Major Key: Aspire to Inspire

//“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies . . . Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die . . . It doesn't matter what you do, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away.”   -Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451//

My mother moved to England from Ghana at the age of about 17. She then traveled the world (for a few years, since she currently on 29 and 3/4) and eventually moved to the United States just a few years before I was born.  Growing up with an amazing intelligent and well-traveled mother afforded me a different world view.  I saw the world as a first generation Ghanaian-American who was brought up in a fully Ghanaian household.  My culture was not American, my food growing up was not American and my relationship to African-Americans was often difficult to cultivate due to this difference in perspective. I have grown and learned and forged many relationships with many different people from many different backgrounds, but I cherish the mindset I learned from my mother.  That is the beauty of passing on knowledge, experiences, thoughts, culture, etc from generation to generation.  My mother helped me navigate this world...and she taught me not to be selfish in my knowledge, but to help my fellow brother or sister.  She engrained in me the drive to pass things along, to help others, to pave a way, to be thankful to those who came before me, to share the wealth...to aspire to inspire.

I am a dark-skinned, Ghanaian-American, assertive, strong-minded and intelligent FEMALE Medical Doctor in a Caucasian, male-dominated field. I experience things that many of my colleagues never even think of. My dream is that the medical field becomes more diverse and fully saturated with minorities!

What advice do you have for girls that aspire to be a “ Black Woman, White Coat?”

First and foremost, never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams. Anything that you aspire to do or be, you can do it! The road to attaining your goals may not be easy, it may have great triumphs and failures, but you should always remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and people will be put in your path to help you...sometimes when you least expect it.

My advice is to follow your dreams. Do well in school. Be prepared to always be your best, because unfortunately, a lot of people are waiting for you to make a mistake. Seek help when you need it! Having the skill of knowing when to ask for help is invaluable. Find a mentor who has recently been through what you are planning to go through (my email is on my contact page!!). Sometimes just hearing stories of success can be the greatest boost in confidence. Lastly, NEVER GIVE UP.

What do you hope to accomplish while practicing?

I recognize that practicing medicine means that I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me. I hope to continue to become a well-rounded, competent, and compassionate physician.  I want to make a positive impact in the lives of my patients and in my community.  I want to give back to my community and help others attain their goals, through mentoring. I want to inspire and motivate young people, especially young African-Americans, to work hard for their dreams and to help them realize that you can really do anything if you put your mind to it and ask for help when you need it...and I want to help with this process in any way that I can. I have made it this far and will continue to reach greater heights...and I want that for everyone.  If I can do it, you can too!

-Dr.Z

The Journey: College Major and Extracurriculars

//"Work hard for what you want because it won't come to you without a fight. You have to be strong and courageous and know that you can do anything you put your mind to. If somebody puts you down or criticizes you, just keep on believing in yourself and turn it into something positive." -Unknown//

Sometimes college is the last step in your educational journey...and sometimes it isn't.  In my journey, college was just the middle.  After 4 years at Bowdoin College, I went on to a 5-year MD/MPH journey at UAMS followed by my current Family Medicine residency...and I still am not totally sure my educational road is done.  Regardless of if college is your end or your middle, it is important to have fun and make the most of your college experience while simultaneously preparing your "resume" so that the sky is your limit.  One way to achieve this is to be very mindful when choosing your college major and extracurricular activities.

What was my major in college and why did you choose it?

I was blessed to know from a very young age that I wanted to be a doctor, but that is totally not the norm.  Most of the people I know didn't know exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up.  I went to an awesome liberal arts college that allowed us to explore our interests for 1-2 years before officially proclaiming our major.  I am not very familiar with the process in large universities or state schools, but I think it is essential that a budding mind be allowed to explore their interests throughout their college experience, but especially at the beginning with no restriction.  Once you begin to determined where you want you life to go, pick a major that marries you interests and your future.  If that means picking a minor as well, do it! Be that sponge, and soak up this time. 

I personally majored in Biochemistry in college.  I started college wanting to major in Biochemistry and minor in Mathematics, but I realized I was doing a bit too much and decided just to major in Biochemistry.  I loved Chemistry and I needed extra Biology courses to fulfill the medical school requirements, therefore, Biochemistry was the best major for me. (see how I married by interests and my future with this choice!!)
 

What activities and clubs were you a part of in college?

 

When it comes to extracurricular activities, I DID THEM ALL! I did what interested me, I tried new things and I padded my resume with extracurricular activities that would set me up as a great candidate for medical school.  I've always been that student that does too much, so I was a part of a lot of clubs and activities in college.  I had a work-study job working in the library probably two times a week.  I was the secretary and treasurer of the Latin American student Association (knowing NO Spanish and being a first generation Ghanaian-American, but some of my best friends were Latin-American so I was all for supporting them).  My best friend, Fatoumatta, and I co-founded the African-Alliance club on campus. I was on the committee that organized all blood drives that occurred on campus and became the Chair of the Committee my Junior and Senior years.  I was a member of the African-American Association on campus.  I was a Senior Interview for the Admissions Office.  I performed in a extracurricular wind ensemble AND learned how to play the Mbira, and Zimbabwean instrument, and performed with my friends for the entire college. Like I said, I did THE MOST in college...but I loved every second of it, regret none of it and learned so much.  

 

I bet I am missing something and did even more in college...but the bottom line is that I made the most of my 4 years in Maine while setting myself up as a great candidate for medical school.  

 

*The same mentality can apply to high school.  I was 1st chair clarinet, captain of flagline and a cheerleader my senior year while taking a ridiculous amount of AP classes.  I was tired, but I enjoyed it and when interviewed for college, I showed that I was interested in education and could handle a heavy work load and be disciplined enough to do well while simultaneously doing may extracurricular activities.  I interview students for Bowdoin yearly as an alumna, and this is a quality we look for in all of our applicants.*