It is said that medicine is a calling. I 101% agree.
Why did I choose specifically to be a physician, as there are so many other professions in which one can help people? I have shared my story about my brother countless times, but it goes to say that he was the spark for me interest in medicine. Growing up in a household with a sibling diagnosed with a genetic disorder and severe mental and physical disability, fostered an early appreciation for medicine. We spent countless hours in and out of hospitals and witnessing the interactions between the physicians and my family left an impact on my younger self. There was a different yet special connection the doctors had with my parents and myself which profoundly inspired my decision to ultimately apply to pursue medicine.
I will share that during college I worked as a CNA and I truly enjoyed it. It allowed me a basic background in providing care for people and learning about the importance of empathetic interactions with others. It also helped me learn how to communicate effectively and hone my listening skills with patients. I ultimately wanted to further expand on what I had learned as a nursing assistant. I also enjoyed the sciences, understanding the pharmacology and physiology.
There is a certain level of trust that I am given by patients especially those who relate to me. I wanted to be able to have this same positive impact on patients. I wanted more in depth knowledge on their diagnoses and I knew that with a broader scope of practice I would be able to help patients the same way the doctors helped our family . My personal experiences along with what I learned as a nursing assistant solidified my decision to apply to medical school.
I had also heard the disheartening stats. Only 3-4% of physicians are African American. Less than 2% are AA women. How many of my own personal doctors looked like me? None. Who else in my family was a doctor? No one else.
Has it been easy? Two letters: No. Do I still encounter people who can't fathom the fact that I am a physician? Yep. Have I made countless personal sacrifices to pursue the path to medicine? Yep. Have there been times where I question my decision? Yep. It certainly is a calling and this field is not for the faint of heart. Would I still venture the path to medicine? Yep. Although there are good and bad days, I am thankful for the journey and have no intensions on leaving anytime soon.