What drew you to the field of medicine?

Just before high school, I was hospitalized for a spinal fusion to correct scoliosis. The compassion and genuine investment in my recovery from the doctors and nurses astonished me and opened my eyes to a career in medicine and healthcare. While a couple of additional hospitalizations definitely helped reinforce this decision, I also had incredible experiences shadowing local physicians and volunteering at the same children’s hospital where I was a patient. Ultimately, I want to be a doctor because without medicine I would not be here, and I am committed to reciprocating the same level of care I received to future patients. 

What are your future plans?

While I know I want to attend medical school, I have many different interests and I am not sure exactly what field of medicine I want to pursue. Based on my experiences as a patient at a children’s hospital, I am currently drawn to a career in pediatrics. However, through witnessing medically-isolated seniors by volunteering for Meals on Wheels, I also developed a strong interest in public health and am highly interested in how to expand access to medicine to disadvantaged populations. I am looking forward to learning about the different fields of medicine and eventually completing rotations to discover my exact passion.