Struggle. This word applies to my life but does not represent my outlook on it. I could talk about being homeless in elementary school, and living in my grandmothers van. Watching my mother breakdown in tears when I asked her to sign my affidavit. That did not stop us as a family from volunteering at the homeless shelter every Christmas and Thanksgiving, because my father instilled in me the idea of always doing do something to better someone else’s situation. Instead, I will tell the story of a kid whose passion for mentorship and advocacy drove him want to be a physician with the guidance from role models and positive healthcare experiences. As a physician, I will continue to give back to my community and others like mine by positively influencing the health and wellbeing of my patients and advocating for their equal treatment.
I worked hard in school growing up because my parents instilled in me the value of education. I grew up in an urban area of Atlanta where many of my friends did not have this attitude and thus became the product of our environment. They fell victim to drugs and crime. They did not just wake up one day and decide to be criminals though. They made decisions, no matter whether small or big, every day on how to survive, often times with little guidance or support. I believe mentorship and advocacy are keys to combating this mentality and during my undergraduate student years, I was involved in various mentoring programs. As a college athlete, I learned some crucial time management skills. I had to learn how to balance practice and meets, with class work, working as a researcher/TA, and leadership positions within clubs. Practice was often twice a day, six day of the week, and meets on the weekend but I still made time to volunteer as a mentor to middle school (TIMS Male Mentoring Program) and high school students (Next Step UP). My school’s community is very rural and is home to many minorities of low socioeconomic status. The kids helped me realize the importance of having positive role models. No one wants to do better unless he/she knows better. It is important for one to reach his/her goals and when that is done, to reach back and help the next person. A physician dedicates his/her life to the wellbeing of others. It is constantly reaching back and helping individuals and their families when they are most vulnerable. Not only will the physician be providing healthcare for your patients but he/she would be advocating for them within system, as well as he would be making the best decision because they entrust their lives into his/her hands.
Growing up my primary physician served as a role model for me. His name was Dr. Katnick and, he was an extremely bright and funny person. He diagnosed my little brother Adrian had thyroid cancer when I was a junior in high school. I would take Adrian to the appointments when my parents had to work. I found myself researching more about his disease, and investigating concepts of physiology, cancer, and hormonal regulation. The deeper I delved in the subject the more my curiosity grew. I would ask Dr. Katnick questions as well and he was more than willing to clarify and challenged me to research and read on different topics. It was tough being in high school having to miss practice and classes to go the hospital and see my little brother laying in that hospital bed. I felt powerless and all I wanted to do was protect him. My family was fortunate enough to have a physician who went the extra mile and really worked to help us on all the levels he possibly could. I believe the physician should be giving back in the most important way possible, by improving a person’s health and wellbeing but also by being there to support their loved ones and stabilize their lifestyle. My little brother beat his cancer and I entered college wanting to be a physician and majoring in biology.
In pursuit of increasing my knowledge on healthcare, I participated in SMDEP. During my rotations in Labor and Delivery at SMDEP Duke Medicine. I witnessed an emergency Caesarian section. The surgery was awe inspiring in itself, but seeing the surgeons and nurses’ interactions with one other and the patient was equally inspiring. The surgeon had to be strong emotionally and physically for the patient. She needed comfort and assurance that everything was going to be all right and he gave it to her. Were his decisions not made with confidence they might second guess him and be hesitant when it came to following his instructions. The surgeon also had complete trust in his team, valuing everyone’s unique skills. They were barely any words spoken as I watched them move in almost total harmony. As I interacted with patients in SICU, I really tried to talk with them and engage them in conversation. They opened up to me in the short amount of time we had in each room. I asked them about their families and their living conditions. The stories I heard were amazing, and I realized how important it was to step out of one’s comfort zone and make a patient feel appreciated. I know how it feels to be marginalized and will not do the same to my patients. Just as I will continue to learn new information within healthcare, I will have to better myself and remain compassionate and appreciative of the position I am in.
Current Whereabouts:
Hmmm there's, Music, Physical Activity, Nature, and Reading, Science, Technology, Biology,Cyber Security, Advocacy for the underprivileged, Comics (Marvel>D.C), Ted Talks and Podcast
Life & Professional Aspirations:
Aspiring Physician, Community health advocate, and Scientist.
• Member of Biology Club ( Vice President for 2014/17 Academic Year)
• Pre- Health Committee Vice President for 2014/15 Academic Year…….
• Volunteer Biology Tutor at Tuskegee - Center of Academic Excellence and Innovative Learning
• Varsity Track and Field at Tuskegee University, in the High jump event and 400m run
• Research in material science and engineering on ”The fundamental crosslinking behavior of Epon 862 and Epikure-W using atomistic simulations”wwwwwwwwwwwww
• Treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated
• SGA Health Committee Chair
Most Memorable Moment:
• Next Step Up Mentoring program at High school
• TIMS middle school Male mentoring program
• Vice-President of The Biology and Minority Association for Pre-Health Students
• Volunteer at the community market
• TA for organic chemistry and Lab
• Magnolia Nursing Home volunteer
• Charter-member of Alabama Rural Health Association on campus
