My name is Charmi Patel. I am a first-generation college student at the University of South Carolina (UofSC). In May 2025, I will graduate with a major in biology and a minor in medical humanities and culture. I am pursuing my GLD on the research pathway.

 

               From a young age, I have always wanted to work in the healthcare field and to bring back to my family and community, that has given so much to me. My goal in medicine is to bridge the gap of diversity and accessibility seen in medicine. My parents immigrated to the United States from India, hoping to build a better life together. Being raised in a rural town in Georgia, my values were shaped by the obstacles my parents and relatives had overcome, shaping me into who I am today. Being the oldest daughter in my family, I recognize the importance of being a role model to my younger siblings, just as my parents were to many who came to the United States. With the hopes of building a brighter future, my parents created a strong foundation for our family to pursue our goals. Their role motivated me to pursue my passions, leading me to medicine. My goal in medicine is to bridge the gap of diversity and accessibility seen in medicine

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               Coming to Columbia, South Carolina and attending UofSC, I began my academic journey on the pre-med-track. However, as I refined my goals to align with my ambitions, I learned about many health professions, leading me to the Physician Assistant (PA) track. This shift in my academic journey instilled a newfound confidence in me, motivating me to focus on my future goals.

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               I began this new part of my journey by connecting with students on a path similar to mine through the pre-PA organization on campus called Association of Pre-PA Students (APPAS). From there, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the role of a PA and how I could fit into it in my own way. This led me to shadow PAs in multiple specialties, such as dermatology and pediatrics. Also, I began to work with PAs and physicians, whether as a medical assistant or through working in Peru on a medical internship. My experiences made me realize my desire to join this profession due to the compassion and teamwork PAs exhibit in providing optimal patient care. It assured me that this path aligned with my goals in medicine.

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               This E-Portfolio is a reflection of my journey through college. It allows me to show reflect back on goals and the type of provider I want to become. Being a first-generation Indian, my goal as a future provider is to bridge the gap of diversity and accessibility, especially to those in rural communities, as seen in my 3 key insights. My goals to help provide and address the issue gaining abdicate healthcare resources seen in my leadership . Witnessing the lack of sociability and diversity in rural communities toward health care drove me to medicine. As my parents were the source of information to many of their family and friends, I want to be that to my community and family, who have given so much to get me to where I am today.