Why She Went Into Medicine: Three Scholarship Recipients Share Their Stories
From left: Emmanuelle Oliveira, Bianca Rochelle, and Emily Warda
In recognition of Women in Medicine Month, the AMA Foundation is highlighting three Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship recipients and the experiences that inspired them to pursue careers in medicine.
From personal experiences with illness and loss to witnessing limited access to health care in their communities, each found her own reason to answer the call to care.
Emmanuelle Oliveira | University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
For Emmanuelle Oliveira, her interest in medicine comes from personal experiences with pregnancy, motherhood and loss, including the loss of her mother to ovarian cancer.
“My interest in medicine is deeply personal. I have experienced both the joy and challenges of pregnancy and motherhood, including pregnancy loss, and I lost my mother to ovarian cancer at age 58. Those experiences profoundly shaped my perspective and compassion, inspiring me to pursue a career where I can support women through some of the most meaningful, vulnerable, and life-changing moments of their lives.”
Bianca Rochelle | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Growing up in rural Arkansas, Bianca Rochelle saw firsthand how limited access to health care can affect individuals and families. She chose medicine as a way to combine her interests in science, advocacy and service.
“Growing up in rural Arkansas, I saw firsthand how limited access to health care can affect individuals and families. I was inspired to pursue medicine because I wanted to combine science, advocacy, and service to help improve health outcomes in underserved communities.”
Emily Warda | University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Emily Warda first became interested in medicine as a child after her grandmother gave her a world map highlighting the work of Doctors Without Borders. Later, losing family members to illness strengthened her desire to become a physician.
“When I was a child, my grandmother gave me a world map produced by Doctors Without Borders that highlighted the work physicians were doing around the globe. It was my first memory of wanting to be a doctor and sparked my interest in medicine. I grew up fascinated by the opportunity to serve, but it was not until I lost various family members to illness that I felt a permanent draw to the profession.”
Supporting Future Physicians
The AMA Foundation is proud to support Emmanuelle, Bianca and Emily as they continue their medical education and prepare for careers caring for patients and communities. Through its scholarship programs, the AMA Foundation provides financial support to medical students across the country and invests in the future of medicine.