Year 3

Purpose. I have never felt more aligned with my purpose and career goals than I have this past year.

 Through my Honors experiences, I discovered a strong desire to pursue a career in global health. My Underserved and Global Health course explored critical issues such as culture, economics, diplomacy, and infectious diseases. Dr. Mersha transformed how I approach global health by presenting diverse perspectives—from local physicians to UC faculty—on topics including communicable and non-communicable diseases, nonprofit leadership, and the complex interplay between social and environmental health factors. This seminar inspired me to advocate for health equity and approach problems with a more holistic, systems-level mindset.

My second formative experience was serving as treasurer for the UC chapter of MEDLIFE. In this role, I had the privilege of helping organize a service-learning trip to Lima, Peru, where I worked alongside local physicians, pharmacists, and dentists to establish mobile clinics in underserved rural communities. I took vitals, managed patient intake forms, and helped distribute medications under supervision. While shadowing professionals, I witnessed firsthand how language barriers, supply shortages, and limited transportation disrupt continuity of care.

One moment that left a lasting impression was comforting a young girl terrified of the dental chair. I offered her a translated picture book to calm her fears. Though I couldn’t fix her toothache, I could ease her anxiety. That interaction reminded me that trust is just as critical as treatment. It solidified my passion for medicine as a tool for equity—one that requires cultural humility, adaptability, and deep respect for community knowledge. It also deepened my commitment to advocating for sustainable, community-led healthcare models beyond borders.

In my final year at UC, I hope to complete my senior service capstone by partnering with a nonprofit focused on global health disparities. As I begin my journey to become a physician, I carry with me the lessons from my coursework and the stories of those I’ve served. I aspire to pursue a career in global health where I can lead community-based teams to improve access to early interventions in under-resourced areas—ensuring that the same grace and resilience I witnessed in Peru become not the exception, but the standard in medicine everywhere.