Growing up in rural Delaware, my family and I didn’t always have the luxury of financial security. My parents’ ability to support us took a hit in 2020 when my mother, a CNA, stopped working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next year, my father, the primary provider in our household, had to stop working because of chronic back pain. Our already low income financial situation changed dramatically, and suddenly the future felt uncertain. Both of my parents did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education—my father did not graduate high school, and my mother holds only a high school diploma—making me a first-generation college student, determined to break the cycle and create a better future for myself and my family. But rather than seeing it as a setback, I used it as fuel to push forward. Determined to rise above, I took it upon myself to ensure my academic success, by excelling in my academics, earning leadership positions in high school and inevitably becoming Valedictorian, knowing that it was the key to securing a better future. This determination ultimately led me to Vanderbilt University—my dream school—where I now work toward my goal of becoming a Physician Assistant in OB/GYN. As a Black woman, I am deeply passionate about addressing the racial disparities in healthcare that disproportionately affect women who look like me. These disparities have been made all too clear to me, both through my own experiences and the stories of those around me. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to enter a field where I could promote health, advocate for marginalized communities, and work toward health equity—specifically in women’s health. After seeing my father’s repeated struggles with health complications and navigating a healthcare system that often seemed indifferent to his needs, my drive to become a healthcare provider only grew stronger. I saw firsthand how much systemic issues can impact the quality of care someone receives, and that deeply influenced my decision to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant in OB/GYN. At Vanderbilt, I am pursuing a double major in Medicine, Health, and Society and Gender and Sexuality Studies. These fields align with my passion for improving healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities, particularly Black women. Through my studies, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and the intersectional factors that impact women’s health, which will further equip me to address the disparities I am committed to changing as a future Physician Assistant. In the future, I envision myself working to reduce the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the United States. Black women are three to four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, and that is a statistic that I cannot ignore. I want to be a part of the solution. As a Physician Assistant in OB/GYN, I’ll advocate for women of color, ensuring they receive the compassionate care they deserve. This journey is deeply personal for me—not only because of the disparities I have personally faced but because of the lives I’ve seen impacted by inadequate care. I also hope to add to the small but growing demographic of Black female Physician Assistants. There is a need for more representation, and I want to be a part of that change. My upbringing in rural Delaware taught me that opportunities are often limited, but they are never out of reach. I learned to fight for what I wanted, knowing that I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself to push through. My family’s struggles with financial insecurity, coupled with my drive to make something of myself, gave me a perspective that I carry into everything I do. It’s what pushed me to work as a Clinical Support Technician while in high school, seeing the health disparities that so often affect people in my community. Working in the hospital has shown me how poor nutrition and unhealthy habits directly affect patients' health, particularly the Black women I encounter. These experiences only motivate me more to pursue my career in healthcare and use my platform to make a real difference. The financial support of the Eric W. Larson Memorial STEM Scholarship will significantly ease the burden of tuition and other costs, allowing me to focus on excelling in my coursework and gaining hands-on experience in the medical field. The opportunity to attend a top-tier institution like Vanderbilt will help me grow in a way that prepares me to make an impact in women’s health and healthcare disparities. This scholarship will allow me to pursue my passion without the constant worry of how to make ends meet, giving me the chance to fully immerse myself in my studies and community service. From my childhood in Delaware to my acceptance at Vanderbilt University across the country to Nashville, my journey has been one of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. The challenges I’ve faced have shaped me into someone who knows the value of hard work, the importance of advocating for others, and the necessity of representation in every field. As I continue my studies in healthcare, I am determined to use my voice and my skills to address the healthcare disparities that affect Black women and marginalized communities. Through this scholarship, I will be able to focus on my future goals without the burden of financial stress, allowing me to create the impact I know I am capable of. My future as a Physician Assistant in OB/GYN is just the beginning of a lifelong journey to make a difference in women’s health and work toward health equity.

