What inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field was my family. Growing up, I witnessed the toll that chronic illness, surgery, and recovery can take on the people you love. I helped care for my grandfather, who had undergone a triple bypass and two hip surgeries. From physical therapy exercises to wound care, I often stepped in when no one else could. While it was hard work, it never felt like a burden, but it felt like purpose. I often found myself in the role of caregiver, not out of obligation, but because I genuinely wanted to help make things easier for them. These early experiences sparked my interest in understanding the human body, to learn how to heal, and to be someone that patients can rely on during their most vulnerable moments. My father has a condition called Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH), which causes abnormal calcification of the spine. I’ve watched him struggle with stiffness, limited mobility, and chronic pain. Watching him work daily with increasing discomfort sparked my curiosity and desire to understand more about how to improve his mobility and overall well-being. I began researching the condition, consulting physical therapists, and reading medical articles to better understand his plan of care. It was during this time that I realized I wanted to be even more involved. Originally, I thought physical therapy would be the right path for me. I loved the patient interaction and the opportunity to help people regain strength and independence. I worked as a physical therapy technician, and those experiences confirmed my love for working in healthcare. However, over time, I realized I wanted to have a broader impact and play a more active role in diagnosis and treatment decisions. That’s what led me to pursue a career as a physician assistant (PA). Seeing the challenges my father faced, along with my growing passion for musculoskeletal care, inspired me to pursue orthopedics, a specialty where I could play a critical role in both surgical procedures and patient recovery. I hope to work closely with orthopedic surgeons to ensure patients are not only receiving quality care in the operating room but are also supported throughout their recovery. Too often, I have seen patients suffer from poor surgical outcomes. Whether it’s due to rushed procedures, lack of communication, or insufficient preoperative education, the result can be devastating, especially for patients who are older, obese, or unmotivated. I’ve worked with many patients who simply want to regain the ability to play with their grandchildren, go on walks, or live independently. It’s heartbreaking to see how a single surgical complication can set them back months or years. I want to be part of changing that story. Ultimately, I want to use my career to help close the gaps I’ve seen in healthcare, whether that’s access, understanding, or just making sure people feel truly cared for. I know what it’s like when families don’t have the right support system, and I want to be someone who changes that. Whether it’s helping patients recover fully after surgery, or just being a source of trust and comfort. I hope to make a real difference by treating every patient like family, because that’s where my inspiration began.

This scholarship money would help me in my journey to obtain a degree in Kinesiology so that I am a prime candidate for the Doctoral Physical Therapy Program, where I can continue my education as a physical therapist. After completing my education as a Physical Therapist, I plan to specialize in vestibular therapy. I believe it is important to invest in my education and attend the best university for the future of my career. I am the youngest of 4 children which have put an additional burden to pave my way to college. This money would give me access to an abundance of resources to pursue my career goals. As a student from a low-income family, I face significant financial barriers when trying to pursue higher education, such as paying for tuition, books, and other expenses. This could also hinder my choice of school and housing which could alter my college experience. The scholarship can help to alleviate a little bit of these financial burdens, allowing me to focus on my studies rather than worrying about how I will pay for them.