From a young age I learned to value my mother's perseverance and sacrifice. My mother supported my grandmother and I while working three jobs in Hialeah, Fl. I assumed the responsibility of caring for my grandmother while my mother worked, day in and day out. Although she had little time or money, she would manage, every week, to volunteer in the community with me by her side. As I sit on the threshold of a career in medicine, I am humbly reminded of so many of these early incidents, which define and shape who I am today. Armed with the support of my mother's strength and exposure to some of the best learn educational opportunities that Miami had to offer, I was able to reach far beyond the expectations of my immediate environment. As I grew through meaningful experiences that led me to a choice of career while at the University of Miami, I journeyed through a similar progression of experiences at Howard University College of Medicine that narrowed my specialty choice to Anesthesiology.

One of those experiences was the medical mission trip I was privileged to be a part of to Haiti prior to my third year of medical school. A day did not pass during this mission when I did not feel compassion for this community. The Haitian people have so much resilience and strength despite their devastating living conditions. I was fortunate enough to work closely with the anesthesiologists in the operating room throughout the entire mission trip. I was also able to observe the rapidity with which a patient might deteriorate and how quickly the anesthesiologist had to act. It was both exciting and rewarding to see that our efforts of stabilizing numerous patients succeeded. The practice of keeping patients alive and free of pain during such a difficult time was fascinating to me. During the mission, I also witnessed the impact that the lack of services and resources had on the community's health. I initially went to Haiti to serve a population in great need, never knowing that my life would have been impacted by witnessing the hope they had admist their day-to-day struggles. With a particular interest in international health, I plan to continue to promote awareness of health disparities that face many people globally.

After my trip to Haiti and during clinical rotations I realized that my most fulfilling moments were being in the operating room. Specifically, I was more fascinated by the medicine behind keeping the patient stabilized and free of pain. Anesthesiology is tightly intertwined amongst most specialties of medicine. Whether caring for an obstetric patient who is bringing life into the world or stabilizing a critical patient, the attentiveness and intricacies that form the dynamic relationship between physiology and pharmacology intrigue me. Also, I find the prospect of practicing medicine with a diverse population of patients alluring. When I consider my interests and personality, along with my particular attention to detail, I feel that I am well suited for a career in anesthesiology.

I am excited about the opportunity of pursuing a career in anesthesiology. I aspire to join a program that will challenge me and strengthen my drive to not only learn anesthesiology, but to teach others as well. With the clinical training I receive, as well as the compassion and congeniality I exude, I will own the responsibility to relieve pain and support my patients during the most critical moments of their lives. As I continue on this journey I strive to become a knowledgeable physician, adept anesthesiologist, and an effective educator. I know that my passion and dedication to patients as well as to learning will serve me well in my future endeavors to ultimately becoming a well-rounded physician.