Page 8 - Tome Foundation, Inc. Scholarship

Tome´ Scholars
Making Student Dreams A Reality

Kailen Turner focus more on my studies instead of
dwelling on how to pay off my educa-
Las Vegas, NV tion-related expenses.
1st-year M.D. student • Do you volunteer with any orga-
nizations? If so, please provide details
• What first interested you in your of your experiences?
program of study or medicine? Was MSM-Tuskegee Academy CON-
there a “lightbulb” or “a-ha” moment? NECT Mentoring – I mentor a young
Can you tell us about it? girl named Shaniya, and for over
During my senior year of high a year and a half, I have seen her
school, I had the opportunity to vol- blossom. She has transitioned from
unteer at Sunrise Hospital and Medi- being quiet and reserved to now
cal Center, and this experience intro- being a confident and bright student.
duced me to the pediatric healthcare Together, we worked on strengthening
unit. I have always loved working with her math skills and reading compre-
kids, whether through babysitting or hension. I often saw my younger self
mentoring; however, through this ex- within her, and we bonded over our traumatic brain injuries. After pre-
perience, I recognized the importance similarities. paring a meal, I would often speak
of advocating for child’s well-being. Las Vegas Community Service to residents about the day’s activities.
Due to this exposure, I realized it was Activities - During my breaks from Their speaking abilities varied: some
my ultimate desire to become a medi- school, I volunteer with different patients’ speech was unaffected, while
cal doctor. organizations back home such as The others had developed a stutter or
• Why did you choose Morehouse Just One Project and the Las Vegas hesitated when communicating their
School of Medicine? Rescue Mission, taking on tasks such message.
I chose to attend Morehouse as bagging groceries and helping in • What do you hope to accomplish
School of Medicine because I admired the kitchen. in your career after graduation/resi-
its values. I enjoy working directly Sunset Park Family Health Cen- dency?
with people and helping those within ter - During my time spent at the After I graduate from medical
my community, and I feel that attend- Sunset Park Family Health Center, I school and complete my residency, my
ing this school will help me achieve had the opportunity to read to chil- initial goal is to become a pediatrician
this. dren in the waiting room, assist with in an underserved community. I want
• Please share how scholarship a parent-learning group, and enter to focus on lessening the develop-
support helps you — academically, screening data. My goal was to make ment of health disparities in minority
professionally, and personally. patients and families feel comfortable populations.
As an incoming first year MD and satisfied during their healthcare • If you could say or do one thing
student, I am excited and grateful to experience, and to assist physicians in to thank your donors, what would it
be starting the next part of my jour- documenting important information. be?
ney to becoming a physician, but I Briarbank House - Briarbank Thank you so much! I am so
am also slightly nervous about the House is an assisted living center for grateful to have received this scholar-
workload and the financial aspect of individuals who are recovering from ship. This has changed my life.
this endeavor.
During this major transition
in my life, receiving this scholar- My initial goal is to become a pediatrician
ship will take a large burden off my
shoulders. I recognize that during “ in an underserved community. I want
the next four years, it is essential that to focus on lessening the development of
I budget efficiently to put myself in health disparities in minority populations.
the best position further down the
road. This scholarship will help me to