Why did you choose to pursue a career in medicine?
My interest in medicine was originally sparked when watching my mom care for my grandma. Growing up, my grandma had Alzheimer’s disease, and my mom was one of her primary caregivers. I have vivid memories of going straight to my grandma’s house after school, watching my mom tend to her different needs, and tagging along to several doctors’ appointments.
While I was too young to understand all of the inner workings of Alzheimer’s disease, and the full depth of my grandma’s treatment, I could see that this was a very vulnerable and emotional time for both my grandma and my mom. It became clear to me that the physician played an imperative role in making sure my grandma was comfortable, while also ensuring my mom stayed well-informed and proactive in my grandma’s care plan.
I became infatuated at how a physician could balance the emotional needs of their patients while also being efficient in the treatment of their patient’s disease. I began to realize that someday I wanted to be someone’s rock in their time of need, just like my grandma’s physicians were for my grandma and my mom. I aspired to be someone others could depend on and trust during their vulnerable times. I knew working in medicine could bring me the perfect mix of learning and expanding my knowledge while also making a meaningful impact on the people in my community.
Why McGovern Medical School?
I chose McGovern, because I knew that by coming here, I wouldn’t be just another number or statistic, rather I would be a part of a family with several supporters and mentors to help me during this journey.
Immediately upon interviewing, it really stood out to me that McGovern genuinely cared about their students and wanted to ensure that their students’ needs were being met. I will always remember how on interview day, Dr. (LaTanya) Love took the time to talk about how important school-life balance was and all of the resources McGovern offered their students to help them through medical school and to avoid burnout. This showed me that McGovern looked at our progress and success holistically, rather than just focusing on exam scores, and had the tools available for us to be successful students without sacrificing our mental health.
Medical school can be very tough, and it feels good to know that you have a team of people who support you and care about your success and well-being. While I am just starting out, since day one, I have felt the passion from the faculty and staff here. I know I am just where I need to be!
What is your ultimate goal for a career in medicine?
I grew up in a low-income household where often it was a struggle for my parents to get health insurance and have their health needs met. Because of this, I saw some of the discrepancies in health care accessibility and how inaccessible health care can create a cycle of unmet health care needs and chronic conditions in low-income populations.
While I am still deciding on what specialty of medicine most interests me, I know that no matter what I do, I want to help close the health care gap. I would love to open or help run a free clinic in a low-income neighborhood, while also advocating for better health care policies in our community.
What specialty would you choose if you had to pick now?
As of right now, I am all over the place with what specialty interests me! In fact, what I write here today will probably change by next week. However, I do think I am leaning towards pediatrics, specifically neonatal-perinatal medicine. I love babies, and I find it so interesting how some aspects of medicine change when working with infants.
What motivates you?
A big motivator in my life are my nieces and nephews. I want to be a good role model to them and show them that anything is possible when you work hard enough and believe in yourself. It is important to me to show my nieces and nephews that hard work pays off, and that following your dreams is worth it.
Any day that I am feeling down or defeated, I think about their shining faces and how they take on each day with such excitement and joy. They are my biggest fans and supporters. I know that they believe in me, and that is often all I need to push through. I want them to see that things grow from the seeds you plant, and nothing in this life is unreachable.
What emotions are you feeling beginning medical school?
As of right now, I am feeling a mixture of excitement, joy, and nervousness. This is a brand-new chapter in my life, and I am so excited for what this year has in store for me. I realize I have a long road ahead, but I also love looking back at how far I have come. Getting into medical school has solidified many of my goals and aspirations, so I am feeling a lot of accomplishment and pride.
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
I am so excited to get to know my peers and explore areas of science that I haven’t learned about yet! Medicine is such a broad area of study. I know I am going to be learning something new every day. I think this will be such an interesting experience, especially since I get to go through this journey with other students and soon-to-be colleagues.
I am also a very kinesthetic learner, so doing hands-on activities such as anatomy lab is something I am looking forward to.
Who are your heroes?
When I began my medical school journey, I was the first person in my intermediate family to ever pursue becoming a doctor. Because of this, there were so many times I felt lost, confused, and alone. Yet, I have found that around every corner and during every dark time, there has been someone there to pull me through.
I have had amazing advisers, peer mentors, encouraging friends, and supportive family members who have all done their part in pushing me along through this winding road into medical school. All of these people were heroes to me at some time or another, so it’s hard to pinpoint one main hero in my life.
However, I would have to say that my biggest heroes are my parents.
While they may not have much experience with medical school, they never miss a moment to tell me they are proud of me, and that they believe in me. When I lack confidence in myself, they help build the confidence for me. When I feel defeated and overwhelmed they are there to lift me back up again. When I feel like a failure or like I’m just not keeping up, they are there to remind me of my accomplishments and how far I have come.
There are times when I know I would’ve been lost without my parents’ guidance, and times when I’m certain I would have given up if I didn’t have them there for me. I owe so much of what I have been able to accomplish to my parents and their unwavering support and unconditional love.
How were you able to overcome self-doubt to achieve your dreams?
When I first decided I wanted to be a doctor, I felt very scared and intimidated by the process and academic rigor. I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome, where I often felt I wasn’t “smart enough” to be a doctor and constantly felt like my peers were achieving much greater things than I was.
At times, pursuing medicine felt like a career exclusively for the “elite” and the smartest. I didn’t see how little me could ever push my way through the crowd and stand out enough to get into medical school. Yet, in the end, I pushed through these fears and doubts and made it to McGovern.
So, I just want to say to any aspiring medical students or current medical students, “you got this!” No matter what background you come from, or what setbacks you’ve had, pursuing a career in medicine is possible. Put those doubts in the back of your head, and don’t let your fears hold you back from achieving your goals of being a doctor! Remember: You are your own worst critic.
Read the rest of the stories from the Newest Faces of McGovern Medical School.