When I embarked on my first year at UCSD, I was convinced that becoming a physician was the epitome of everything that I had hoped to achieve in life: a complete understanding of the human body, having the power to save lives, respect from the communities I would serve, and a professional outlet to express my compassion and understanding for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. However, after learning more about health systems around the world (including the U.S.), I have realized that there are many barriers to universal, quality health care in this nation and others. An aspect that plays a large roll in creating and sustaining these barriers is socioeconomic status, wherein the poor are denied resources, and essentially the right, to health care. As future physicians, it is our duty to provide service through benevolence, to understand that health care is a right and not a privilege. It is our responsibility to have and struggle with humility, as it does not come overnight, but is dealt with day by day. We would be servants to the people – all people – with whom we shall put into practice our knowledge in creating and promoting health. This is what service means to me, and how I will incorporate it into my future career.