My “why” for pursuing higher education is my children. It is important to me to build a stable foundation for them, but more critically, to model to them that circumstances and relationship status do not define a person’s worth or potential. I became a single mother when I ended my marriage to my children’s father because of domestic violence. I believed so fiercely in their right to a home that was safe— physically, emotionally, psychologically, and developmentally safe— that I knew it was the only reasonable option. When they were one and four, I left the marriage and matriculated to medical school the same year, with dreams of being a pediatrician. My sons began Kindergarten and preschool the same day that I began medical school. I am now about halfway through my physician training and am raising my children by myself. I pay all expenses and have sole custody of them. It is a challenge, like many worthwhile opportunities are, but I would not have it any other way. The experience of being in medical school has been enhanced by being their mother. I have a tangible reminder at home of what I am working toward: to train in a profession that can secure a stable life for us and to demonstrate the importance of education for them. I want my boys to grow into humans who value others, are helpful and kind, and always center that they are members of a community. Being on site at a medical school and being exposed to faculty and members of the healthcare community has provided an amazing environment for them to experience these values in action. Since leaving family violence, my sons have flourished. They have many friends at school, are safe and happy, and earn excellent grades. I am acutely aware that this life would not have been possible for us if I had not taken the leap of faith that I did, and I firmly believe that it will continue to get better and better as I complete my education and reenter the workforce. I am training in pediatrics specifically so that I can help other children be safe and live healthy and fulfilling lives. I want to give back to the community that has done so much for us by practicing locally and providing free medical clinics to under-served families. Being a single mother and facing barriers has been a blessing in disguise because it has cultivated a deep empathy and firsthand understanding of the particular challenges that single parents and especially those living below the poverty line can face in meeting the needs of their children and progressing their careers. Right now I work seven days per week while attending medical school to make sure that my children have every opportunity that children with two parents at home have, but I am confident that one day they will be proud of how hard I have worked. When I walk across that stage, I know they will be cheering me on and they will know how very much I love them.

What I find most challenging about being a single parent in medical school is striking the balance between my studies and spending plenty of quality time with my children. While many single parents have the benefit of co-parenting with a former partner at least part of the time, I am my children's sole parent and exclusive provider. I am attending medical school and training to be a physician with the knowledge that my eventual career will create enhanced financial security for us and with the guiding philosophy that it is important for my children to see me succeeding in education and pursuing bettering myself despite challenges. However, it is not without sacrifice and difficulty. I see this scholarship helping us by providing a desperately-needed financial lifeline so that I can focus on studies with less worry about covering essential basics and making tuition payments. Each less hour spent on working to meet financial obligations is time that I can devote to them, playing, reading, and bonding. We have had to rebuild our family life after leaving domestic violence last year, which was both financially expensive and emotionally draining. Despite that adversity, the children are thriving, safe, happy, and resilient. They have made new friends and community in their school, and we are looking forward to the day that I start medical school in August. This will be a very special day for us as we each mark big milestones on the same day: my oldest child starting Kindergarten, my youngest son starting preschool, and me beginning medical school. Aside from my own passion for medicine, based in a love of science and a lifelong penchant for problem-solving combined with the desire to serve others, I am excited about the stability that this career can afford me and my children. I feel confident that once I have my medical degree in hand, I will be able to provide a secure life for us, including earning enough money to one day pay for their educations in turn. It is difficult to be a single parent and many times I have sacrificed meeting my own basic needs to ensure that my children have access to enrichment opportunities such as swim lessons and attending friends' birthday parties. I dream of a day when I am settled in my career and no longer feel stress and dread when the bills are due. I dream of my children having all of the same opportunities to grow into educated and well-rounded individuals that children growing up in dual-parent households can take for granted. With these funds, I can complete my degree and show my children that despite difficult circumstances, what we can dream we can achieve, as long as we are willing to work hard for it and remain adaptive. My children are the most important thing in my life and I am doing this just as much for them as for myself and my community. It has not been easy to leave family violence, navigate the family court system, keep my children safe, and attune to all of their needs (physical, health, emotional, social, spiritual, educational, and developmental) by myself. However, it is an honor to be their mother and I hope that I make them proud by prioritizing my education. I cannot wait to see their faces when I walk across the stage after earning my white coat.