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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.