My Patient Journey

Upon moving to the US my father enlisted in the US army; this entailed frequently being thrust into new environments. I initially viewed this as a major challenge but later saw this as an opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. My journey started in the bustling city of Seattle, WA, an area filled with a diverse population. This journey continued as I moved to San Francisco, CA, which has several large Asian communities, followed by time spent in the rural town of Lascassas, Tennessee and finally my high school years spent at a predominantly Black high school in Fayetteville, NC.
After serving in the US military for eleven years, my father injured his spinal cord and was honorably discharged. Such an event radically

I became particularly drawn to pediatrics after shadowing several pediatric doctors of the PICUs and NICUs. The patients I encountered were always joyful and kept a positive outlook even in their declining health. However sometimes a high emotional capacity was necessary for working in a setting such as the PICUs or NICUs. The physicians I shadowed were attentive to the concerns of their patient. In addition, they showcased the ability to extend empathy to both the patient as well as the family of the patient. One thing that became clear was the financial and emotional toll that a devastating illness has on a family. I could relate to the feelings of grief and anxiousness felt by family members of the patients since my father had also been hospitalized several times, often for several weeks at a time. Nevertheless, I enjoyed working with new families and individuals, even in their difficult time. I was inspired by the patients and sought to help them out in any way possible. Through my shadowing experiences and volunteering in a clinical setting, I have come to realize by serving as a pediatric doctor I would be able to empower children I provide care for by helping them to attain a sound body and