Interviews with Current And Aspiring Black Medical Professionals
Interviews with Current And Aspiring Black Medical Professionals
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Interview #1: Dr. Zaika Bowen M.D.
Interview #1: Dr. Zaika Bowen M.D.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Zakia Bowen who very kindly provided me with the first interview!
Dr. Zakia D. Bowen is a board certified internal medicine physician with extensive hospitalist experience across multiple healthcare systems in New Jersey. She has recently expanded her work to include functional medicine—uniting her clinical expertise with a whole-person, preventive approach to health and longevity.
Dr. Bowen earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine, graduating with clinical honors, and completed her internal medicine residency at Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. She also holds a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wellesley College.
A lifelong learner, Dr. Bowen is a 2026 Candidate for Certification by The Institute for Functional Medicine, reflecting her commitment to root-cause medicine and the integration of evidence-based, personalized care.
Throughout her career, Dr. Bowen has demonstrated a deep commitment to medical education, leadership, and mentorship. She has served on clinical competency and stroke committees, participated on institutional review boards, and was one of twenty physicians selected for the Envision Healthcare Leadership Academy in 2019. Her passion for teaching extends beyond the hospital, as a speaker and panelist at STEM and health-education events.
Her professional interests include patient advocacy, mentoring aspiring clinicians, and improving communication between patients and their care teams. Dr. Bowen is a member of the American College of Physicians, the National Medical Association, and The Institute for Functional Medicine. Outside of medicine, Dr. Bowen enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling.
Q: What first inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
Q: What first inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
A: There were a few things. I am the product of public school education, and I had an amazing sixth-grade biology teacher. He was goofy, passionate, and made science come alive. I was hooked on biology from that point. I loved it through middle and high school, studied it at Wellesley, and then earned a master’s in biomedical sciences at what is now Rutgers-Newark, but used to be UMDNJ.
I have always found people fascinating. I love biology, and I enjoy solving puzzles. Those three things came together and led me to medicine.
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to become a doctor, and what experiences shaped that decision?
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to become a doctor, and what experiences shaped that decision?
A: It was something I always wanted to do. Since sixth grade, after that biology teacher, I knew I wanted to be in the sciences. I did not always love lab work, but I enjoyed connecting the dots and understanding disease and people.
What really solidified my decision was having family members in the hospital. The communication from doctors was poor, and no one clearly explained what was happening. I knew that if I became a doctor, I could do a better job helping patients understand what was going on. Communication is the most important part. You can know everything, but if you cannot communicate it, you are not helping anyone.
Q: What challenges did you face on your journey to medical school, and how did you overcome them?
Q: What challenges did you face on your journey to medical school, and how did you overcome them?
A: There were many challenges. The first was the MCAT. It was tough, and I had to come up with a solid study plan. Back then, Kaplan was the go-to resource, and once I started using it, things became clearer.
The next challenge was that I did not get into any American medical schools when I first applied. A friend told me about offshore schools, so I applied to Ross University in Dominica in the West Indies. Many Black American students attend Caribbean medical schools if they do not go to HBCU medical schools, so that became my path as well.
Q: Were there any mentors or role models who supported or influenced you along the way?
Q: Were there any mentors or role models who supported or influenced you along the way?
A: Unfortunately, no. It was a lonely road. There were not many older doctors around to guide me. At that time, there were not strong connections between generations of Black doctors.
Things have changed now. The structure of medical education has improved, and mentorship is more encouraged. I take mentorship very seriously. Anytime I hear someone is interested in medicine, I try to help them in any way I can. You have to see people like you doing the things you want to do. It makes the journey easier when you have guidance.
Q: How did your identity as a Black woman affect your experiences in medical school or the medical field?
Q: How did your identity as a Black woman affect your experiences in medical school or the medical field?
A: In medical school, because I went offshore, it was very competitive. Those schools often operate like businesses, so you have to fight for everything. That experience bonded students together.
When I came back for clerkships in Brooklyn, things changed. I was often one of only one or two Black people in the room, which was surprising for Brooklyn. Patients, doctors, and residents often saw me as a Black woman first and a medical student second.
People project their own perceptions onto you. It has nothing to do with you. You are there to learn, and sometimes you have to remind people of that. You also have to learn how to advocate for yourself.
As a resident and later as an attending, the power dynamic shifted. When you can say “I’m Dr. ___,” it brings a level of respect. It was not necessarily easier, but I had more authority. The most challenging time was in medical school and residency, when you are still proving yourself and have little protection.
Q: What advice would you give to young Black students who want to become doctors?
Q: What advice would you give to young Black students who want to become doctors?
A: Never give up. If this is what you want to do, you can make it happen. Map it out, plan carefully, and use every resource available to you. Use everything at your disposal to make your dreams come true.
There is nothing worse than living with “what ifs.” If I had to do it all over again, I would still become a doctor. I might do some things differently, but this is my calling.
Q: What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
Q: What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
A: There are many, but one stands out. I once had a 23-year-old patient who was an IV drug user. She had been placed on end-of-life care, but when I met her, she said she wanted to live. I talked to her and her parents, and we took her off end-of-life care.
She needed heart valve surgery because the infection from drug use had destroyed her valves. My team worked for weeks to nurse her back to health and get her strong enough for surgery. The surgeon later said her valves were the worst he had ever seen in Newark, which meant a lot coming from him.
She got her surgery and a second chance. Sadly, she died a month later from an overdose, but I still take pride in that case. It took enormous teamwork, compassion, and dedication. Even though it ended sadly, it was incredibly rewarding to give her that chance.
Q: How do you stay motivated when things get difficult in such a demanding profession?
Q: How do you stay motivated when things get difficult in such a demanding profession?
A: You have to learn how to manage stress, because it can destroy you if you do not. Burnout is very real. Medicine has been built on self-sacrifice and perfectionism, but that is not sustainable.
In the past two years, I have adopted an approach called functional medicine. It focuses on five non-negotiable pillars: stress management, movement, sleep, nutrition, and relationships or community.
Medicine often works against all five of those. You get little sleep, eat hospital food, deal with high stress, and have little time for relationships or exercise. You have to set limits and make these things non-negotiable. Even twenty minutes of exercise is better than none.
If you ignore these five pillars, you will face health problems of your own. So I make them a priority and remind myself why I got into medicine. When the work feels overwhelming, I think back to my purpose. I did not go into this for paperwork. I went into it to help people.
Q: How do you hope to make an impact in your community through your work as a doctor?
Q: How do you hope to make an impact in your community through your work as a doctor?
A: I hope I have already made an impact by teaching and mentoring residents. Throughout my career, I have worked with residents both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Passing on knowledge and supporting the next generation of doctors is one of the most meaningful ways to give back.
Interview #2: Dr. Chris Sossou
For this interview, I had the privilege of talking to Dr. Chis Soussou
Chris Sossou, MD, is an interventional cardiology fellow at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey. He immigrated to the United States in 2004 after spending 13 years in refugee camps in the Ivory Coast, an experience that deeply shaped his perspective on healthcare access and equity.
Dr. Sossou earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed his internal medicine residency at Rutgers Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey, and went on to complete his cardiology fellowship at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he served as chief fellow.
His research interests focus on clinical translational research and the social determinants of healthcare outcomes. Clinically, he is particularly interested in women’s cardiovascular health, preventive cardiology, and coronary artery disease.
Recognizing the lack of personalized, impact-driven mentorship programs in underserved communities, Dr. Sossou founded the Young Citizen Mentorship Program. He also actively mentors college students, medical students, residents, and cardiology fellows. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing and watching soccer, cooking, and traveling.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
A: I’ve always been fascinated by learning and by understanding how the human body works. Over time, that interest grew into curiosity about disease, how it affects people, and what we can do to prevent or change disease processes.
I came to the United States as a political refugee and saw firsthand what it meant to live without access to healthcare. Even after resettling here, I noticed that healthcare is not equally accessible in every community. That experience stayed with me.
Medicine became something I genuinely enjoyed. Once you find something you’re interested in, the long process becomes more manageable. Medicine allowed me to combine intellectual curiosity with meaningful impact and to use my skills to benefit communities in a lasting way.
Q: What challenges did you face on your journey to medical school, and how did you overcome them?
A: One of the biggest challenges for lower-income and minority students is lack of mentorship. Many students grow up never seeing a Black doctor, so the path does not feel achievable. Others work multiple jobs or support family members and do not have access to tutors or test preparation resources.
The MCAT is a major gatekeeper. It is not a test you can cram for. It evaluates years of reading comprehension, science knowledge, and endurance. I came to the U.S. at 16 from a refugee camp, spoke French as my first language, and had to learn English while transitioning into a new school system. That foundation gap made standardized testing especially difficult.
I took the MCAT multiple times. The first time, my score was not competitive, so I did not apply to medical school. Instead, I worked harder, took additional courses, and retook the exam. The second time, I did well and applied successfully.
