So I know this is a question that I will be asked on Admissions Day and so I took the liberty to clear my mind of everything else and answer this question from my heart. Crazy, but I prayed in the shower this morning and asked God to help me with this question. For a while, I stumbled on my answer because my mind was not clear, but since asking for help, I think I am ready to answer it. So I had to blog it!!!
I want to make sure it comes from my heart. My mother just told me yesterday that, "Whatever you do, make sure all your answers come from your heart." We think alike!!! So with no more fear that I will stumble, I want to be a doctor because...
As you may already know, my obtained degree is in Anthropology which is the study of human kind or people in the past, present, and future. Well the sub-set of anthropology is cultural anthropology which focuses on people and their way of living and thinking and how these ways affect situations in their everyday life. Well the sub-set of cultural anthropology is medical anthropology which incorporates the field of public health. I focused most of my course work in medical anthropology and public health to learn about the different ways these two topics influence many communities around the world. Public health is merely about improving or enhancing the quality of life and medical anthropology is about finding and identifying the doctor-patient relationship needed while the patient is in his/her sick role.
Well with all those in mind, I love helping and identifying with people. My passion for medicine would allow me to interact with people and do so much more. One of the reasons why disease persists in the world is because people's cultural and religious beliefs influence their health situations. With medical knowledge along with my anthropology and public health background, I would not only be able identify with my patients but provide medical insight so that my patients can understand their health and their sickness. I think that people are entitled to their way of living, which is why as a doctor, I should be able to relate to my patient's past, present, and future while at the same time, provide them with the knowledge that could save their life. That is, medical knowledge.
So now to visually see how I feel, some communities across the world believe that menstrual periods are unnatural. Most of the young women that obtain their menstrual periods are ostracized from their communities where males are most dominant because they are not informed that menstrual periods are actually a natural condition for a female. The problem with sickness and health stems from many communities not being educated or misinformed about medical knowledge. For my future in medicine, I want to spread awareness by using my medical knowledge to help women understand their bodies. The only way for me to do this is to have a medical background and relate to communities culturally and medically rather than judge their practices and the way their communities live. Why not take my passion for medicine and my passion for anthropology and mix them by not only treating and diagnosing, but to relate to my patients in understanding their background and helping them relate to their health in a way they would never have understood it before?
I know "helping people" sounds like such a cliche, but I want to help people relate to their bodies. As a doctor with this anthropological background, I want to be able to work "miracles" for individuals who would not have been able to receive care because of their living distances, their financial situations, or even their cultural and religious beliefs. Now, I know I cannot really work "miracles", but at least I know I gave something that was close to a miracle because my patient would not have received care any other way.
I believe the key to being a successful doctor stems in the doctor-patient relationship just as medical anthropology says. I want to relate to my patients, I want to learn about what they believe, and I want to have that medical expertise that caters to their sickness. As an American, I cannot just go into another country and impose my medical knowledge on a particular community. I cannot stick my nose up and look down on these people because I think my medical knowledge overpowers their cultural beliefs. I cannot judge people who simply have cultural beliefs or practices that influence the way they treat their bodies. But as an anthropological American doctor, I can relate to those who do not understand or who are not informed about medical conditions. Being a great doctor is about building a trusting relationship where my patient understands that I am here, putting their best interests at heart. I am here to identify with your culture, not shoot it down! CULTURE IS NORMAL! I am here to cater to my patient's health needs and to understand that as your doctor, I promise to provide the best care possible.
From working at Lawndale Christian Health Center as a Medical Assistant Intern, I encountered patients that did not have insurance or were under-qualified for insurance. I watched faces of those patients leave the clinic rooms and I could not help but feel joy because my team (the doctor and I) just helped a young woman who could not go anywhere else because she could not afford the treatment. She did not have insurance, but one could tell that the money was not the issue. The doctor was so understanding and created a relationship with his patient so that his patient would not be afraid to ask him for anything. Not only do I want the same doctor-patient relationship with my patients, but I also want to provide my patients with a sense of comfort in knowing that I can relate even if I am wearing a white coat.
