Why I chose dermatology by Jade

Why I chose dermatology by Jade - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

For a long time I have struggled with feeling insecure about my skin. I was faced with acne, excema, and I even was diagnosed with Pityriasis rosea. Anytime I would research similar skin issues that I had, there never seemed to be any resources from black skin particularly. I have went through the struggle of trying various skin care products that were only meant to damage my skin more. Anytime I would see commercials for the skin care products I tried they would always be fair toned or white people displayed. Growing up as a young black girl also decreased my confidence because there was a lack of appreciation for darker toned people. I didn't have a role model or someone that I could look up to that looked like me. Because of this issue I began researching ingredients that are beneficial for people with melanin. Furthering my research made me realize that there were other people in the world who could be facing the same issue that I was having. I began experimenting different products in hopes of one day starting my own skin care brand that would be inclusive for ALL skin care types especially black people. I want to be able to further my research in university about what is beneficial for all skin tones and be able to publicly advertise and all inclusive solution. Health practitioners are responsible for allowing their patients to feel included and appreciated when it comes to feeling comfortable in their own skin. Being a leader means that you are making an impact not only on yourself but on the world.

My goals of becoming a dermatologist and developing a skin care line also aim to provide healthcare to underserved communities, especially since I was a part of an underserved community. Some ways I want to reach this goal are improving health outcomes. This goal involves working to ensure that individuals in underserved communities receive appropriate and effective healthcare. I want to focus on providing preventative care, managing chronic conditions, or addressing other health issues specific to the community. I also want to build trust and engagement. In some underserved communities, there may be a lack of trust in healthcare providers or a reluctance to seek care. Building trust and engagement with community members can help to overcome these barriers. I aim work to establish relationships with community leaders, hold health education sessions, or engage in other outreach efforts. This leads into addressing the social determinants of health. Many factors outside of the healthcare system can impact health outcomes, such as access to healthy food, safe housing, and economic opportunity. Addressing these social determinants of health can be an important part of providing healthcare to underserved communities.I think it would be beneficial to partner with other organizations as well. Collaborating with other organizations, such as community groups, non-profits, or government agencies, can help to amplify my efforts and increase my impact. I also want to partner with organizations to host health fairs, provide health screenings, or deliver other services.

Ultimately, my specific goals will depend on the needs of the community I will be working with and the resources available to me. It can be helpful to work with community members to identify their most pressing healthcare needs and develop a plan of action from there.