Foundation matters, and it starts long before college. Many minority students do not lack intelligence. They lack opportunity. Medicine is challenging at every stage, but persistence makes the difference.
Q: Were there any mentors or role models who supported or influenced you along the way?
A: My first and most important mentor was my mother. She was a physician in our home country and practiced medicine in a refugee camp with very limited resources. Watching how she cared for people left a lasting impression on me, even though she passed away when I was young.
After coming to the U.S., I had several mentors, not all in medicine. One of my most impactful mentors was an English professor. Mentors do not have to be in your field. They help guide decision-making and provide perspective.
I am where I am because people consistently went out of their way to help me. Mentorship is one of the most underutilized tools in minority communities, yet every successful person you can name has had mentors.
Q: How did your identity as a Black man affect your experiences in medicine?
A: I do not focus much on characteristics I cannot change, such as race, gender, or background. Those things may come with advantages and disadvantages, but I do not define myself by them.
Statistically, Black individuals are more likely to grow up in under-resourced communities, which affects preparation and opportunity. That can create disadvantages early on. But I do not introduce myself as a “Black doctor.” I see myself as a doctor.
Representation matters, especially for women and underrepresented groups in certain specialties, even if I do not center those characteristics in how I define my own career.
Q: Did you experience racism on your journey to medicine?
A: I do not actively look for racism, and how people define it matters. I cannot say someone explicitly denied me opportunities because of my race.
What I can say is that race and socioeconomic background affect opportunity. A student whose parents are professors will have a very different experience from a student growing up in a low-income neighborhood. Those differences are real.
That is why I advise mentees to focus on what they can control. You cannot control how others perceive you, but you can control your grades, preparation, and work ethic.
Q: What advice would you give to young students who want to become doctors?
A: Becoming a physician is one of the best decisions I ever made. It is incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally. There are few careers where a stranger walks into your office and trusts you with their most personal struggles.
Medicine allows you to change the course of someone’s life, sometimes giving them a second chance. It is also a stable career, and those skills are transferable across countries.
That said, it is a long road. You have to be willing to sacrifice and accept delayed gratification. While others are relaxing or traveling, you may be studying. It is not glamorous. There are late nights, stress, and setbacks. But in the end, you will be able to care for your family and help your community.
Medicine is also broad. You do not have to follow just one path. The most important thing is to focus on what you can control, including your discipline, preparation, and commitment.
Q: What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
A: There are many, but one recent experience stands out.
I cared for a young Black patient with life-threatening heart failure who was understandably fearful of the healthcare system and hesitant to accept advanced treatment. He had a young family and felt the weight of that responsibility. The medical team recommended a mechanical support device or transplant, but he initially declined. While others focused on the urgency, I focused on building trust.
Over several weeks, we had many honest conversations. I listened to his fears, answered questions, and made space for his perspective. Eventually, he chose to move forward with treatment. Today, he is alive, back with his family, and rebuilding his life.
Seeing him walk into the clinic alive after nearly dying is a feeling nothing else can replace.
Q: What did you like about your specialty that made you choose cardiology?
A: The heart is the engine of the body. If it stops, everything stops. Being able to work on that engine excites me.
Cardiology combines electrical activity, mechanical function, and muscle physiology. I also love the technology. Heart transplantation still feels miraculous, taking a heart from one person and having it beat in another body.
From a research standpoint, cardiology is constantly evolving. There are always new questions and discoveries. It is a fascinating field.
Q: How do you stay motivated in such a demanding profession?
A: You have to enjoy your work, but your work cannot define who you are.
My family comes first. I have interests outside medicine, including sports, faith, community involvement, and mentorship. Mentoring young people brings me as much fulfillment as clinical work.
Medicine sometimes fails. Patients die despite your best efforts. If you define yourself only by your job, those moments will break you. You have to be more than what you do.
When outcomes are unfavorable, I ask myself whether I did everything I could. If the answer is yes, I can accept the result. Medicine is part of who I am, but it does not define me.
Q: How do you hope to make an impact in your community through your work?
A: Mentorship is the most powerful way to make an impact.
Treating patients matters, but helping create another doctor, nurse, or professional multiplies impact. One person from an under-resourced community can lift many others behind them.
My goal is to help expand representation at decision-making tables. Too often, people making decisions do not share the experiences of the communities affected by them. If I can help bring more voices to that table, then I have achieved what I set out to do.
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