What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
I was born a preemie with an initially dire prognosis. While I don’t remember the intense moments of my birth, I do remember the abounding compassion and dedication provided by my healthcare team as I grew older — a team to whom I will forever be grateful.
This early experience sparked my interest in medicine and instilled in me a desire to serve others in a similar way. I found a passion for science in school and merged this with my desire to serve my community, leading me to dive into the medical field – and the rest is history.
Working as an undergraduate researcher at UT Austin helped me uncover my passion for innovation while serving as a medical assistant confirmed my desire to work directly with patients. I hope to grow into a servant-leader in both my profession and community, providing hope to all those in need.
Why did you choose McGovern Medical School?
Being located in the Texas Medical Center I knew that McGovern would provide me the perfect opportunity to explore a plethora of specialties in medicine as well as interact with a diverse patient population. Moreover, my experience speaking with upperclassmen and physicians at McGovern reaffirmed the school’s reputation for being extremely supportive to its students and fostering a highly collaborative environment.
What motivates you?
I am truly honored to have the opportunity to study medicine and interact with patients in a meaningful way. It is my motivation to ensure that every patient, in a time of their vulnerability, gets the healthcare that they need and deserve.
I am extremely grateful to everyone who has supported my journey to medical school thus far. My family, professors, mentors, and patients have greatly inspired me. The lessons they have taught me along the way serve as a constant reminder to grow and strive to meet my potential. I hope to impact others as profoundly as I have been impacted.
Who is your hero?
My mom is my hero. She is the most hardworking and dedicated person that I know. Moreover, she is the kindest and most compassionate person I have ever met not only through her words but also her actions as a teacher and volunteer in our community. She has endlessly supported my brother and me, serving as a constant source of inspiration. I hear countless stories from her students expressing how she has impacted them and helped them find their passion for learning. I aspire to be half the person she is and hope to bring the values she has instilled in me to every patient interaction.
What is your ultimate goal for your career in medicine?
My ultimate goal for my career in medicine is to develop into a compassionate and caring physician that my patients feel comfortable bringing all of their concerns to. Beyond delivering diagnoses and treatment, I want to listen, understand, and build lasting relationships with the people I serve.
What kind of emotions do you feel as you’re beginning medical school?
While I am a bit nervous, I am extremely excited to begin my journey at McGovern. All of my experiences in the medical field thus far have affirmed my love for medicine, and I can’t wait to continue pursuing my passion at McGovern alongside my incredible classmates.
I also feel a great weight of honor and responsibility to care for patients in their times of need and am truly grateful to have the opportunity to develop into a physician ready to carry this weight at McGovern Medical School.
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know my peers and professors throughout the next four years. I am also excited for anatomy lab and having the honor of dissecting my first patient.
If you had to choose a medical specialty right now what would it be and why?
It is incredibly difficult to choose a specialty given that I have truly enjoyed every specialty I have shadowed thus far. However, if I had to choose one, I would choose ophthalmology as it would allow me to work on both preventing loss of sight and restoring patients’ vision. I believe vision to be one of the most valuable senses and it would be extremely rewarding to work alongside patients to provide them the treatment they need.
Additionally, it would allow me the opportunity to both see patients in clinic and perform surgery, engaging in a diverse array of duties and providing comprehensive care for patients.
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