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"How has your journey with CF shaped the problems you want to solve and the impact you hope to have on others?"

Growing up with cystic fibrosis meant spending much of my childhood in clinics, where providers became familiar faces and visits became routine. I learned early how to manage treatments, keep up with appointments, and navigate a healthcare system that was always part of my life. I also learned that care is not just about treatment; it is about communication, access, and trust. Those experiences shaped how I view medicine and the kind of provider I hope to become. As my health stabilized, I began to recognize gaps in care that were harder to see as a child. I noticed how much coordination it took to access specialized services and how easily important details could fall through the cracks. During my undergraduate studies, I explored healthcare disparities more formally and came to better understand how access, geography, and fragmented care directly impact patients, including those with cystic fibrosis. Now, as a young woman with cystic fibrosis who hopes to become a mother, I am facing questions I was never fully prepared for. Advances in care have made longer, healthier lives possible, but the healthcare system has not always kept pace. One of the most significant gaps I have experienced is in reproductive counseling. Questions about fertility, pregnancy, and family planning are no longer distant concerns, yet guidance is often limited or delayed. I have found myself trying to piece together information on my own, unsure of what applies to me and what my future could realistically look like. That uncertainty has shown me how critical it is for patients to receive clear, timely, and proactive guidance. These experiences led me to pursue physician assistant training. I am drawn to the role because it emphasizes patient relationships, education, and continuity of care. I am currently working on my master's thesis on reproductive counseling in cystic fibrosis, focusing on the gap between evolving treatments and clinical practice. This work reflects both my academic interests and my personal experiences, and it has strengthened my commitment to improving care for others facing similar uncertainty. Outside of the classroom, I remain connected to the cystic fibrosis community as a team leader for Lexi's Wish, a fundraiser team. In this role, I help raise awareness, support research efforts, and engage others in the mission to improve outcomes for those living with cystic fibrosis. My goal as a future PA is to provide care that goes beyond managing disease. I want to ensure patients with cystic fibrosis receive proactive, comprehensive counseling so they can make informed decisions about their health and their futures. I hope to improve access to counseling, strengthen transitions across care, and advocate for a healthcare system that better reflects the evolving realities of cystic fibrosis. Support from this scholarship will allow me to continue this work and further my ability to improve care for others living with cystic fibrosis.