From a young age, I understood what it meant to be vulnerable in the healthcare system. Born a month premature, I spent much of my early childhood in and out of hospitals, battling various health issues. My experiences as a patient shaped my empathy and understanding of the fear, uncertainty, and hope that children and their families feel when facing medical challenges. Growing up as the youngest of seven children in a large and loving family, I also had the privilege of watching over my five nieces and one nephew. Their laughter, curiosity, and resilience remind me daily of the importance of protecting and advocating for children’s health. My journey to pediatric medicine was solidified during nursing school when I spent three months on an oncology unit. There, I witnessed the courage of young patients battling cancer, the unwavering love of their families, and the dedication of medical professionals who provided more than just treatment—they provided hope. I saw firsthand how doctors and nurses became pillars of strength, offering comfort and joy in the midst of unthinkable hardship. It was in those moments that I realized my calling: to devote my career to pediatric medicine, ensuring that no child faces illness alone. Every child deserves not only the best medical care but also a support system that nurtures their spirit and allows them to experience the joys of childhood, even in the face of illness. Medicine is more than a profession; it is a promise to stand beside these children and their families, to celebrate their milestones, and to fight for their well-being. My goal is to be a physician who not only treats but uplifts, educates, and advocates for children and their families. Whether it is through groundbreaking treatments, compassionate bedside care, or supporting families through the most challenging times, my mission is to be a source of strength and healing. Beyond treating illness, I am passionate about helping children live fulfilling and happy lives. A child’s health is not just about physical well-being but also about fostering joy, curiosity, and the ability to experience life to the fullest. I want to ensure that every child, regardless of their diagnosis, has the chance to learn, play, dream, and create meaningful memories with their loved ones. Whether that means helping a child manage chronic pain so they can return to school, providing emotional support for families navigating a difficult diagnosis, or simply making a child smile during a tough day, I am committed to making a difference in their lives. Noah’s story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the impact that medical professionals can have on a child's life. His journey, like that of so many brave young patients, fuels my determination to specialize in pediatric medicine. Every child deserves a future filled with hope, laughter, and the opportunity to thrive, and I am committed to making that future a reality.

Success, to me, is the ability to create meaningful change despite adversity. It is not defined by wealth or prestige but by the impact I have on my community and the lives I touch. My journey to medical school has been marked by challenges—poverty, loss, and systemic barriers—but overcoming these obstacles has only strengthened my resolve to become a physician dedicated to serving marginalized communities. Growing up in Oakland,CA I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of healthcare disparities. My family battled homelessness, and my father, stepmother, and best friend suffered from preventable illnesses due to lack of access to quality medical care. These experiences shaped my desire to bridge the gap between underserved populations and the healthcare system. I knew that success for me meant not just earning a degree but becoming a physician who understands, advocates for, and empowers patients who have been overlooked by traditional medical institutions. Self-improvement and self-education have been integral to my success. Throughout my life, I have sought knowledge and personal growth as tools to break through the barriers I faced. Despite financial instability and personal loss, I committed myself to my studies, recognizing that education was the key to not only transforming my own future but also helping others. I dedicated countless hours to learning—both in and outside the classroom—absorbing everything I could about medicine, health, and wellness. Becoming a strength and conditioning coach allowed me to apply this knowledge in real-time, helping individuals improve their physical and mental health while reinforcing my passion for holistic care. My path has not been easy. During my undergraduate years, I faced immense personal hardships—the deaths of loved ones, financial struggles, and the pressure of being my family’s primary source of stability. These challenges pushed me to find healthy outlets, leading me to become a strength and conditioning coach. Through fitness, I discovered a passion for holistic health and preventive care, which further reinforced my commitment to medicine. Every step of my journey has been a testament to resilience, proving that success is not about avoiding hardship but meeting it with determination and growth. Despite these obstacles, I excelled academically. My ability to adapt, self-motivate, and persevere allowed me to succeed in rigorous coursework, even when faced with financial stress and personal tragedy. Being admitted to Touro University Nevada’s medical school was a milestone, but my journey is far from over. Medical school is demanding, both academically and financially. Balancing rigorous coursework with financial burdens is a challenge, but it is one I am willing to take on because I know that my future patients depend on me. Receiving this scholarship would ease my financial strain and allow me to focus on becoming the best physician I can be for the communities that need me most. I have made significant progress in my program, expanding my clinical knowledge and reinforcing my dedication to patient-centered care. Every lecture, every clinical experience, and every late night spent studying brings me one step closer to my ultimate goal—being a physician who not only heals but also uplifts and educates. My success is defined by my ability to continue growing, learning, and striving to be the best version of myself so that I can give back to those who need me the most. Success, for me, is about service. It is about using my education, my experiences, and my passion to create a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. This scholarship is not just financial assistance; it is an investment in a future doctor who is committed to making a difference. By supporting my journey, this opportunity will allow me to further my education, refine my skills, and ultimately fulfill my purpose of serving and advocating for underserved communities. My passion, perseverance, and commitment to self-improvement will continue to guide me toward success—not just for myself, but for the countless lives I hope to impact as a physician.

If I could give my younger self advice about navigating obstacles on the pathway to medical school, I would say: "Your struggles will shape you, not define you. Stay resilient, stay focused, and never let doubt—yours or others'—deter you from your dream." Growing up in Oakland, California, I witnessed firsthand the effects of poverty, crime, and systemic inequities on my community. My family’s struggles with homelessness were a defining part of my childhood. I remember nights spent in motels, shelters, or even our old blue Honda Civic. When we finally found stable housing, it coincided with my father’s decision to turn his life around. But as he worked to rebuild, his health began to fail, suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia—conditions that had already claimed the lives of my grandparents. I watched my father search for a Black doctor, someone he felt could truly understand him. His struggle to find culturally competent care ignited a passion in me: I wanted to be the physician my community needed. The journey to medical school was anything but easy. As an undergraduate, I endured personal hardships that tested my resilience—losing my cousin to gun violence, my stepmother to a heart attack, my brother to the prison system, and my best friend to suicide. These experiences, though painful, reinforced my calling to medicine. I found solace and purpose in health and wellness, becoming a fitness coach to help others take control of their health. But the road ahead remained challenging. Advisors doubted my ability to get into medical school due to my age, financial constraints, and undergraduate grades. I was encouraged to take an alternate path and initially pursued a nurse practitioner program. Yet, every experience I had reaffirmed my original goal: to become a physician who would bridge the gap between marginalized communities and the healthcare system. Today, I am a medical student at Touro University Nevada, committed to providing compassionate, culturally competent care to underserved populations. Medical school demands everything of me—time, energy, and financial resources. The rigorous coursework and clinical training are intense, but I remind myself daily why I started this journey. The sacrifices are worth it if it means I can be the doctor my father once searched for, the doctor my stepmother needed, and the doctor my best friend never had. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: The obstacles you face are not roadblocks but steppingstones. Every challenge—whether it be financial hardship, personal loss, or self-doubt—is an opportunity for growth. Seek support when you need it, stay true to your mission, and remember that representation in medicine matters. The journey will be long, but the impact you will have on your community will make every struggle worthwhile.