Waking up, getting dressed for the day, and opening social media in the hopes of finding content that brings you happiness, only to be gutted by heartbreaking news once more is exhausting; the premonition of seeing another mass shooting, another senseless act of violence that has wrenched lives away, is a regrettably familiar feeling. For some, it's just another statistic. But for me, gun violence has left a permanent mark. As a 19 year old I've lost many family and friends to this crisis. The aftermath of death and injury due to gun violence leaves a mental stain on affected family members. I often felt a sense of hopelessness, wanting to make a difference but believing my efforts were never enough. Growing up in a generation where gun violence is at an all-time high, it's important to raise awareness and educate the public to help avert future incidents from occurring, saving many lives. As a trauma surgeon this is exactly what I will do. Trauma surgery is more than a profession; it is a calling that allows me to directly combat the impact of gun violence in my community. As a trauma surgeon, I would not only have the ability to save lives in critical moments but also advocate for systemic change in public health. Becoming a trauma surgeon gives me the unique opportunity to treat patients who have been affected physically by this issue while also advocating for change in public health concerns like gun violence. Advocacy on senseless gun violence is essential to the struggle for reform. One of the fundamental requirements for bringing about change in the impacted areas is the link between public health and medicine. This integration is what I am interested in the most. In addition to focusing on issues that seem to be overlooked yet have a significant impact on patients, as a doctor I want to develop and promote change on issues that I believe concern everyone. Trauma surgery is a rigorous specialty to go into due to the amount of effort you must put in and the daunting schedule that goes along with it. This is a commitment I'll gladly take on, if this means that I can advocate for change and be there to assist patients at the most critical time of their lives. There are many ways one can help others, but this is the career I feel the most passionate about. My experiences have shaped my passion for medicine, and I intend to use my career not only to heal but to advocate, educate, and prevent further loss.