After years of medical school rejections, Tony Phan shares a powerful story of resilience and reinvention. Rather than giving in to discouragement, he channeled his setbacks into meaningful work—pursuing roles rooted in service and compassion. Through his decade-long journey toward medicine, Tony realized that healing doesn’t only happen in exam rooms. When we turn pain into purpose, we don’t just heal ourselves—we create space to heal others.To learn more about TEDxTAMU and explore our speakers and events, visit www.tedxtamu.org. Tony Phan, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is a medical student at UT Tyler School of Medicine whose decade-long journey to medicine exemplifies resilience and perseverance. A former higher education professional and AAMC AHPAC member, he leads initiatives to expand access, advocate for inclusivity, and improve veterans' healthcare. Guided by a mission to heal through humor and spread joy, he champions the power of positivity and creativity in overcoming adversity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx