I grew up in a mostly white, middle class, “front-doors-unlocked” safe area with excellent public schools and athletic programs. We had enough diversity of ethnicity and religion that discrimination was a strange concept to me in a lot of ways. For this, I am grateful. With hard work, you could excel, and in our competitive environment, thriving was more common than not. However, my situation was a little different from the standard around me. My parents separated when I was eight years old and I was often left alone with my seven-year-old sister and three-year-old brother, sometimes overnight. The older I get, the more shocked I am by this neglect. It is amazing what children can survive. Our parents loved us and they did their best but they both had their struggles, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

Ultimately, I thrived in my unusual environment. I am the Type A oldest child of divorce: ambitious, organized, and dedicated. These characteristics worked well with my plans to become a physician, a goal I had from a young age. However, due to my parents’ financial issues despite their substantial combined incomes, I had difficulty funding my college education. This ultimately led me to the best decision of my life, joining the Air Force. Today, I am a financially secure physician; I have met my first goal.

My goals now involve finding ways to give back whether through medical care, education, or mentorship. I would rather be active with my time than providing blind donations of money. I am applying to teach anesthesia in South America and attempting a return to school for my Master of Public Health.

It is important to remember that you are never alone. There is always help. We all struggle in our own ways. My personal improvements currently focus on my ability to trust and how to navigate a world that is dichotomous with respect to gender. Learning and growing never stop.