How has JAMP helped you strive to achieve your goal of becoming a doctor?
I have come to deeply appreciate the opportunities allowed to me through JAMP. Even as an ambitious college student, my involvement in pre-med activities were limited to helping at the information desk or changing bed sheets due to HIPPA. JAMP allowed me the opportunities to step inside the examination room as physicians counseled patients, the opportunities to scrub and participate in a variety of surgeries, and the opportunities to reaffirm my desire to pursue medicine. This is an opportunity offered to few, and I am grateful for this catalyst towards my goal of becoming a physician.

What advice would you like to offer current and future JAMP students?
To the future JAMP students, explore the field of medicine and all the alternatives. Reaffirm to yourself to the committment towards this life-long journey and continue to strive towards it regardless if you are accepted into JAMP. To the current JAMP students, I remember being overwhelmed countless times as a college student, a medical student, and even now as a surgical resident. Each time I always reached out to the outstretched hands of those who went before me, and I will continue to do the same for those that come after me. Remember there is always help; you just have to ask.

What aspect of JAMP has been most beneficial for you?
I am most grateful for the individuals I’ve met along the way. From Dr. Willis at the Strawberry Health Clinic who exuded compassion towards difficult patients, to the JAMP cohort that struggled with me from Summer 1 through medical school graduation, to the mentees that continue to teach me as much as I teach them. Each successive milestone on this life-long journey has opened new challenges and opportunities. I cannot wait for the next.

About Dr. Tran:
I was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States at the age of five. Throughout school, I gravitated towards humanities and ethics which led me to pursue Neuroscience at UT Austin and Medical Ethics along with my MD at Baylor College of Medicine. Currently, I am a resident physician in General Surgery at the University of Arizona at Tucson. I plan to pursue a Masters of Public Health while in training and ultimately pursue a career in Global Surgery. This training will not only allow me the opportunity to provide necessary surgical care to patients in economically disadvantaged countries but also understand the health care disparities and better tailor education and resources to meet the needs of those communities.