As a Black woman with aspirations to enter the medical field and become a Physician Assistant in women's health, I am deeply aware of the injustices faced by people who look like me in healthcare settings, whether in a hospital bed or at a doctor’s office. I am driven by a passion to make a meaningful difference in how Black women are treated in these environments and am committed to promoting health equity within our community. The troubling reality is that Black women continue to face disproportionately high risks of complications or death during childbirth. This mortality rate deeply affects me, too, as a Black woman who intends to start a family in the future, and it further strengthens my dedication to improving women’s healthcare. In my role as a Clinical Support Technician at my local hospital, I have firsthand accounts of how communication and collaboration influences patient outcomes. Working with doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff to provide seamless care has shown me how vital effective communication is in building trust and ensuring patients feel heard. These experiences have shaped my goal to become a PA who actively listens, not only to what patients say but also to what they may not feel comfortable saying. In a healthcare system where Black women’s concerns are often overlooked or dismissed, creating a safe, empathetic environment is a priority that I intend to uphold in my future practice. Empathy is not only about understanding a patient’s feelings but also about advocating for their rights and needs. Joining the Planned Parenthood club on my college campus has been another step in this journey. Tennessee’s restrictive laws on women’s bodily autonomy can make it challenging for women to access the care and support they need. By joining this organization, I aim to support women on campus and in the Nashville metro area, offering them the resources and solidarity they deserve. This role has taught me the importance of standing by others, especially when systemic barriers make it difficult for them to stand up for themselves. I am learning to be a voice for those who feel silenced, a skill I know will be essential as a PA dedicated to advocating for all women facing inequities in healthcare. In addition to communication and empathy, I am developing my leadership skills, knowing they will be vital in a role where I hope to inspire trust and promote change. Healthcare is not just about treating symptoms; it is about addressing root causes, both medical and societal. The high rates of Black maternal mortality and complications in childbirth are more than just numbers to me—they reflect lives affected by a lack of support, advocacy, and equitable care. As I continue on my path, I strive to be a PA who not only treats patients but also works to dismantle the barriers that contribute to these disparities. A PA is not simply a "mini-doctor"; PAs are their own entity, offering unique and essential contributions to healthcare. The work of PAs should never be downplayed or viewed as a substitute for doctors. PAs bring a balance of medical expertise, patient-centered care, and flexibility to healthcare teams, which enables them to address patients’ needs in a distinct and valuable way. My journey toward becoming a PA is grounded in communication, empathy, leadership, and drive, qualities that I believe will allow me to make a positive impact in healthcare. An impactful PA doesn’t just heal; they champion equity, advocate for change, and work tirelessly to give every patient the care they deserve. This is the kind of Physician Assistant I aspire to be.

As a Black Woman who has aspirations to go into the medical field and has future goals to become a Physician assistant, I am deeply concerned about the treatment of people who look like me in healthcare settings – whether it is in a hospital bed or in a doctor's office. I am highly passionate about making a difference in how Black women are negatively treated in healthcare, and hope to promote Health Equity among women in the Black Community. At first glance, it would be odd to compare Veganism to Health Equity among Women of Color, more specifically Black Women. However, the two topics are more similar than one may think. Veganism is a way of life for many individuals, and it is for a good reason. It is a lifestyle that seeks to minimize harm to animals and promote sustainable living through plant-based diets. On the other hand, Health Equity is the pursuit of equal access to quality healthcare and the removal of health disparities among different populations. It is not widely known, but Black women often face disproportionate disparities in healthcare access and outcomes compared to non-Black women, due to various socioeconomic and systemic factors. The intersection of veganism and health equity can be found in plant-based diets which are used to improve overall health and reduce the burden of chronic diseases that disproportionately affect Black women. Health conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, are high among the population. By promoting veganism and improving access to nutritious plant-based foods in underserved communities, we can work towards reducing health disparities and achieving health equity for all. To be fair, I am not vegan, but I have taken the initiative to cut animal products, especially dairy out of my everyday palate, which is highly influenced by those who practice Veganism. After all, I am also a Black woman, and I need to be aware of my health. Each day after school, I work as a Clinical Support Technician at my local hospital and see firsthand the consequences of unhealthy eating on patients' weight, health, and overall well-being. Many of the Black female patients on my floor in the hospital come in with the previously listed diseases. It makes me more aware of my aspirations to become a Physician Assistant in the future who can advise their patients on proper nutrition before they reach a state of no return. Veganism is one of the first steps to having a healthy diet, and Health Equity among Black women is a concept that goes hand in hand with it.