I am a first-generation college graduate within my familial circle, I am an Underrepresented Minority (URM) of both Hispanic and West Indian descent, and I went against my family’s traditions and married outside of my race at the age of 18 and have been happily married for the past 9 years. I matriculated into medical school as a Registered Nurse of 5 years. 6 months before entering medical school, the biggest tragedy of my Iife occurred, where I unexpectedly lost my father and biggest supporter of my dreams and had to assist my mom and family emotionally and physically as I was embracing the harsh nature of first year as an OMS-I.

Being an ethnically mixed female that sought to go down a non-traditional path of becoming a Nurse first and then pursuing her dream of one day becoming a physician, has not been a smooth-sailing journey. There have been many obstacles that I have had to fight through and rise above. However, I possess a distinct set of skills, that combined with the education gained through medical school, can only aid in fostering a more adept clinician that can thoroughly care for the patients that I encounter, while also uniquely connecting with them due to my experiences.