Family has remained my inspiration and my driving force throughout my life. My family includes two poor but hard-working parents and two brothers whom I never knew. I often wonder about what my siblings might have looked like or what would have made them laugh and cry.
Would my relationship with them have been fierce and protective or perhaps teasingly combative but ultimately loving? I never had the chance to find an answer to these questions because both of my brothers passed away when they were only small infants. The one question that has haunted me perhaps more than any other is if different circumstances might have led to a far better outcome for my family.
Because my parents lacked money, they could not afford the medical bills and thus the treatments that could have saved my brothers’ lives. This question first compelled me toward healthcare. After several rewarding experiences in clinical settings, I know that helping individuals like my brothers is the path I am meant to take. I want to be the best physician possible for them, for my future patients, and for the two young boys who now hold a cherished place in my heart: my sons.
Embarking on my dream in undergraduate school was not easy, but I continuously strived to build a solid foundation for my family’s future. During my initial time as a student at UC-Davis, I balanced the responsibilities of school work, employment, and of supporting a young son. I also became pregnant with my second child, which increased my motivation to make the most of my academic opportunity.
These concurrent responsibilities — combined with the difficulties of the Hepatitis B that afflicts both my sons and me– admittedly took an initial toll on my academic performance. My perseverance and commitment never wavered, however, and in the final months of my studies, my GPA improved steadily. I soon became my family’s first college graduate, leaving Davis with a strong base of knowledge in biological science.
Throughout this journey, I received so much support and participated in many invaluable experiences outside the classroom. When I took the initiative to seek a position within the competitive hematology/oncology lab of Davis, I was amazed and honored when my eventual supervisor, Dr. Lam, offered me the chance to learn more about the crucial science behind medicine. During this formative period, I have familiarized myself with important techniques like cell passages and cell screening. UC-Davis also enabled me to gain enriching hands-on experience in the clinical settings that will inform my future career.
For six 40-hour weeks, I served as a medical assistant in Davis’ internal medicine department. Though my time was brief, I absorbed as much information about common practices, terminology, and techniques as I could. Interacting with the patients, whether they were lying vulnerable on a table or angrily rejecting their medications, only validated my passion for this work. I still remember the pride and happiness I felt when I helped coax the aforementioned angry patient into a calmer state of mind. Via these experiences, I gained a deep appreciation for the efficient teamwork essential for ensuring quality patient care.
It is this supportive, nurturing environment that motivates me to take the next step in my medical aspirations at UC-Davis. I will never forget the caring nature of nearly everyone I met at this school, especially many of the professors I am privileged to call mentors. The beautiful campus and the precise proficiency of the overall school system are wonderful incentives as well. UC-Davis transformed me from someone with a seemingly distant dream to a confident, competent professional with a clear plan and a crystallized vision.
This plan includes continuing my medical school education in the immersive learning environment of UC-Davis. I will seek any opportunity to further develop my medical training, such as my current work as a pediatrics medical assistant. This responsibility has shown me that I can work well with any patient population, so upon graduation I am dedicated to becoming a respected physician in a large, diverse hospital setting.
I would also love to eventually gain a better understanding of gastroenterology through residency and possible fellowship. Due to my family’s personal struggles with Hepatitis B, I can empathize with and aid GI patients on a fundamental level. My ultimate goal for my medical career is simple and unrelenting: I vow to provide the helping, caring hand that my family could never quite find. My grip will be strong, unshakable, and touched by the lingering spirit of four tiny hands.