“You are so lucky,” my roommate said, stopping mid-conversation one day. I was surprised, especially as we were discussing my long and frustrating diagnostic journey with an autoimmune disease. Four years, dozens of doctors, and several misdiagnoses later, “luck” was the last word I would have chosen to describe my experience. My roommate continued, explaining how a mutual friend had spent over a decade struggling to get diagnosed with a similar condition—and even longer to receive appropriate treatment. The difference, she pointed out, was the color of our skin. In this moment, I realized the stark inequality that exists within the medical field—where biases related to gender, race, disability status, class, and body size can shape the care a patient receives. Many people are dismissed, ignored, or not taken seriously, leading to delays in diagnosis and, ultimately, worse health outcomes. My own experience was a sobering reminder that although I faced challenges as a woman in a larger body, my access to care was facilitated by my race and class. I had the privilege of being able to see multiple doctors until I received proper treatment. Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality for everyone. This insight shaped my desire to enter the healthcare field and advocate for equity in treatment. As an occupational therapist, I will have the opportunity to directly intervene on behalf of my patients, particularly those from marginalized communities. Whether it’s ensuring a person with a disability has access to necessary spaces or adapting activities to accommodate religious or cultural practices—like modifying positions for prayer—I will be committed to considering every aspect of my patients' identities. Beyond assisting in activities of daily living, my role will be to challenge the biases that persist within healthcare systems and to advocate for more inclusive and compassionate care. I plan to use my platform as a healthcare professional to educate my colleagues on the importance of cultural competence, inclusive practices, and the need to question assumptions that often undermine patient care. Through my career in occupational therapy, I hope to create a more equitable healthcare experience for all individuals, especially those who are often overlooked. My aim is to make a positive impact by ensuring that all people, regardless of their identity, have the opportunity to receive the care they deserve. Through an emphasis on disability justice, equity, and inclusion, I will make a positive impact on the world: one client at a time.

Medicine is the most diverse and intriguing profession one could pursue. It requires the tactile proficiency of a musician, the communication skills of a poet, and the thirst for knowledge of a scholar. I became invested in the medical field in 8th grade after attending a CPR class, and now I cannot picture myself being anything other than a doctor. The most captivating aspect of being a physician is diagnostic skills and the ability to promote healthier lives. I love puzzles. During my last school break, my mother and I completed a 1000 piece periodic table of elements puzzle. We sat in silence for hours, sorting and organizing, and putting pieces together. In the medical field, you learn signs and symptoms. You find out what is normal, and isolate what is not. From that, you can gain a complete picture. In my own life, I have struggled with misdiagnosis, and I know the frustration when you cannot find the solution to your pain. I want to be a doctor that listens closely and carefully, who takes her time, and puts all the symptoms together piece by piece. My passion has always been to invest in the public health of a community. In middle school, I convinced my parents to fund my first venture into community public health. I titled the project, “Help Her Needs'' and created feminine hygiene care packages with personalized notes, which were eventually shipped to aid Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. My passion for public health has continued through high school. Through my work as the current President of the Non-profit The Health Advocacy and Medical Exploration Society (HAMES), I co-wrote NJ Assembly Bill A4484, which requires students to get CPR training to obtain their driving learner’s permits. Through this legislation, I hope to empower a generation of students to take the health of their friends and families into their hands. Through our Advanced Clinical Triage Squad (called ACTS), I have had the opportunity to learn about medicine hands-on. Through ACTS, I provided free medical support services to local nonprofit events, such as Light the Night for the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With the ACTS squad, I have earned my Emergency Medical Responder (EMR certification), Basic Life Support (BLS), and CPR instructor certification. Studying in the STEM field will enable me to become the physician I desire to be.

Community involvement fosters mutual understanding and respect for all individuals within it. When we help each other, our capacity for empathy and compassion grows. My passion has always been to invest in the public health of a community. In middle school, I convinced my parents to fund my first venture into community public health. I titled the project “Help Her Needs'' and created feminine hygiene care packages with personalized notes, which were eventually shipped to aid Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico. My passion for public health has continued through high school. Through my work as the current President of the Non-profit The Health Advocacy and Medical Exploration Society (HAMES), and collaborating with NJ Assemblypeople Joan Downey and Eric Houghtaling, I co-wrote NJ Assembly Bill A4484, which requires students to get CPR training to obtain their driving learner’s permits. Through this legislation, I hope to empower a generation of students to take their friend's and families' health into their hands. I plan to continue to help my community through my future career as a doctor, working with patients to meet their individual needs. I believe that the only way to truly defer disease is by enacting a community approach, and my experience in public health now will fuel my latter journey.