Taking mental health seriously is a cornerstone of my life as a medical student. I firmly believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and I encourage everyone to dedicate time and resources to it. After all, mental well-being is essential to our overall health and quality of life. As a future medical professional, I recognize that I have unique skills to support those around me who are struggling with mental health challenges. One way I help is through active listening—giving someone my full attention, reflecting on what they’ve shared, and responding with empathy. At the same time, I am mindful of my limitations as a non-professional and as someone navigating my own mental health journey. I always encourage friends to seek additional support, whether from family, support groups, or mental health professionals. I remind them that the more tools they have in their toolbox, the better equipped they’ll be to face life’s many challenges. I am a strong advocate for therapy and encourage everyone who has the means to give it an honest try. Even self-therapy practices like journaling and mindfulness can be transformative. I also work to destigmatize psychiatric medications. My boyfriend often says, “If you break your leg and need a cast or crutches, no one sees it as a personal failure. Psychiatric medications are no different—they’re tools to help you heal.” I share this message whenever I can, hoping to normalize the use of mental health resources. Currently, I am using my studies to explore mental health and substance use patterns in pregnant women, a vulnerable population often overlooked in healthcare. My goal is to become an OB-GYN who provides comprehensive, wrap-around care, with a particular focus on women’s mental health. I want to address the unique challenges women face throughout their lives, from adolescence to motherhood and beyond, offering comfort and support every step of the way. Through my career, I hope to create a safe space where women feel heard, valued, and empowered to prioritize their mental health. By combining my medical training with a deep commitment to emotional support, I aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of those I serve.

Since I was a little girl, my mom has prayed the same prayer over me: “Lord, please bless Taylon. Let her choose her friends wisely. Amen.” For years, I didn’t fully understand why she emphasized this prayer so much. It wasn’t until recently that I realized the profound wisdom behind her words. My mom always told me that the company you keep says more about you than your words or actions ever could. She explained that we are like mirrors, reflecting the people and ideas we surround ourselves with. If you choose to be around kind, ambitious, and positive individuals, you’re more likely to embody those qualities yourself. Conversely, surrounding yourself with negativity can lead you down a path you never intended to take. This lesson has profoundly shaped the person I am today. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to become a physician. My mom, recognizing this dream early on, made it her mission to surround me with people who would not only support but also nurture that aspiration. She went above and beyond to connect me with mentors and role models who could guide me. At her job, she introduced me to physicians, encouraging me to introduce myself to the female doctors, teachers, and mentors I admired. Through her efforts, she not only helped me build a network but also instilled in me a deep respect for science, a love for learning, and the confidence to pursue my goals. Now that I’m older, I see how profoundly the people you surround yourself with can influence your life. Because my mom taught me to seek out friendships that would grow with me, I naturally gravitated toward like-minded individuals in college. The friends I made in my classes and clubs pushed me to get involved in my community, work hard in my studies, and show up for one another when it mattered most. On the other hand, I witnessed how poor friend choices led some of my childhood friends down dark paths filled with challenges. Seeing their struggles was heartbreaking, but it also reinforced the importance of my mom’s teachings. Thanks to my mom’s guidance, I learned how to be a good friend while maintaining healthy boundaries. I was able to support my childhood friends who were going through tough times without compromising my own values or goals. My mom’s wisdom allowed me to encourage others while staying true to myself—a lesson that some adults spend a lifetime trying to learn. I am forever grateful that choosing my friends wisely came naturally to me, thanks to her. I plan to use these funds to further my education and continue working toward my dream of becoming an OB-GYN. As a second-year medical student, I am deeply committed to innovating women’s health and serving historically marginalized communities. I am currently involved in several research projects, including studies on sexual health education for medical students and maternal drug use patterns. These experiences have only strengthened my resolve to make a meaningful impact in the field of women’s health. My mom’s prayers, guidance, and unwavering support have shaped me into the person I am today. With these funds, I will honor her sacrifices by building a future that reflects the values she instilled in me: resilience, compassion, and the courage to dream big.

I have always dreamed of becoming a physician since I was a young girl. My little brother was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when he was born, a genetic disease that disproportionately affects African Americans. I grew up watching him and my mother, his health advocate, be treated differently by doctors because of the color of their skin. As I've gotten older and deeper in my studies, I have seen this disparity firsthand. Students and faculty would regularly make me and other BIPOC students feel out of place not only in the classroom but all over campus. I quickly realized that like many other BIPOC students, I faced unique challenges that were rooted in our country's racist past and history. Regardless, I preserved, just as my little brother has for all these years with his illness. I drew inspiration and strength from him and all the other strong BIPOC people in my life. I realized a long time ago that I had to be the change that I wanted to see not only in my small community but in the world. So I tackled big problems through my studies. I decided to study genetics in honor of my little brother, and I minored in women and gender studies to better understand intersectionalities between race, gender, sexuality, etc. I found amazing mentors that fostered my scientific curiosity and stoked the flames for my passion to make the world a better place for all marginalized peoples. I served as a peer health educator at my school for three years, working to build spaces where students could be comfortable asking questions about their health. I had the opportunity to serve on a panel this last semester focused on bringing health equity to LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students on campus and many other amazing opportunities through my role as a peer health educator. I was called to medicine; I didn't choose this path. I have big plans for the type of physician, advocate, and leader that I want to be. My mission is to bring accessible comprehensive healthcare to all marginalized peoples. I want to call attention to medical racism and discrimination in the healthcare field so that these problems can be addressed. While current doctors and policymakers shy away from these issues, Hispanic and Black patients die at higher rates than White patients from COVID-19, skin cancer goes undiagnosed in people with darker complexions because of outdated medical textbooks, and LGBTQ+ youth continue to have the highest suicide rates. It's time that these issues are not only brought to the light but also solved to better serve these people. The changes that these underserved people need are not happening fast enough. But that's okay, I'm on the way. And I will be the change that I want to see not only for my community but for all marginalized people.