I can easily go to the hospital and receive treatment for anything because I am fortunate to do so. But those 47 million uninsured cannot do so I do not want to take my medical degree for granted. I want to use it to help those who need it the most, not just those in Third World Countries, but here in the United States as well. So that is why I want to be a doctor. I have the capacity to learn, the capacity to help others, the passion for medicine and the passion to identify with people so why not be a doctor? I'LL BE AN EXTRAORDINARY DOCTOR!!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Revitalized...Refreshed...Ready
OOOO WWEEE!!!! I have not blogged in a minute and I thought I would be on it everyday. But, we all have our stumbling days....they are only temporary because I always end up picking myself back up. So I will learn to be more consistent with blogging...I PROMISE LOL!!! So I know it has been a while, but I have new information and new spark in my life that is so worth sharing with you all...
So two blogs ago, I wrote about how receiving an interview from SIU MEDPREP would be the best birthday present ever. Well I had been waiting and waiting and then I received an email on my way to tutor my client. WEEELLLLL, I GOT IT!!!! The SIU School of Medicine's MEDPREP Admissions Committee want to meet ME!!! How awesome is that, right? I received the news two days ago about the interview and I am just so excited right now. I have good chills going through my body and ever since finding out, I have been on Cloud 9. I read the email and right away, I sent in my notice form to them about my attendance for the Admissions Day on November 8th and I already booked my hotel room. When I say I want this bad, I mean I want this so unbelievably bad!!! This is the next step to my future and I am just chasing the opportunity as it comes my way. I am so thankful for this interview because now it is for real crunch time...I WILL NOT LET THIS ORGANIC CHEMISTRY KICK MY BUTT!!!!
So the next steps to prepare for this interview are simple: 1. I need a nice clean suit and 2. I need to prepare myself for the interview questions and the tests. I will be taking chemistry, biology, cognitive thinking, reading, and essay tests. SO MUCH, but I will be ready at 7:30am...I believe in the power of prayer and that if I meet God halfway, then he will meet me the other half. I CAN DO THIS!!!
More NEWSSSSS!!!
Yesterday was WILD and my buds came into town!!! Elyse, you gave me some encouraging words of advice and I really appreciate you being an understanding friend. Because of our interests in medicine, we were able to relate in such an amazing way. She is working hard to gain admission into medical school right now and I am doing the same thing. BIG UPS to you Elyse! DEDE, you stay pushing it, girl!!! I love that you are gaining the experience in Texas, but most importantly, you are enjoying it to the fullest!!! You are taking advantage of the opportunity and there isn't anything wrong with it!!! Sarah, you, world traveler!!! You have been so many places these past months...I love that you are still keeping the ambition and the hope!!! I know you staying focused and living life right now so have fun and never let 'em see ya sweat!!!
So on to the real news: For the longest I wanted to find a church home in St. Louis and I finally did TODAY! All yesterday while hanging with my friends, I could not help but see my mother standing in front telling me, "DON'T LET YOUR SATURDAY NIGHTS CHOKE OUT YOUR SUNDAY MORNINGS!" And with all of the laughs with my friends yesterday, I stayed in and stuck with my promise to GOD that I was going to be better about loving HIM and giving HIM honor and praise for blessing after blessing. I mean praising HIM for blessings that I did not even deserve, but in everything that I did, GOD never left my side. When I felt disconnected for the longest from him, he woke me up in the mornings and gave me the activity of my limbs. HE was still there for me and I love HIM for that!!! So, ever since I went home and heard the guest pastor from a church in Detroit preach, I knew that the obstacles I was going through at the time were tests and were periods of darkness. Life was hard at that point and it is still is, but I found my favor again in GOD and since then, my days have been more alive and more accomplished. I know that the periods of darkness are not over because there will be more, but I know that in the midnight hour, GOD will teach me and come through for me. So I am keeping my faith and just typing that feels so good!
