it is essential to help enhance all patients’ well-being and quality of life, regardless of socioeconomic status. Additionally, I will advocate for women’s health. I will promote preventative care through routine checkups and screenings and educate patients on early detection benefits. Frequently, people of color’s health concerns are not taken seriously or into consideration until it is too late. I will also advocate to address racial disparities in the high mortality rates of childbearing black and brown women and the best prenatal care methods. I will heed and provide a solution to every concern uttered by a patient, remaining teachable and regularly studying. I will enhance my knowledge of beneficial reproductive health, menstrual health, and family planning methods. This will help patients make informed decisions while controlling their treatment plans. Lastly, I intend to advocate for programs that target postpartum mental health.

I am Savannah Jones, a junior pre-cardiopulmonary student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida. I am ambitious, driven, creative, compassionate and an excellent communicator. Some of my favorite ways to express myself creatively are through serving my community, dancing, painting, and writing poetry. I enjoy learning about holistic treatments for illnesses, the female reproductive system, skin, and immunology. I consider myself to be a hard working individual who doesn't shy away from a challenge. During the 2022-2023 school year, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped oversee the events’ operations, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer by the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, promoting healthy lifestyles and informing about cancer. This position also allowed me to improve my leadership skills and fundamental skills regarding the logistics of creating and hosting events. I was overjoyed working in this capacity, especially for the betterment of those with cancer. My heart to give back and serve my community is why I want to become a Health professional. I want to make a difference and impact others’ lives for the better. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to save a life or better one’s life gives me the utmost happiness. I would like to obtain my Master’s in Physician Assistant working in Women’s Health. With this degree, I want to be an advocate for marginalized individuals. I will develop an understanding of diverse practices and beliefs regarding health. This way, I will provide adequate care to patients and establish good rapport. I will work alongside community initiatives to educate, empower, and bring awareness to health outcomes in marginalized areas. I believe it is essential to help enhance all patients’ well-being and quality of life, regardless of socioeconomic status. Additionally, I will advocate for women’s health. I will promote preventative care through routine checkups and screenings and educate patients on early detection benefits. Frequently, people of color's health concerns are not taken seriously or into consideration until it is too late. I will heed and provide a solution to every concern uttered by a patient. I will teachable and regularly study, enhancing my knowledge of beneficial reproductive health, menstrual health, and family planning methods. This will help patients make informed decisions while controlling their treatment plans. I will also advocate to address racial disparities in the high mortality rates of childbearing black and brown women and the best prenatal care methods. I will advocate for programs that target postpartum mental health.

During the 2022-2023 school year, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped oversee the events’ operations, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer by the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, promoting healthy lifestyles, informing about cancer, preventative care and advocating on behalf of the American Cancer society. This position allowed me to improve my leadership skills, fundamental skills and advocacy skills. I was overjoyed working in this capacity, especially for the betterment of those with cancer. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to better one’s life gives me the utmost happiness. My heart to give back and serve my community is why I want to become a healthcare professional. Following my undergraduate studies, I would like to start my healthcare career working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Following that, I would like to obtain my Master’s in Physician Assistant working in Women’s Health. With these degrees and certifications, I want to be an advocate for marginalized individuals. I will develop an understanding of diverse practices and beliefs regarding health. This way, I will provide adequate care to patients and establish good rapport. I will work alongside community initiatives to educate, empower, and bring awareness to health outcomes in marginalized areas. I believe it is essential to help enhance all patients’ well-being and quality of life, regardless of socioeconomic status. Additionally, I will advocate for women’s health. I will promote preventative care through routine checkups and screenings and educate patients on early detection benefits. Frequently, People of color's health concerns are not taken seriously or into consideration until it is too late. I will heed and provide a solution to every concern uttered by a patient. I will teachable and regularly study, enhancing my knowledge of beneficial reproductive health, menstrual health, and family planning methods. This will help patients make informed decisions while controlling their treatment plans. I will also advocate to address racial disparities in the high mortality rates of childbearing black and brown women and the best prenatal care methods. I will advocate for programs that target postpartum mental health. Lastly, I will advocate for diversity and inclusion to establish a representation of more black and brown healthcare professionals.

