When I decided to pursue the Army Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP), I would've never guessed I would still be in uniform.

Having grown up in Queens, New York to Haitian immigrants, I was unfamiliar with the military but realized the opportunity it would afford me to pursue my dreams of becoming a doctor and practice humanitarian medicine.

Serving as an active duty physician has equipped me with invaluable life experiences and training. I have traveled the world, cared for underserved populations and worked with amazing leaders.

I have been able to solidify my clinical skills by practicing in austere settings and grown as a leader in my own right.

I have also learned to be adaptable, embrace change and bloom where planted. I now have the honor to help mentor and train future military physicians.

Some of my personal interests have been to address racism in medicine by training culturally conscious physicians; and to empower and support those underrepresented minorities in medicine to reach for the stars.

My career thus far has been more than I ever imagined. Although I have since finished my time in the Army, I have subsequently continued to serve as an active duty physician in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. I am excited to continue my journey as a Uniformed Medical Officer.