"One of Touro’s strength is that it boasts a unique diversity in both the student body, as well as in faculty and staff. Such diversity champions the idea that medicine is not a call for a certain group of people, but for all who have the diligence to heed to such a call. Touro proves that it is possible for individuals who grew up in opposite sites of the world and were shaped by different values and morals to share something in common. More than anything, being here at Touro has re-emphasized to me the strength in diversity that dares to look beyond the barriers that separate us to find qualities that unite us in our pursuits and prove our humanity. Beyond the shades of our skin, the second languages we speak, the foods we eat, and our ethnic backgrounds, I have found that we’re more alike than we are different. In the countless interactions I have had with my fellow classmates, I have learned that we are bonded by the unique paths that have led us here. For many, the path to get thus far has required much sacrifice and discipline, yet still we toil further to see a better day. These qualities aren’t isolated for just a select few, but can be drawn out of each and everyone of us. They are simply indiscriminate, yet intrinsic characteristics we possess. They define who we are in the midst of a beautiful tapestry of the world being woven in Middletown, New York."