Just into their 3rd year of medical school, we managed to bring together 5 students of color to share their ambitions. Coming from as far as New York and as close as Milwaukee, the chasm between their personalities is vast. Case in point, when asked about a favorite music genre, one student retorted, “Heavy metal is a favorite of mine.” Regardless of the differences, their quest is the same. How can we support each other as we forge ahead to achieve our set goals.
It was a pleasure first meeting these students at the Next Level event this past summer. Not only did they have an opportunity to embrace the Madison community and see some of it’s local talent, but they had the chance to dress in scrubs, station under a tent and take blood pressures and pulses of many of the event attendees. This was a great start for clinical rotations that happen during this bridge year of medical school.
Transitioning from the classroom to the hospital or clinic adds to a sense of arrival by actually taking care of patients. The rotations will most likely include, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family practice, psychiatry, general surgery and ob/gyn. These rotations will also help students discover their field of choice if not selected and conversely re-evaluate a choice that was previously made. Nonetheless, the students will be well rounded once completing their 4th year.
As a Umoja community, let’s encourage these medical students that may one day be your doctor!
Khalifa Wright
What year and discipline are you in?
I’m a second-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health.
Where do you ultimately want to practice?
I hope to practice domestically and internationally in the pediatrics or OBGYN fields. I plan to set up my practice in the Chicago area or on the East Coast. However, I also wish to have a global presence, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa or the Caribbean.
What do you hope to accomplish within the field?
One of my career aspirations is to work on healthcare leadership and planning at international governmental agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) or the United Nations (UN). My background in public health policy has inspired me to pursue this goal. Additionally, I would like to open a clinic later in my career, providing free healthcare, especially for adolescents who cannot afford it otherwise.
Kenyana Tyska
What year and discipline are you in?
I am a second-year University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health student.
Where do you ultimately want to practice?
I am interested in pursuing either anesthesiology or interventional radiology as my career path. Ultimately, I dream of returning to Chicago or Texas to practice in my field.
What do you hope to accomplish within the field?
I’ve always been passionate about healthcare, especially after seeing first-hand the unequal distribution of resources in communities like mine. I truly believe that where you live can significantly impact your quality of life and health outcomes.
Nia Foster
What year and discipline are you in?
I am a second-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health.
Where do you ultimately want to practice?
I am keenly interested in radiology or any oncology-related field. My goal is to practice and serve patients in Virginia or Georgia.
What do you hope to accomplish within the field?
As someone who has gone through the process, I suggest finding a good mentor for anyone looking to enter the health field. A mentor with experience in the field can guide you and help you take the necessary steps toward success. Having someone to talk to who knows what you’re going through is crucial, and finding a good mentor can be a critical factor in achieving your goals.
Jared Boyce
What year and discipline are you in?
I am a second-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health.
Where do you ultimately want to practice?
I aim to practice child and adolescent psychiatry in a city, possibly on the East Coast.
What do you hope to accomplish within the field?
I intend to improve the treatment of traumatized children nationwide, especially those from minority backgrounds. In addition, I aspire to establish and manage a research laboratory that focuses on studying the neurobiological effects of trauma.
Nyla Mathis
What year and discipline are you in?
I am a second-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health.
Where do you ultimately want to practice?
I am still determining where exactly I want to practice. Right now, I plan to practice in an urban environment.
What do you hope to accomplish within the field?
One health-related fact that I wish more people knew is how much control they have over their health regarding how much food impacts their health and lifestyle. Sometimes, it feels like we’re all destined to get a specific disease or illness. We don’t know how much of that is in our control, and on those lines, I would hope to reestablish hope in people’s selves. I’ve noticed many times that people become hopeless and feel like they can’t become healthy or can’t accomplish a healthy lifestyle. So, I hope that throughout my career and field, I can reestablish hope and have a complete and full life.
