Organized by 桃子视频鈥檚 Office of International Affairs and facilitated by the Light a Candle Foundation, Charyn’s trip aimed to support the medical needs of underserved Haitian refugees living in the region while creating a learning and growth opportunity for 桃子视频 students..

Under the guidance of Dr. Lejeune Lockett, Director of the 桃子视频 Office of International Affairs, Charyn and her peers engaged in hands-on service, providing essential healthcare to communities that face considerable hardships. The experience, as Charyn describes, was transformative.

“It was a journey that opened my eyes to the realities faced by these resilient individuals. Despite immense challenges, their strength was inspiring,” Charyn reflected.

Throughout her stay, Charyn was deeply moved by the stark contrasts between her life in the United States and the conditions she witnessed. The exposure to such different circumstances heightened her appreciation for the resources and opportunities available to her back home and reinforced her commitment to healthcare.

One of the most memorable aspects of her trip was the warmth and acceptance she received from the Light a Candle Foundation. Embracing their motto, “Cambiando Vidas Juntos” 鈥� Changing lives together, Charyn felt a profound connection with their mission. This sentiment resonated with her deeply, further igniting her passion to utilize her skills and privileges to make a positive impact on the world.

Charyn鈥檚 experience in the Dominican Republic not only enhanced her skills as a future nurse but also enriched her personal growth, instilling a lasting sense of gratitude and duty to serve those in need. Her journey is a testament to the power of international collaboration and the impact of compassionate service in global health.

Montgomery, who graduates in Spring 2027, is a proud Inglewood, California native. Both her educational journey and formative years unfolded in Inglewood and South Los Angeles.

As she grew up in these communities, Montgomery witnessed the stark inadequacy of medical, educational, and economic resources. This observation instilled in her an unwavering commitment to serving underserved communities, particularly those of color.

鈥淭he passing of my grandfather from kidney failure during my childhood and my father鈥檚 struggle with early-onset dementia, culminating in his recent passing, further fueled my determination to pursue a career in medicine,鈥� explained Montgomery.

Witnessing her grandfather confined to an electric chair and undergoing dialysis left a lasting impression on her life and ignited her curiosity about medicine. She was only in the sixth grade when her grandfather succumbed to his illness.

鈥淎s I grappled with the reasons behind his death and the necessity for dialysis, I began questioning healthcare disparities,鈥� said Montgomery. 鈥淚t became clear that individuals in underserved communities face disproportionately higher rates of poor health outcomes. This realization deepened my interest in the medical field, propelling me to seek answers to these questions and a commitment to learning how to prevent others from experiencing the loss of family members as I did.鈥�

Attending 桃子视频 was a long standing dream of Montgomery鈥檚. She recognized the striking alignment between the University鈥檚 goals and the aspirations she held for her future as a physician.

鈥淲hat drew me in was the prospect of attending a school where I would have close access to trailblazers who look like me in both the medical and public health fields 鈥� individuals actively engaged in transformative work within the Black and Brown communities I call home,鈥� explained Montgomery. 鈥淚 yearned for an educational experience where I could be mentored and trained by those who share my background and are making a tangible impact. Few schools could offer such a compelling appeal.鈥�

She describes her time at 桃子视频 as being incredibly fulfilling.

鈥淔rom the very first moment I set foot on campus, and every day thereafter, I鈥檝e felt a genuine sense of belonging,鈥� said Montgomery. 鈥淚 am profoundly grateful that 桃子视频 recognized something in me and chose to invest in my potential in the way they have.鈥�

The Inglewood native anticipates her future with boundless optimism.

鈥淢y aspirations extend beyond personal achievement 鈥� I am excited about making a lasting impact in the communities that have shaped me into the person I am today,鈥� shared Montgomery. 鈥淪pecifically, I look forward to influencing the lives of women of color, aiming to develop initiatives that genuinely improve the health outcomes of Black women within the medical system.鈥