A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on my med school journey (as I often do), but this time getting frustrated. Why was my journey so different than I imagined it would be 6 years ago? In a matter of seconds, two words came to mind - curve balls. Yes, Derin, life is always going to … Continue reading Who Moved My Cheese?! – Reminiscing on Unexpected Changes
Minorities in medicine
Updates: “Where You Been Girl?!”
It's been exactly 6 weeks since my last post, YIKES! It's not that I have nothing to write about or update on, it's just...well, a combination of different things: Been really busy - a promotion means more work. And boy, have I been working! The healthcare management course - Absolutely love it! I have so much … Continue reading Updates: “Where You Been Girl?!”
Reflecting on 2014: A Year of Greater
It's that time of the year when I sit and reflect on the year - the highlights, the lessons learned, the challenges, and the celebratory moments. To do this, I use my journal and scan through the many months of writing, laughing, "oOoo'ing" and "Awww'ing" all through the exercise. It is in this moment I … Continue reading Reflecting on 2014: A Year of Greater
RWJF Scholars Forum & SMDEP 25th Anniversary Alumni Luncheon
This past weekend I was in Washington, D.C. for the SMDEP Alumni Summit and 25th Anniversary Celebration. Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded program for underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged students on the medical or dental path. It offers academic enrichment, clinical exposure, career development, health policy seminars, and … Continue reading RWJF Scholars Forum & SMDEP 25th Anniversary Alumni Luncheon
Perelman School of Medicine 2015 Summer Pre-Med Enrichment Program for URM Students
Hey Y'all! I received an email about this program and I figured I'ld share with my younger readers. You don't have to be a Penn undergraduate, so if you meet the eligibility criteria, I encourage you to apply! I personally did not do the program, but it definitely seems like a GREAT opportunity. Check out … Continue reading Perelman School of Medicine 2015 Summer Pre-Med Enrichment Program for URM Students
Meet Micky – A 1st Year Med Student at Icahn School of Med at Mt. Sinai
What happens when you don't get in the first time? You DON'T give up. Instead, you reflect, change your approach, and attack it again. And that's precisely what Micky did. Micky is a first year medical student at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. After an unsuccessful medical school application cycle, he did not … Continue reading Meet Micky – A 1st Year Med Student at Icahn School of Med at Mt. Sinai
Meet Olivia – A 2nd Year Med Student at University of Texas Med Branch
From professional athlete to medical student, Olivia certainly had an interesting journey to med school. She ran Track professionally for a year before going into medical school. I am very excited to feature her as a med student spotlight! Check out Olivia's story and her words of advice. So what led you to pursue medicine? … Continue reading Meet Olivia – A 2nd Year Med Student at University of Texas Med Branch
Meet Billy – A 3rd Year Med Student at Temple University
Billy is a 3rd year medical student at Temple University School of Medicine. I met him last year at the SNMA Region VIII Conference at Temple. Side note: SNMA conferences are great avenues to meet minorities in medicine. I met Billy and other down-to-earth medical students who showed me that hey, med students are normal … Continue reading Meet Billy – A 3rd Year Med Student at Temple University
Meet Kathryn – A 2nd year Med Student at Meharry Medical College
"You have to fail a little in life to be able to survive and thrive and I am no longer afraid of failure. If I never fail, it just means that my goals aren’t high enough." - Kathryn An MIT alum and 2nd year med student at Meharry Medical College, Kathryn is a testament that when it comes … Continue reading Meet Kathryn – A 2nd year Med Student at Meharry Medical College
Lessons on Cultural Competency: The Nod
I recently stumbled on Dr. Kimberly Manning's blog "Reflections of a Grady Doctor" and found this gem. She recently had her article "The Nod" published in The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) - the July 9, 2014 issue. The Nod is a reflection on a common "black-on-black acknowledgment usually given in situations where only a few … Continue reading Lessons on Cultural Competency: The Nod
A. Adejare-Smith, MD 