2002, I Immigrated to the United States

¶ … 2002, I immigrated to the United States from Haiti. I completed high school in 2004, and I have since committed myself to my studies, focusing in Biology, with the intention of attending medical school and practicing family medicine. I've spent the last six years advancing through an associates degree program, into my undergraduate degree program, and at the same time, I completed training as a nursing assistant. My educational experiences and technical training have provided me with a combination of hands-on medical knowledge and academic training in the sciences, and I am confident these skills will help me excel in medical school.

Growing up in a rural part of Haiti, I witnessed abject poverty and constant physical suffering, especially among the women and children of my community. As I studied Biology and nursing here in the United States it became more clear to me how much my skills are needed in my home country. Simple improvements in family medical practices and public health, such as immunizations and basic health education, could create infinite improvements in the small villages where people suffer from diseases and infections that rarely occur in the United States. Health issues such as dysentery and food-born illnesses can be decreased through proper education regarding prevention and sanitation. Childhood diseases such a tetanus, polio, and measles can easily be prevented with vaccinations, and maternal and childhood health can be improved through concerted efforts to offer proper nutrition and health services.

Haiti has a long history of violence and economic turmoil, and these issues have been enormously compounded by the earthquake that occurred in early 2010. My people have had to rely on foreign aid, and the rebuilding process has stalled any economic or political improvements. As Haitian-American, it is extremely painful watching my people suffer in conditions that do not exist here in the United States, and I have develop a deep and abiding commitment to work that can change this inequity. Upon completing my medical degree I will return to Haiti to practice family medicine. My hope is that bringing my education and skills back to my community will contribute vital new resources and knowledge, enabling me promote an increase in Haitian-led social change. This process is vital to the growth of our country, as we currently rely to heavily on support from foreign individuals who do not always understand or appreciate our culture.