I went to church today and the spirit moved through me. I packed up my things and asked the people sitting next to me to let me through because I didn't want the enemy to block the blessings that were coming my way. I joined FTMBC today under watch care, which is what my Pastor back at home told me to do. He would be proud of me for choosing a church home in St. Louis that I feel gives me the teachings I need to hear. I am so happy to be part of the ministry and it has been a long time coming and I am ready for God to use me in so many ways.
So to close this blog, I just want to express how grateful I am for today, the past, and the future to come because I know that GOD is not going to direct me in a path that is not for me. I am his sheep and my Shepard knows me better than anyone else will ever know me and that's a GREAT FEELING!!!
Cheers....good night...
So two blogs ago, I wrote about how receiving an interview from SIU MEDPREP would be the best birthday present ever. Well I had been waiting and waiting and then I received an email on my way to tutor my client. WEEELLLLL, I GOT IT!!!! The SIU School of Medicine's MEDPREP Admissions Committee want to meet ME!!! How awesome is that, right? I received the news two days ago about the interview and I am just so excited right now. I have good chills going through my body and ever since finding out, I have been on Cloud 9. I read the email and right away, I sent in my notice form to them about my attendance for the Admissions Day on November 8th and I already booked my hotel room. When I say I want this bad, I mean I want this so unbelievably bad!!! This is the next step to my future and I am just chasing the opportunity as it comes my way. I am so thankful for this interview because now it is for real crunch time...I WILL NOT LET THIS ORGANIC CHEMISTRY KICK MY BUTT!!!!
So the next steps to prepare for this interview are simple: 1. I need a nice clean suit and 2. I need to prepare myself for the interview questions and the tests. I will be taking chemistry, biology, cognitive thinking, reading, and essay tests. SO MUCH, but I will be ready at 7:30am...I believe in the power of prayer and that if I meet God halfway, then he will meet me the other half. I CAN DO THIS!!!
More NEWSSSSS!!!
Yesterday was WILD and my buds came into town!!! Elyse, you gave me some encouraging words of advice and I really appreciate you being an understanding friend. Because of our interests in medicine, we were able to relate in such an amazing way. She is working hard to gain admission into medical school right now and I am doing the same thing. BIG UPS to you Elyse! DEDE, you stay pushing it, girl!!! I love that you are gaining the experience in Texas, but most importantly, you are enjoying it to the fullest!!! You are taking advantage of the opportunity and there isn't anything wrong with it!!! Sarah, you, world traveler!!! You have been so many places these past months...I love that you are still keeping the ambition and the hope!!! I know you staying focused and living life right now so have fun and never let 'em see ya sweat!!!
So on to the real news: For the longest I wanted to find a church home in St. Louis and I finally did TODAY! All yesterday while hanging with my friends, I could not help but see my mother standing in front telling me, "DON'T LET YOUR SATURDAY NIGHTS CHOKE OUT YOUR SUNDAY MORNINGS!" And with all of the laughs with my friends yesterday, I stayed in and stuck with my promise to GOD that I was going to be better about loving HIM and giving HIM honor and praise for blessing after blessing. I mean praising HIM for blessings that I did not even deserve, but in everything that I did, GOD never left my side. When I felt disconnected for the longest from him, he woke me up in the mornings and gave me the activity of my limbs. HE was still there for me and I love HIM for that!!! So, ever since I went home and heard the guest pastor from a church in Detroit preach, I knew that the obstacles I was going through at the time were tests and were periods of darkness. Life was hard at that point and it is still is, but I found my favor again in GOD and since then, my days have been more alive and more accomplished. I know that the periods of darkness are not over because there will be more, but I know that in the midnight hour, GOD will teach me and come through for me. So I am keeping my faith and just typing that feels so good!
