Children’s National Research Institute
When I first arrived in Washington, D.C. for the summer, I anticipated professional development, exposure to health policy, and perhaps an expansion of my technical skill set. What I did not anticipate was a profound reshaping of how I understand the word community.
Having grown up in a close-knit household, I’ve long associated community with inherited bonds—interwoven through culture, language, tradition, and an unspoken sense of mutual care. Within my hometown of Miami, community meant multi-generational support systems, shared meals at the dinner table, and friends who felt more like extended family. It was something familiar, something I believed could only emerge from longstanding relationships rooted in shared identity.
At Children’s National Research Institute, I have encountered a very different, yet equally powerful, manifestation of community. Within this diverse, multidisciplinary environment, I have found myself surrounded by individuals whose paths, perspectives, and lived experiences are vastly different from my own. And yet, we are connected by something more than proximity: a shared mission to advance child health equity and drive systemic change.
In this space, community is not defined by sameness but by alignment. It is the collective energy of researchers, clinicians, and fellows, each contributing uniquely to a common cause. Whether I am analyzing primary care data, attending project briefings, or engaging in conversations with colleagues, I am consistently reminded that purpose can bind people just as tightly as tradition.
Initially, I was unsure if I would belong. Coming from a homogeneous community, I worried my perspective might feel peripheral. But instead of shrinking to fit a mold, I was met with encouragement to show up authentically—to ask questions, contribute insight, and trust that my voice had value. I quickly realized that community, in this context, asks not for conformity but for commitment.
Exploring Georgetown with my Newfound Community
This experience has shown me that community can sometimes be built as opposed to inherited. It begins with intentionality—taking the time to listen, to understand, and to contribute meaningfully. It grows through collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility. Over time, I have transitioned from observer to participant, from intern to contributor, and most meaningfully, from outsider to community member.
Though I have always carried the values of my upbringing with me, I now see those same values reflected in spaces I never thought to look and in people whose paths I would have never crossed had it not been for this opportunity. What I believed to be a static definition of community has expanded to include this dynamic, purpose-driven environment.
In a way, I do feel as though I have joined a new community. It is not one that replaces my roots but rather enriches them. It is a community of thinkers and doers, bound by the belief that change is both possible and necessary, and that it must be pursued together.
With that being said, I leave with a quote I recently came across, one that I now firmly stand behind:
“A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or part of the same social web network. It’s about feeling connected and responsible for what happens.” – Yehuda Berg
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