Community Voices

I sent a letter to my representative because medical research is important for discovering new information about people, diseases, cures, and more. As a community health worker, I understand and want to see more health equity for many people including the underserved and underrepresented.

As a first generation Latinx who grew up in a single mother household I experienced period poverty. While in highschool, I was able to persuade the public school district where I attended school to stock up on menstrual products in their bathrooms from 6th grade to 12th grade. I felt passionate about this because there were times in high school where purchasing menstrual products was a financial burden. I am excited that the superintendent of the school district responded promptly and will be implementing menstrual products in all bathrooms. As I apply to medical school this coming year I have understood the importance of being voice of those who are unable to speak or may feel discouraged to speak up.

I entered medicine to work with underserved communities. The reality is that to do that work, you often take a considerable pay cut. The interest rates on my federal student loans are much higher than most home and car loans. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is one reason why I chose to enter medicine. If we don't keep PSLF, many will lose the incentive to work with those who have the greatest need.

I decided to become a doctor to build longitudinal relationships with my patients and with my community so that we can achieve health in its most inclusive definition: physical, mental, and emotional health in the setting of a more equitable society. My family and I have never been rich though, and one of the things that allowed me to pursue my dream was the opportunity to have my loans forgiven.

I am passionate to advocate for patients who are disadvantaged and underserved in medicine. I grew up socioeconomically disadvantaged and in a Spanish-speaking home. I experienced firsthand the disparities that currently exist in the medical field. Because of my background and personal experiences I am eager to be an advocate and positively influence those patients in greater need of a voice. PSLF will provide a feasible pathway for me to be able to provide this service to our constantly changing patient community.

I am Mohammad, a first-generation medical student. I was born and raised by two high school drop-out farmers, my parents, in one of the most primitive parts of the world, a village with no electricity and clean water in Pakistan. I saw unbearable suffering and a lack of accessible health care. I wanted to be part of the solution. The only thing my 7-year-old self knew then was that the United States is a place for the best medical education. So I decided to come to the United States for my medical education. Fast forward 10 years. I came to the United States as soon as I turned 17, alone and with 100 dollars in cash, to become a physician. I knew what I wanted to be, but had no clear path. Today, I am a third year medical student and a United States citizen. I want to work in underserved areas by choice, whether it is a rural area in the United States or South America or Africa. I want to do my part but I might need some help along the way. Government programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness matter to me. Programs such as these will help me ease my mind of the financial burden of obtaining a medical education and concentrate on patient care.