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.

I’m working toward becoming an orthopedic physician assistant because I’m passionate about helping people regain mobility and independence. This goal stems not only from my academic and professional experiences but also from deep personal moments with my patients that changed my outlook on healthcare. Earning my college degree in biology is a vital step toward achieving this goal, and receiving this scholarship would alleviate the financial challenges. My initial interest in healthcare began when I wanted to become a physical therapist (PT). What really drew me in wasn’t just learning about the body, it was getting to talk with patients, build relationships, and support them through their healing journey. I loved the one-on-one connections I made during rehab sessions, learning about their lives, and being a part of their progress. That environment made me realize how meaningful this field is. Through this role, I fell in love with orthopedic medicine. I saw firsthand the impact that musculoskeletal issues, especially following surgery or trauma, have on a person’s quality of life. A major influence behind my shift toward orthopedic medicine was my father. He has a spinal condition known as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), which causes calcification and hardening along the ligaments of the spine. 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 cares. It was during this time that I realized I wanted to be even more involved—not just in rehabilitation but in the diagnosis, surgical assistance, and overall treatment planning process. That revelation led me to the physician assistant path, particularly in orthopedics. I want to assist in surgeries, work alongside orthopedic surgeons, and ensure that 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. My academic journey has been both rewarding and challenging. I am currently majoring in biology and maintain a 3.9 GPA. I’ve worked hard to uphold my academic performance because I know that maintaining scholarships is vital to continuing my education. Balancing school, work, and shadowing opportunities hasn’t been easy, especially as someone from a family with limited financial means. When I had the chance to shadow in anesthesiology, I often had to wake up at 4 or 5 a.m. just to be at the hospital by 6. I would stay for up to 13 hours, eager to absorb as much as I could in a single day. It was difficult to juggle that alongside school and working at the clinic, but I managed, because I knew how important that experience was for building knowledge, gaining clarity about my future in healthcare, and making connections. I’ve never had the opportunity to live on campus or experience college in the traditional sense due to financial limitations, so I made the decision to stay home for all four years of my college journey. Most of my time outside of classes is spent working as a PT technician, a job that is physically demanding and emotionally taxing, but one that I love deeply. I care about each of my patients and do my best to make them feel heard, safe, and encouraged during their visits. My father, despite his spinal condition, works 12-hour shifts nearly every day to support me, my mother, and my siblings. He rarely gets time off and yet never complains, he simply continues to show up, day after day, for our family. It breaks my heart to see him working through his pain just to make sure we’re taken care of. Because of that, I’ve always tried to pay for as many of my own expenses as I can, whether it’s textbooks, transportation, or exam fees, because I want to make things just a little easier for him. He has always given everything to provide for me, and that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Receiving this scholarship would significantly reduce the financial burden on my family. It would allow me to focus more on my studies and professional development, and less on how I’m going to pay for necessary costs like the GRE, my medical assistant license, or daily living expenses. Outside of academics and work, I also volunteer regularly at my temple. I help with food service, cleanup, and preparations for major cultural and religious celebrations such as Diwali, poojas, and Garba. My involvement in these events allows me to stay connected to my community and give back in a meaningful way. It also helps me remember my values that I plan to carry with me as a future healthcare provider. In the future, my goal is not only to become an orthopedic PA, but also to be a part of a movement to improve surgical outcomes and patient care. I want to work in clinical settings where I can help bridge the gap between surgery and recovery, especially for patients who may not have the resources, knowledge, or support to fully recover on their own. Eventually, I hope to advocate for improved preoperative and postoperative care standards, ensuring that patients are fully informed and prepared before undergoing any procedure. I’ve seen too many cases where a lack of clear communication or surgical oversight has led to long-term complications. I want to be the kind of provider who listens, educates, and supports each patient every step of the way. One of the values that has always guided me is the belief in equity in healthcare. I’ve come to understand how deeply socioeconomic status can influence health outcomes. From access to care and nutrition to surgical follow-ups and rehab, patients with fewer financial resources are often left behind. While I don’t have all the answers, I want to be part of the solution. Through my work as a PA, I want to advocate for my patients, push for accessible care, and work toward a future where everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to live a healthy, active life. I’m proud of the work I’ve done so far, but I know I still have a long way to go. With the help of this scholarship, I will be better equipped to take the next steps in my journey, completing my degree, gaining clinical and shadowing hours, preparing for PA school, and eventually becoming the kind of provider my patients can trust

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.