Claire Sim

Academy for Medical Science Technology.

In the summer of seventh grade, it seemed those at my specialized magnet school chose our one-path destiny. Success meant following the trajectory cut out for us.

We must be nose deep into biology textbooks and dissections everyday, right? Every direction we turned, it seemed the inclusion of DNA, RNA, proteins and cell respiration in conversations was a prerequisite to productivity. Any other discussion was a distraction.

After all, that was how medicine was presented to us. “Medical Science Technology” meant just that — technology. Hard science, memorization, and passing tests.

A few of us were quick to discover that this perception of medicine was just about the furthest from what the field actually entailed.

While learning about medical concepts, performing biology research, and dissecting pig hearts made us feel scientifically close to medicine, it was the personal stories, and witnessing medicine in action that made us truly understand medicine as a whole, rather than a distant concept. Medicine was more an art than a science. Something to be appreciated and gently pursued, not handled and completed.

Taking time to intentionally seek out these alternative sides of medicine was not only eye-opening, but inspiring.

Here’s what was learned, and what started CURA.

While countries compete to lead in various fields of innovation that help advance medicine, the gruesome reality is, most civilians fail to access the care that is so loudly boasted by the industry, making medicine a monopoly, not a cure.

From avoiding critical check-ups due to an absence of insurance, to not knowing how to book one due to a language barrier, the healthcare system is riddled with inaccessibilities.

At an even larger level, governmental policies are being passed at a rate that even those attempting to stay informed, cannot keep up with, as information is not readily available and riddled with jargon.

These disheartening realities not only leave behind communities such as the uninsured and homeless, but apply on a global scale; underdeveloped and third world countries face unprecedented difficulties in the face of epidemics and even daily citizen health. Quality of life subsequently dwindles in these countries and results in higher mortality — a cycle that is perpetuated by the drastic inequality in resource and education availability.

While a large portion of the issue is systemic, ingrained struggles should not be an excuse to remain idle. Healthcare should be more than a system; medicine should be a haven of safety.

In forming CURA, we hope to be involved at the very forefront of medicine — access. We believe that the key to medicine does not solely lie in science, but in compassion, understanding, and education. The process of healthcare both begins and ends with human connection; meeting those where they are, whether by language, culture, socioeconomic class, or any other influential factor, and moving accordingly.

It seems that the outspoken motivation of those involved in healthcare, while varying at the personal level, generally come down to one goal: uplifting, healing, and helping others. We believe that this principle should apply to all those in need, not just those without barriers.

While our organization began with the goal to educate — bringing conventionally underserved communities to the spotlight, pushing awareness, and inspiring change, we have also recognized that we all have a responsibility. Whether through advocating for those who can’t, making information publicly accessible for those of all languages and backgrounds, or physically bringing healthcare to groups in need, every action counts.

We’ve come to understand and act on the fact that accessibility, especially in terms of healthcare is multifaceted to the fullest extent. In addition to resources such as physical access to healthcare and medical professionals, education and awareness about how one is impacted by policy is severely lacking in underserved areas. Individuals vote, act, and make major life decisions without critical knowledge. Accessibility not only ensures physical lifelines, but vital knowledge that allows for informed decisions. Socioeconomic status, living in an underdeveloped area, or even just speaking a different language should never be barriers to adequate care.

Those in positions to incite change, those with voices, and those with hands and a heart to help can all play a role in ensuring that healthcare is an assured right, not an unattainable privilege.