I Want To Pursue My Passion For Medicine

The skills necessary to pursue my passion for medicine and service to others have been cultivated, developed, and enhanced through my experiences. From my upbringing as a Hispanic living in poverty to my experiences working with diverse people to the hardships I faced as a young mother, I believe I possess the compassion, cultural competence, and determination to be a great physician. I have learned and grown from these experiences and challenges that have shaped my character and confirmed my suitability for medicine.

As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse, the need for culturally competent physicians is essential. Diversity signifies understanding and respecting individual differences in all aspects including race, ethnicity,

Growing up, my family lacked the advantage of having access to primary care. Living in a cramped two-bedroom house with seven of my relatives—immigrants who struggled to find work—purchasing insurance was out of our reach. When my uncle began experiencing constant migraines and unexplained fatigue, without the guidance of a primary care physician, all he could do was take over-the-counter pain relieving medication, masking his severe underlying condition. At the age of 26, he suffered an aneurysm that led to a stroke. He was gone, leaving a three-year-old daughter and young wife behind. Sadly, tragedies like this are not uncommon among underserved groups of people facing economic, cultural, or linguistic barriers to health care. This experience has emphasized my respect and understanding of the obstacles underprivileged people face, intensifying my compassion and fueling my desire to make a difference in someone’s life. I realize making primary care more accessible is essential in improving the quality of health care, especially providing services to underserved populations who are in need of altruistic and compassionate

Raising a child is a demanding and stressful activity for parents at any age. However, being a young mother and attending college present many unique challenges, both personally and academically. Balancing schoolwork and familial responsibilities, managing time effectively, and being organized are extremely difficult tasks, especially since babies require constant attention. People told me it would be too hard, that I could not be a mother and finish college. After all, no one in my family had accomplished this feat. My mother dropped out of college her first semester when she was pregnant with me, as did her mother before her. I had to make a choice: continue in this vicious cycle or work even harder to be a role model for my daughter. The stereotypes about young moms, having failed careers, failed relationships and living in poverty diminished my confidence. Through sacrifice and many sleepless nights, I rose above the stigma and obstacles, obtaining my bachelor’s degree. I mastered the ‘art of juggling’ by prioritizing tasks, planning and managing my time wisely, studying effectively, accepting support from loved ones, and squeezing in family bonding time. These skills will enable me to balance the many components of medical school, such as the rigorous coursework, extensive studying, clinical involvement, and research endeavors, and my familial duties. Noticing the upward