I am Savannah Jones, a junior pre-cardiopulmonary student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida. At the tender age of six, dance became my passion. I could express my love for dance through my elementary school’s prominent dance department. Our dance program is performed for individuals who have Alzheimer’s and for the patients and medical staff in various hospitals. These moments helped magnify the idea that the choreography we showcased was more significant than just movement on a stage. As a department, we were able to put smiles on the faces of many and touch hearts who often faced adversity. This led to my desire to care for, invest, and immerse myself in my community. On multiple occasions, I’ve partnered with my home church to prepare meals for individuals who face food insecurity. With a neighboring local church, I traveled to an underprivileged city and provided meals for the children. We had the opportunity to play and talk with the young children. I was overjoyed to have made a difference and put a smile on their faces. With the same church, we worked to clean and organize a Habitat for Humanity store for consumers. Through high school, I was allowed to participate in Key Club. This organization was yet another outlet for me to invest in my community. I was able to be a poll worker during the November 3 general election. As poll workers, we served our community and protected our precincts to ensure voters had a great experience. During the 2022-2023 school year, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped oversee the events’ operations, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer by the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, promoting healthy lifestyles and informing about cancer. This position also allowed me to improve my leadership skills and fundamental skills regarding the logistics of creating and hosting events. I was overjoyed working in this capacity, especially for the betterment of those with cancer. My heart to give back and serve my community is why I want to become a Health professional. I want to make a difference and impact others’ lives for the better. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to save a life or better one’s life gives me the utmost happiness. A scholarship will allow me to express myself and my passions. I will complete my goal of changing lives and developing meaningful relationships with others. I want to be challenged and grow as a person in any endeavor. My drive and dedication to become a better person and student will be accomplished through a scholarship. Following my undergrad studies, I would like to start my healthcare career working as a registered respiratory therapist. Following that, I would like to obtain my Master’s in Physician Assistant working in dermatology, women’s health, or cardiology. Attending an HBCU means having a community of like minded individuals supporting one another. Smaller classes yield close bonds with fellow classmates and professors alike. Additionally, in smaller classes students are able to get more personalized attention, assistance and mentorship. HBCUs also highlight the rich history and achievements of African Americans, helping students to feel a better sense of identity and belonging. HBCUs often have a long line of trailblazing leaders and professionals. When you attend an HBCU you become part of that legacy and it pushes you to want to achieve great heights socially, academically, mentally. Additionally, HBCU students are met with a well rounded education, with a plethora of majors and minors to choose from. Lastly, at HBCUs students are normally encouraged to advocate for social change. At my school we have groups such as the NAACP, and Black dems that are outlets for students to voice their opinions and insight social change. At an HBCU we embrace culture, community, leadership, perseverance and a legacy of excellence.

I am Savannah Jones, a Haitian American junior pre-cardiopulmonary student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University hailing from West Palm Beach, Florida. At the tender age of six, dance became my passion. Through my elementary school's prominent dance department I was able to express my love for dance. Our dance program performed for individuals suffering with Alzheimer, and for the patients and medical staff in various hospitals. These moments helped magnify the idea that the choreography we showcased was bigger than just movement on a stage. We as a department were able to put smiles on the faces of many, and touch hearts who oftentimes faced adversity. This led to my desire to care for, invest and immerse myself in my community. On multiple occasions, I’ve partnered with my home church to prepare meals for individuals who face food insecurity. With a neighboring local church, I traveled to an underprivileged city and provided meals for the children. We had the opportunity to play and talk with the young children. I was overjoyed to have made a difference and put a smile on their faces. With the same church, we worked to clean and organize a Habitat for Humanity store for consumers. I was able to be a poll worker during the November 3rd general election. As poll workers, we served our community and protected our precincts to ensure voters had a great experience. During the 2022-2023 school year, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped to oversee operations of events, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer to the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, whilst promoting healthy lifestyles and informing about cancer. This position also allowed me to improve my leadership skills as well as fundamental skills regarding the logistics of creating and hosting events. I was overjoyed working in this capacity, especially for the betterment of those with cancer. My heart to give back and serve my community is a reason why I want to become a Health professional. I want to make a difference and impact others' lives for the better. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to save a life or better one's life gives me the utmost happiness. Receiving a scholarship will grant me the opportunity to express myself and my passions. I want to be challenged and grow as a person in any and all endeavors. My drive and dedication to become a better person and student will surely be accomplished through the aid of a scholarship. Following undergrad I would like to start my healthcare career working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Following that, I would like to obtain my Masters in Physician Assistant working in dermatology, women's health, or cardiology.