I went to church today and the spirit moved through me. I packed up my things and asked the people sitting next to me to let me through because I didn't want the enemy to block the blessings that were coming my way. I joined FTMBC today under watch care, which is what my Pastor back at home told me to do. He would be proud of me for choosing a church home in St. Louis that I feel gives me the teachings I need to hear. I am so happy to be part of the ministry and it has been a long time coming and I am ready for God to use me in so many ways.
So to close this blog, I just want to express how grateful I am for today, the past, and the future to come because I know that GOD is not going to direct me in a path that is not for me. I am his sheep and my Shepard knows me better than anyone else will ever know me and that's a GREAT FEELING!!!
Cheers....good night...
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Parent Commitment Influences Student Commitment to Education
So today I am hoping that it is not a drag, but sometimes these types of days are necessary to revitalize the mind. My wake up time was about 12:35 p.m. and I started with a bowl of oatmeal and pecans. Yumm!!! Such a good breakfast to start the day.
Normally on Tuesdays, I have General Biology 1 and Organic Chemistry 2, but today I didn't go to Biology because I was not feeling well earlier this morning. I plan to go to Organic Chemistry 2 although the teacher is not great all. He spends all of lecture, one hour and fifteen minutes, just pointing out chemicals and telling us what goes with what. I mean, "Can you teach us please?" That's your job right? Because of his poor teaching approaches, I have spent the past couple of months reading the textbook on my own. I have been teaching myself and trying to keep up with the lectures. Speaking of keeping up though, I have lots of reading to do for that class. I think Biology is my best class though because I keep up with my assignments and my readings in that class more than Organic Chemistry. I need to find a balance! Maybe one of you can help me with that?
So academically, I think I have my studies somewhat under control. I'm glad that I am not falling apart quite yet, but I CAN DO IT! I just have to keep believing that!
I have also been working with Millennial Tutoring Academy which I think is loads of fun because I get to teach children who have the desire to learn. That means so much when I commit so much of my time to tutoring. I want children who have home training and who desire to improve. I just started the Supplemental Education Services program with the children in Jennings and some things certainly concern me:
TOP ISSUE: Parent Committment to Education Influences Their Student's Committment
I contacted a parent to try and set up times for FREE TUTORING and at first the parent was on board with the times we set up. We set up Mondays and Wednesday from 4:15 to 5:45, but when I show up to the school with all of my materials in hand, I receive a phone call from the parent. I have my documents and I am feeling really confident that the tutoring session is going to go well, but this phone call came and everything went downhill. She says that she took her son out of Millennial Tutoring and went to another provider. WHY? I didn't understand this at all because she was in favor of the decisions we had made. She was clearly out of her mind and putting on a facade with me. She told me that she came to the school and talked with the principal about taking her son out of our tutoring program and putting him in another program. My thing is that all of the providers are the same so WHY did she change her mind. Why didn't she let me know before I traveled all the way to Koch Elementary? I felt like I wasted my gas. I dedicate my time to help these children and the parent bails out on me. What type of mess is that? Truthfully, I think she never wanted the tutoring in the first place because she didn't want to come pick her child up from the library when we were done with the session. I mean I ask you to do one thing and you can't do that...#fail.
Now that I think about it, the parent was never enthusiastic about the tutoring to begin with. Every time I called her, she would say, "Yes" and "No." She never had any input about the procedures for tutoring which is what most dedicated parents would do. Most dedicated parents would question about the first couple of sessions and the type of assignments their child would be doing, but NO, she just said, "OK." (and kept it moving #failonceagain.)
But I went up to the school and talked with the boy's teacher and she said that it was really unfortunate that his mother took him out of the program because he really needs the extra help. I think he would have been happy about receiving FREE HELP, but because of his mother, he missed out on the opportunity to do better. WHAT WAS SO BAD ABOUT MILLENNIAL TUTORING THAT SHE HAD TO SWITCH PROGRAMS?
