In the summer of her sophomore year, Gracie Huaman had the fantastic opportunity to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum for medicine hosted at UC Berkeley. This is her remembrance of the event.
As a first-generation student, this was my first time stepping onto a university campus, and I immediately became captivated by it. Surrounded by the lush greenery, beautiful architecture, and state-of-the-art facilities, I was excited to take advantage of all the resources offered to me.
During the two-week stay, I immersed myself in guest lecture discussions and hands-on courses covering various topics, ranging from robotic prosthetics, psychology, osteology, and dentistry.
I took a course on first-aid and emergency medicine, where I learned skills such as CPR, taking vital signs, and basic suturing. To explore the innovative approaches in treatment options, I joined a group project where I outlined research on the effects psilocybin could have on the brain and mental disorders. However, the most impactful moment arose when I had the opportunity to witness a live surgery.
The students filled the lecture hall, and the lights turned dark as the live video feed began. The lead surgeon guided us through an exploratory laparotomy, explaining each step in detail. As it started, I shared the surgeons' excitement, fascinated to see the complexity of the various tissues and organs I’d only read about before. During the three-hour operation, as most students struggled to stay awake or hold their stomachs, I remained completely enthralled and felt I’d found my calling.
From then on, I dedicated myself to advancing my knowledge, volunteering at my local hospital, and challenging myself through rigorous classes. Going to UC Berkeley, even briefly, cemented my passion for medicine and strengthened my determination to overcome any challenge, knowing that opportunities like this await me in my journey to become a doctor.