Beylul’s journey to a career in medicine was defined by her early experience in a refugee clinic, where she connected with a former prisoner of war and advocated for his much-needed migraine treatment. This pivotal interaction ignited her passion for serving disadvantaged populations, a commitment that has threaded through her professional path. Whether teaching students with special needs, assisting prison inmates in the Bronx, aiding African refugees, or supporting atrisk teens in the ER, Beylul has consistently encountered the recurring issue of individuals feeling unheard. Her deep empathy and sacrifice-driven upbringing have fueled her dedication to cultural competency and sensitivity, essential components in building trust in historically disenfranchised communities. Beylul envisions healthcare to make a lasting impact, fostering holistic and transformative care tailored to the needs of underserved communities, while fostering sustainable solutions beyond the confines of a doctor’s visit. Beylul is entering her first year at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

Kelsey’s background as the child of Jamaican immigrants has deeply influenced her path toward becoming a physician. Her yearly visits to Jamaica allowed her to witness the struggles people faced due to limited access to medical care. Kelsey’s personal connection to her grandfather’s journey to the United States for cancer treatment illuminated the significance of accessible healthcare. Inspired by her mother’s stories about the lack of gynecological care in rural Jamaica, Kelsey is driven to serve immigrant communities and those with limited access to healthcare. Kelsey is determined to become a physician in an underserved area to continue building a safe and educational space for communities like her own to seek medical care. Kelsey is entering her first year at New York Medical College.

Niaya’s early exposure to health disparities in underserved areas strongly impacted her journey to becoming a physician. Memories of the SMILEmobiles Program, a program that provided dental care to underserved children, left a lasting impression on her. Witnessing her friends struggle with access to proper healthcare and relying on emergency rooms for primary care fueled her determination to make a difference. Niaya’s vision for her medical career is rooted in addressing these inequities. She aspires to open a practice in an underserved area, offering free or low-cost care while focusing on patient education and breaking down cultural barriers to understanding. Her ambition extends beyond the clinic, as she plans to create a non-profit organization to support aspiring medical professionals from various backgrounds, reflecting her commitment to providing mentorship and guidance. Niaya is now beginning her first year at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the University at Buffalo.

Stephanie’s journey into medical school has flourished over the past year, fueled by a transformative experience. Her interest in ophthalmology was sparked by the book ‘Second Suns’, which chronicled the inspiring tale of two doctors dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness in remote South Asian regions. Following an elective surgery to correct a childhood ptosis-related condition, Stephanie’s personal connection to the field deepened. Her master’s thesis research on stem cell applications for sight restoration unveiled the profound impact of eye disease on individuals worldwide, especially those lacking access to essential eye care services. Stephanie’s commitment to addressing these disparities led her to shadow a uveitis specialist and volunteer at a local eye clinic, which fostered her determination to serve underserved communities and mentor aspiring students of color on their path to medical school. Stephanie is now entering her first year at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Emmaly’s path to becoming a physician has been intricately woven with impactful moments that have shaped her journey. At a young age, she witnessed EMTs aid her Spanish-speaking grandmother; the way they bridged language barriers to provide care ignited Emmaly’s desire to make a difference in her community. She then became an EMT, where she sought to give back while exploring her passion for medicine. Emmaly’s yearning for deeper patient connections propelled her to become a medical scribe in a bustling emergency department, exposing her to the compassionate, transformative role of physicians. This journey ultimately brought her to the BRIDGES program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where she is also beginning her first year of medical school. Emmaly’s narrative underscores her determination, cultural identity and profound commitment to a future dedicated to healing and service.

Kelsey’s journey in medicine has been marked by a deep commitment to serving underserved communities. During her first year of medical school, she enrolled in an elective course titled Health in the Neighborhood, which fostered integration between medical students and a historically underserved Black community in Buffalo’s east side. Through this experience, she learned of the profound impact of social determinants, unveiling the significance of addressing factors like healthcare accessibility and nutrition for holistic patient care. Kelsey’s dedication to patient education is evident as she interacts with community members, offering tangible solutions to their healthcare needs. Her passion has intensified during clerkships, as she encountered patients seeking a provider who shared their background. Kelsey empowered patients with knowledge; notably, she has advocated for equitable diabetes management tools for all, transcending the role of a traditional physician. This remarkable journey showcased Kelsey’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity, awareness, and improving representation in the field of medicine. Kelsey is entering her fourth year at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the University at Buffalo.

As a child of Nigerian immigrants, Afeesat has had first-hand experience of the struggles to reach a standing of comfortable living. Growing up in a low-income, medically underserved community and attending an underfunded public high school in New York City, Afeesat experienced educational and economic challenges. Despite these setbacks, Afeesat has learned valuable lessons from her life experiences, such as determination and perseverance. Afeesat is passionate about giving back to her community and believes pursuing a career in medicine will equip her with the tools to have a positive impact on the lives of others. Afeesat is entering her first year at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Angelia first became interested in medicine while learning about the cardiovascular system in a ninth-grade biology course. During her senior year of high school, she became a first-time caregiver for her mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer. At a young age, Angelia learned the importance of quality care and patient advocacy when she had to advocate for herself and her mother. While living in an underserved community, her surroundings helped her recognize that many people in her community may not know how or are afraid to advocate for themselves. Angelia made it her mission to become an advocate and demonstrated this throughout her work as a medical assistant. As a future physician, Angelia wants each patient to be heard, feel important and be educated without feeling belittled or deterred from seeking medical care. Angelia is entering her first year at Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the University at Buffalo.

From a young age, John witnessed structural barriers that contribute to health inequity. Raised as a language and cultural broker for his family, while navigating experiences in the United States he learned that strong ties to social environment have a significant impact on one’s wellbeing. While John’s early environment and experiences instilled in him an interest in serving others, his later experiences with medicine linked this desire to serve and help others in a profession that fulfilled these interests. John hopes to become a physician who recognizes the complexities that influence health and address them in practice. John is beginning his second year at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Lalita learned the importance of diversity in medicine while working as a family nurse practitioner and providing care to immigrants, illegal citizens, uninsured and underrepresented people in her community. Her experiences working as a nurse practitioner in underserved areas revealed how these communities need both quality care and more representation in medicine. Lalita plans to work in areas with high HPSA scores in New York State and to develop, implement and operate a comprehensive federal medical home that offers family medicine, internal medicine, dental, basic imaging services and pediatric care services. Lalita is entering her first year at Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the University at Buffalo.

As an undergraduate student at Amherst, Oumou learned of the compounding effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the systemic barriers disadvantaged groups face. This knowledge caused her to reflect inward on her own experiences and recognize the shortcomings of the American healthcare system. Studying the relationship between zip codes and health status, Oumou learned of the adverse health outcomes for minorities exacerbated by systemic inequalities. In her career, she hopes to provide quality and equitable care to vulnerable populations. Oumou is entering her second year at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Ricardo’s passion for science began at an early age. With an interest in becoming an astronaut, he quickly became enamored with the field of medicine during a trip to Mexico where he spent a lot of time with his grandparents. Ricardo saw his grandparents’ health deteriorate due to not fully understanding their illness and not having access to appropriate care due to finances or location. He vowed to become a physician that would increase the health literacy of his patients and mitigate the barriers that patients face in acquiring quality care. Ricardo is entering his second year of medical school at New York Medical College.