At the tender age of six, dance became my passion. I could express my love for dance through my elementary school’s prominent dance department. Our dance program is performed for individuals who have Alzheimer’s and for the patients and medical staff in various hospitals. These moments helped magnify the idea that the choreography we showcased was more significant than just movement on a stage. As a department, we were able to put smiles on the faces of many and touch hearts who often faced adversity. This led to my desire to care for, invest and immerse myself in my community. On multiple occasions, I’ve partnered with my church to prepare meals for individuals who face food insecurity. With a neighboring church, I traveled to an underprivileged city and provided meals for the children. We had the opportunity to play and talk with the young children. I was overjoyed to have made a difference and put a smile on their faces. With the same church, we worked to clean and organize a Habitat for Humanity store for consumers. Through high school, I was allowed to participate in Key Club. This organization was yet another outlet for me to invest in my community. I was able to be a poll worker during the November 3 general election. As poll workers, we served our community and protected our precincts to ensure voters had a great experience. Most recently, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped to oversee the operations of events, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer by the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, whilst promoting healthy lifestyles and informing about cancer. Next, my heart to give back and serve my community is why I want to become a health professional. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to save a life gives me the utmost happiness. I want to make a difference and impact others’ lives for the better. Receiving this scholarship and furthering my education will allow me to express myself and my passions. I will complete my goal of changing lives and developing meaningful relationships with others. I want to be challenged and grow as a person in any endeavor. My drive and dedication to become a better person and student will be accomplished through this scholarship's aid. Lastly, I plan on focusing to become an expert in my specific field. I will gain in-depth knowledge of my field of choice to help me to contribute impactful diagnosis. I believe in continuous learning, I plan to seek diverse opportunities to develop professionally. Whether this be achieved through conferences or furthering my education. I will continue to conduct research through studies, experiments and finding alternative solutions. Next, I plan on actively volunteering and contributing my skills where they are needed. Furthermore, the true impact comes from understanding and addressing the needs of others. I will be empathetic and compassionate towards patients and colleagues alike. I will provide excellent service and strive to make a lasting impact in many lives.

At the tender age of six, dance became my passion. I could express my love for dance through my elementary school’s prominent dance department. Our dance program is performed for individuals who have Alzheimer’s and for the patients and medical staff in various hospitals. These moments helped magnify the idea that the choreography we showcased was more significant than just movement on a stage. As a department, we were able to put smiles on the faces of many and touch hearts who often faced adversity. This led to my desire to care for, invest and immerse myself in my community. On multiple occasions, I’ve partnered with my church to prepare meals for individuals who face food insecurity. With a neighboring church, I traveled to an underprivileged city and provided meals for the children. We had the opportunity to play and talk with the young children. I was overjoyed to have made a difference and put a smile on their faces. With the same church, we worked to clean and organize a Habitat for Humanity store for consumers. Through high school, I was allowed to participate in Key Club. This organization was yet another outlet for me to invest in my community. I was able to be a poll worker during the November 3 general election. As poll workers, we served our community and protected our precincts to ensure voters had a great experience. Most recently, I held a position through FAMU’s Relay for Life as Event Logistics Co-chair. The Relay for Life organization is associated with the American Cancer Society. I helped to oversee the operations of events, plan events, and promote cancer awareness. These events helped to fund money for research and prevention of cancer by the American Cancer Society. This position taught me how to successfully run an event that is fun and educational for our student body, whilst promoting healthy lifestyles and informing about cancer. Next, my heart to give back and serve my community is why I want to become a health professional. Being of service and having the ability to extend my hand to save a life gives me the utmost happiness. I want to make a difference and impact others’ lives for the better. Receiving this scholarship and furthering my education will allow me to express myself and my passions. I will complete my goal of changing lives and developing meaningful relationships with others. I want to be challenged and grow as a person in any endeavor. My drive and dedication to become a better person and student will be accomplished through this scholarship's aid. Lastly, I am fond of experiencing new things, as I never want to remain complacent. I invest in my studies and always strive to challenge myself. Through the accelerated courses I’ve taken, I have learned perseverance. Many days were filled with stress and anxiety, I wanted to throw in the towel, yet I never gave up. I was made aware that success does not come overnight. I knew that giving up would not allow me to reap any benefits. I learned to preserve in the face of adversity.