I think good education stems from the household. Parents should be more dedicated to help their children who are not performing as well as they could in school. THAT'S WHAT I AM HERE FOR! Parents always try to make excuses for their children when in actuality, the parent needs to take care of themselves and not penalize their children because of their mess. I think parents' commitment to education influences their child's commitment to learning and improving. It's really unfortunate now because this young boy cannot tutor with the best of the best because his mother thought our program was silly!!! WELP SHE MISSED OUT! SORRY YOUNG MAN THAT YOUR MOM DIDN'T WANT YOU TO TUTOR ANYMORE!!!
I so needed to vent on that issue and I hope that the student that I normally have Saturdays does not bail out on me because her mother...FINGERS CROSSED!!
Well it is 1:52 p.m. and I need to get up and take care of some business as usual. Print out tutoring invoices and tutor service logs and update attendance sheets for the SES Program.
Oh and I hope my private tutoring client shows up today because she really needs the help with her ACT. I really hope that she isn't having problems with her mother again because I think it really affects her ability to learn. I just pray that they work it out so that I can tutor this girl, who I feel wants to improve. I HATE TO SEE THIS HAPPENING TO MY CLIENTS!!!
Well that's all for today!!! Follow me on twitter!!! AspiringAhj...
Normally on Tuesdays, I have General Biology 1 and Organic Chemistry 2, but today I didn't go to Biology because I was not feeling well earlier this morning. I plan to go to Organic Chemistry 2 although the teacher is not great all. He spends all of lecture, one hour and fifteen minutes, just pointing out chemicals and telling us what goes with what. I mean, "Can you teach us please?" That's your job right? Because of his poor teaching approaches, I have spent the past couple of months reading the textbook on my own. I have been teaching myself and trying to keep up with the lectures. Speaking of keeping up though, I have lots of reading to do for that class. I think Biology is my best class though because I keep up with my assignments and my readings in that class more than Organic Chemistry. I need to find a balance! Maybe one of you can help me with that?
So academically, I think I have my studies somewhat under control. I'm glad that I am not falling apart quite yet, but I CAN DO IT! I just have to keep believing that!
I have also been working with Millennial Tutoring Academy which I think is loads of fun because I get to teach children who have the desire to learn. That means so much when I commit so much of my time to tutoring. I want children who have home training and who desire to improve. I just started the Supplemental Education Services program with the children in Jennings and some things certainly concern me:
TOP ISSUE: Parent Committment to Education Influences Their Student's Committment
I contacted a parent to try and set up times for FREE TUTORING and at first the parent was on board with the times we set up. We set up Mondays and Wednesday from 4:15 to 5:45, but when I show up to the school with all of my materials in hand, I receive a phone call from the parent. I have my documents and I am feeling really confident that the tutoring session is going to go well, but this phone call came and everything went downhill. She says that she took her son out of Millennial Tutoring and went to another provider. WHY? I didn't understand this at all because she was in favor of the decisions we had made. She was clearly out of her mind and putting on a facade with me. She told me that she came to the school and talked with the principal about taking her son out of our tutoring program and putting him in another program. My thing is that all of the providers are the same so WHY did she change her mind. Why didn't she let me know before I traveled all the way to Koch Elementary? I felt like I wasted my gas. I dedicate my time to help these children and the parent bails out on me. What type of mess is that? Truthfully, I think she never wanted the tutoring in the first place because she didn't want to come pick her child up from the library when we were done with the session. I mean I ask you to do one thing and you can't do that...#fail.
Now that I think about it, the parent was never enthusiastic about the tutoring to begin with. Every time I called her, she would say, "Yes" and "No." She never had any input about the procedures for tutoring which is what most dedicated parents would do. Most dedicated parents would question about the first couple of sessions and the type of assignments their child would be doing, but NO, she just said, "OK." (and kept it moving #failonceagain.)
But I went up to the school and talked with the boy's teacher and she said that it was really unfortunate that his mother took him out of the program because he really needs the extra help. I think he would have been happy about receiving FREE HELP, but because of his mother, he missed out on the opportunity to do better. WHAT WAS SO BAD ABOUT MILLENNIAL TUTORING THAT SHE HAD TO SWITCH PROGRAMS?
