Rotary Scholarship Applications

• Service Above Self
• Merit
• Bigelow

My introduction to medicine began in The Dalles, a two-hour bus ride from Portland. On the ride to the community health clinic, I remember being surprised by how isolated it was from the houses and other businesses in the area, yet still overcrowded with patients. During the day, I rotated through different parts of the clinic, taking turns shadowing different staff members, all overworked yet navigating their patient load skillfully.
What I remember most distinctly from the day is sitting in on patient check-ins with an internal medicine physician, observing how the doctor balanced the clinical and emotional needs of each patient, whether during physical exams or virtual consultations, and noted the necessity of personal connection in caring for rural communities.
Looking back, I’m grateful that my first clinical experience gave me a firsthand look at the challenges of providing healthcare in underfunded, rural areas—a reality often overlooked in popular depictions of medicine. Observing the shortage of rural medical professionals firsthand, I grew motivated to advocate for better resources in underserved communities. It was this experience that initially interested me in working in the field of rural medicine, and further set me on a path of individually exploring healthcare disparities.
Through my time as a healthcare volunteer at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and OHSU, I’ve gained direct insight into the social determinants of health and how they disproportionately affect different populations. In response, during my time at the hospital, I managed the 2023 Gifts for Good christmas fundraiser to raise money to buy gifts on behalf of low-income families and for children located in-patient care during the holidays.
Most recently, I volunteered at a clinic in Detroit where I gained interest in working in the field of addiction medicine, a largely understaffed medical specialty whose physician representation worsens when looking at rural areas, despite the unwaveringly high need for addiction treatment in rural towns.
In the future, I aim to not only provide essential healthcare services to rural communities but also challenge common misconceptions surrounding addiction through medical care, public education, and policy advocacy. Through the essential communication, critical-thinking, and character skills I’ve built through my community service, I hope to become an informed and thoughtful member of the healthcare community in the future.

Growing up in a single-parent household, my father worked full-time, leaving me the responsibility of taking care of my two younger siblings. As a high school student, this responsibility initially felt like a barrier to my educational engagement, yet over time it’s driven me to develop strong resilience and time management skills necessary for success. In navigating different challenges, I’ve learned how to balance my personal responsibilities with my passions and academic goals.
Growing up, looking after my younger siblings created significant time restraints. While many students participated in internships, sports, or volunteer opportunities after school, I was often picking up my younger siblings from school or helping with homework or preparing meals at home, ensuring that they were safe and well-cared for. I limited myself from taking advanced or AP level courses until I was a junior because my brother hadn’t started school yet, and without being able to rely on after-school programming I couldn’t have met the demanding coursework requirements.
As a result, I often couldn’t engage with experiences that may have enhanced my academic profile. In a highly competitive academic environment, this felt like a significant setback. Throughout my first few years of high school, I felt torn between fulfilling my family responsibilities and striving for academic success.
Yet in recognizing that my circumstances didn’t define my potential, I found unique ways to pursue my passion for healthcare. I began volunteering at clinics close to home, choosing shifts that didn’t conflict with my responsibilities. Whether volunteering, shadowing, or attending online lectures, I dedicated whatever time I had outside of my family obligations to pursue opportunities in medicine. In learning more about the healthcare field, I realized that the empathy, time management, and problem-solving skills I developed in caring for my siblings could directly translate to qualities needed in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, I gained strong time-management skills, helping me maintain my GPA despite added responsibilities.
Ultimately, in balancing family and academic obligations and career ambitions, I’ve gained skills that will help me succeed in the future. My experiences have not only deepened my passion for healthcare but also strengthened my motivation to continue pursuing my goals and helped me build resilience.

At this point in time, I've received all of my college decisions and committed to attend Oregon State University Honors College studying Public Health on a pre-medical track with a minor in psychology.

Additionally, I applied to a myriad of different schools. In state, I applied to the U of O Clark Honors College, Portland State University Honors College, and Reed College, all of which I was accepted to.

Out-of state, I applied to a handful of BS/MD programs, including those at the University of Cincinnati, Case Western Reserve University, the University of Tulsa, Syracuse University, Rensselear Polytechnic University, SUNY Stony Brook, and more. While I was accepted to the respective undergraduate institutions, I was not accepted to the individualized BS/MD programs.

Additionally, I applied to but was rejected from Brown University, Columbia College, and Johns Hopkins University.

Per the scholarship office at Oregon State University, I've received a presidential scholarship granting me $10k towards tuition annually renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. Beyond this, I do not retain any additional scholarship funding towards my education at this point in time.