In 2012, I was met with many health issues that ultimately led to a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. This, on top of financial difficulties my family was experiencing at the time (and continue to experience), was not easy to live through every day, but it helped me learn more about myself as a person and shaped my future in many positively profound ways. Following the lower endoscopy procedure that led to my diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease, I quickly fell into a pattern of attempting to acclimate to repugnant medications on a weekly basis, which steadily improved my state of health. However, this didn’t occur without occasional adverse reactions, such as increased stomach acidity and suboptimal stool consistency. This led me to experiment with my nutrition by altering my fiber intake and whole food consumption. It also fostered profound discipline and humility in my sport, swimming. For every practice that I was able to swim, I was as productive as possible, because the unpredictable timing of my chronic illness could interfere with the team’s practice schedule. Many times throughout junior high school, I thought I knew what profession I wanted to pursue. I job-shadowed and dabbled in the fields of coaching, architecture, and physics, but none of them felt super meaningful and truly befitting. Then, a couple years ago, I was struck with an epiphany: what better way to utilize my personal experiences, love for science, and commitment to helping others than to enter the field of gastroenterology? This is where I find meaning and purpose. Although there is a lot more to a person than a sport, illness, or grade, the precipitation of adversity is an important factor that molds our dispositions. In this sense, Crohn’s Disease has stimulated my devotion to becoming an innovative representative of gastroenterology, not just for the edification of myself, but for the benefit of others. I am now attending Washington University in St. Louis, where I’ll work hard throughout my studies, so I can effectuate my goal of improving the longevity of people that are facing circumstances that I‘ve experienced. I will utilize this excellent educational opportunity to stimulate my unquenchable thirst for scientific knowledge, and I will dive deeply into WashU’s numerous summer research programs, which will give me clinical experience and insights into many unique cultures around the St. Louis area. This will provide me with an integrative education that will propel my intellectual abilities and prepare me for medical school. One of my biggest aspirations is to be a physician that transcends politics and treats patients in a holistic manner by neglecting the exclusive use of allopathic medicine and by making sure there is a dichotomy of drugs and relationships to treat illnesses. The physician-patient relationship is an essential component of treatment that many people overlook. I know that my personal experiences with IBD, financial difficulties, and educational opportunities from WashU will help me better understand my patients’ humanity and connect with them on a personal level. Holding true to these values and prioritizing patients’ well-being is what qualifies a physician to be deemed successful, and I see my past difficulties as tools capable of helping me attain these standards!

The repetitive splashing of water in the otherwise silent aquatic center while I analyze the stroke of a younger swimmer gives me a great sense of gratification. This weekend endeavor of volunteering for my local club team and giving private lessons to up-and-coming competitive swimmers began last summer. I knew that the team was in low supply of coaches, and I loved the idea of giving back to the community that has supported me so much throughout the past decade. I assumed this leadership position to help kids with their technique, advise them on nutrition/supplementation, and give them strength training tips. I think back upon the time that I was an aspiring swimmer who couldn’t wait to learn more about the sport, and I see an identical disposition in the eyes of the young athletes that I teach. I always wonder what their futures as swimmers will look like. Perhaps one will be an Olympian who will represent our country in ten to fourteen years, or they may dedicate themselves to teaching younger swimmers the importance of the sport, as I have! What does it take to be a great leader, though? Anybody can give kids a random set to do during practice; however, the great leaders are actively involved in their subjects’ performance, whether that be in practice or in competition. Great leaders in this sense are also able to devise effective training methodologies that significantly progress an athlete’s performance. This probably won’t come naturally to most coaches, but it will begin to develop over time if one is dedicated enough. This, in fact, is the greatest attribute of a great leader: they care! Great leaders care so much that they will do whatever is necessary to pave the way for those behind them. I hope that through these lessons, I stimulate athletes’ love for swimming, display the characteristics of a great leader, and inspire younger generations. I know that I am cultivating a passion for swimming that will be passed on for generations to come and providing them with an outlet to express their love for the sport. Because of this, I will definitely continue to pursue this pastime throughout college and into my adult life.