I think good education stems from the household. Parents should be more dedicated to help their children who are not performing as well as they could in school. THAT'S WHAT I AM HERE FOR! Parents always try to make excuses for their children when in actuality, the parent needs to take care of themselves and not penalize their children because of their mess. I think parents' commitment to education influences their child's commitment to learning and improving. It's really unfortunate now because this young boy cannot tutor with the best of the best because his mother thought our program was silly!!! WELP SHE MISSED OUT! SORRY YOUNG MAN THAT YOUR MOM DIDN'T WANT YOU TO TUTOR ANYMORE!!!
I so needed to vent on that issue and I hope that the student that I normally have Saturdays does not bail out on me because her mother...FINGERS CROSSED!!
Well it is 1:52 p.m. and I need to get up and take care of some business as usual. Print out tutoring invoices and tutor service logs and update attendance sheets for the SES Program.
Oh and I hope my private tutoring client shows up today because she really needs the help with her ACT. I really hope that she isn't having problems with her mother again because I think it really affects her ability to learn. I just pray that they work it out so that I can tutor this girl, who I feel wants to improve. I HATE TO SEE THIS HAPPENING TO MY CLIENTS!!!
Well that's all for today!!! Follow me on twitter!!! AspiringAhj...
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Beginning
I have never blogged before and never thought I would until I found the inspiration to do so. I figured that I would give it a try and write my feelings and share my interests to the world. So much has happened to me in the past year and I think that I am so close to getting where I want to be.
So here it goes...I'm trying my hand at it and I want to take you on my everyday journey.
I recently applied to the Southern Illinois University's Medical Preparatory Program. The program will prepare me for medical school and give me a chance to boost my science GPA. Am I scared? Yes...I am more than scared because my future lies in my matriculation into the program. I'm thinking positive and keeping my faith and most of all, claiming this program in my favor. I find out if I receive an interview this week!!!! Fingers crossed!
If I do receive the interview, then I will go to Carbondale during the first or second week of November.
Background Story: So I applied to this same program before and received a denial letter. I did not have all of my pre-requisites so now that I am finishing up those classes, I pray that I am competitive for the program.
Secondly, I want to get all of the advice I can get. I have lots of people on my side. I still hoping that Dean Wilmetta is still on my side because I haven't received a response back from her email I sent like three months ago. I'll try again today!
Thirdly, I am attending the 8th National AMSA ARC/UCD Pre-Medical and Pre-Public Health Conference via online Broadcast. I am registering right now right now as we speak. The conference should be good...and plus its FREE! A good deal right?
That is all for now!
Chasing opportunity...chasing wisdom...chasing my dream!!!! I'm going to make it!!
So here it goes...I'm trying my hand at it and I want to take you on my everyday journey.
I recently applied to the Southern Illinois University's Medical Preparatory Program. The program will prepare me for medical school and give me a chance to boost my science GPA. Am I scared? Yes...I am more than scared because my future lies in my matriculation into the program. I'm thinking positive and keeping my faith and most of all, claiming this program in my favor. I find out if I receive an interview this week!!!! Fingers crossed!
If I do receive the interview, then I will go to Carbondale during the first or second week of November.
Background Story: So I applied to this same program before and received a denial letter. I did not have all of my pre-requisites so now that I am finishing up those classes, I pray that I am competitive for the program.
Secondly, I want to get all of the advice I can get. I have lots of people on my side. I still hoping that Dean Wilmetta is still on my side because I haven't received a response back from her email I sent like three months ago. I'll try again today!
Thirdly, I am attending the 8th National AMSA ARC/UCD Pre-Medical and Pre-Public Health Conference via online Broadcast. I am registering right now right now as we speak. The conference should be good...and plus its FREE! A good deal right?
That is all for now!
Chasing opportunity...chasing wisdom...chasing my dream!!!! I'm going to make it!!
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