Finding out that I had a 50% chance of being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an incurable disease with a reduced life expectancy, came as a shock to my younger self. This uncertain time taught me the importance of a good relationship between patients and healthcare staff. From the unwavering support and quality healthcare I received, I have been inspired to treat patients and provide them with the same level of care to guide them and their families through what can be a difficult journey.

I shadowed the MDT at a GP where I saw how a mix of problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence was important in maintaining the integrity of the medical practice. I was inspired most by the multitasking abilities of the physicians who, despite being faced with emergency appointments and language barriers, took the time to understand what the patients were dealing with and devised workable solutions. I mirrored similar analytical skills in a summer school that I was invited to after receiving consecutive gold certificates in national maths challenges. I had to spot patterns under time pressure and worked collaboratively to solve unfamiliar problems.

My volunteer work as a pharmacy dispenser made me realise the prevalent and debilitating effects of hypertension, diabetes and CHD in my area. This insight prompted the start of my biomedical blog, BioBytes, where I research and write about diseases and medications. Through this, I became fascinated with anatomy, where I obtained work experience in a dissection room. I examined human prosections where I learned the significance of paying meticulous attention to detail and was in awe of the complexity of the inner workings of the body.

My understanding of medical ethics deepened through reading "Do No Harm" where the author states how "you realise that the difficulties are all to do with the decision-making". His candour and compassion are qualities I aim to embody as a professional. I further explored the pillars of medical ethics by completing a research paper on 'Gene Editing and its Uses in Healthcare'. I focused on the challenges of germline consent and the prioritisation of treatment and research. It showed that CRISPR technology could cure severely debilitating diseases that lead to poor quality of life. Reflecting on this motivated me to become a compassionate doctor who is committed to the well-being of my patients.

One of the challenges that initially deterred me from wanting to become a medical professional was dealing with the loss of patients. However, I chose to explore this by volunteering in a cardiac ward as a ward befriender. I ensured that patients had a pleasant hospital stay by spending time with them and assisting with daily tasks. During my time here, I was inspired by the effective communication skills used by the staff, resulting in my own use of various communication methods with patients of differing needs. After making bonds with those patients, it was difficult to say goodbye after they were discharged, but I have come to accept this as a part of life.

I pride myself on the contributions that I make to my school and the wider community. For example, I run a first aid club to make others aware of common emergencies and how to deal with them. I believe everyone should have access to learning these important skills that could save a life one day. As an advocate for students, I became a member of my local youth council where I worked on initiatives for young people on education, mental health and poverty which has been very rewarding. Alongside the 5 years as a community representative and form captain, I have learnt how to listen to others to advocate for their well-being and learning.

My aspiration to make a positive impact on the lives of others will be a lifelong journey full of challenges and demands. With my thirst for knowledge and an appreciation of the multifaceted nature of medicine, I am confident this vocation is the right one for me.