I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of my family and friends, who have been my constant pillars of strength. Their encouragement has carried me through every challenge I have encountered in my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I’m especially appreciative of my mentors, including Marie Thadal, whose guidance has been invaluable throughout my journey from college to medical school.
Also, I feel deeply fortunate for the incredible opportunity to pursue a career in medicine, something I never take for granted. Each day brings new lessons and inspiration, even from the simplest moments, like seeing a smile from a stranger or savoring a cup of green tea. These small joys remind me of the bigger purpose that drives my passion for healthcare.
One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had so far was during a lecture on disability and health disparities. Speaking with individuals from the disabled community was eye-opening, yet I couldn’t help but feel that the three-hour session barely scratched the surface. As someone with close connections to individuals in the disabled community, I realized this critical aspect of healthcare deserved more focused attention.
Motivated by this experience, my friend and I decided to take action. Together, we’re launching an elective at our medical school dedicated to disability health. This elective will feature a series of lectures, interactive panels with disabled individuals, family members, and healthcare professionals, as well as a rich resource hub of readings, videos, and recorded lectures.
Our goal is to help students not only recognize the widespread presence of disabilities but also to engage meaningfully with the experiences of disabled individuals. We aim to equip future physicians with the skills and sensitivity needed to serve this diverse patient population and to raise awareness of disability health across all medical specialties. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this initiative.
Katherine Dinh
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School -Class of 2027
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