Throughout my teen years and up until my sophomore year in college, my grandmother was like a mother figure to me. She was strong and confident and wanted the best for me, unfortunately she was unable to see me live out my dream. My grandmother was a breast cancer survivor but, she couldn't survive the stroke because her body was too weak. When my grandmother passed away it was as if my whole world came crashing down once again but, this time there was a strong bond that developed between us that I did not want to be over but it was. I will always remain thankful to the physicians and staff at the Bon Secours Health System who helped me though this hard time. Right after my grandmother passed away my mother suffered from her third transient ischemic attack this one more severe than the others. Although my mother is still sick today and has just recovered from another transient ischemic attack I still have the perseverance and strength now more than ever to pursue a career in medicine. The painful experiences that I have suffered throughout my life have made me stronger.
Life has taught me that Laughter is so much more than a sound. It can force sadness to the back of the mind, it can make the impossible seem preposterously possible, and most importantly, it can unite. Sharing a chuckle with the person in front of you in the check out line makes you feel bonded to him or her, doesn't it? A laugh breaks down the barrier of the unknown and forces commonality, even if it is only for a moment. The patients at The University Hospital in
Beginning in February of 2007 I started an Americorps volunteer membership with The Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute as a Community Health Worker. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that I was embarking on a life altering experience that would prepare me for a future in the medical field. The internship consisted of eight weeks of intense training and an entrance exam at the end of the training period. Immediately after the training period we were sent out into the East Baltimore Community to bridge the gap between the residents of
Being a medical professional requires a love for all people and an ability to relate to those who we can't possibly foresee an initial connection. It is a physician's job, first and foremost, to create this connection. The common bond should then blossom into a mutual relationship of trust and dependability. In my everyday life, I constantly practice my ability to make such connections. I spend a great deal of my time and hard work contributing to several community organizations throughout
When people ask me the question, "Shant'e, why do you want to be a physician?" I always give the same answer. All of my experiences, hospital exposure, personal life, science classes, and work experiences that have intrigued and amazed me, and all of the characteristics I have that drive me in this direction add up to one simple answer:" Because I know I'D be a good one." While my thirst for medical knowledge has guided me towards medicine, my experiences with patients and desire to work with those who are ill fortify my convictions of becoming a physician.