Page 12 - MSM Bloomberg Scholarship
P. 12
Bloomberg Scholarship Impact
Making Student Dreams A Reality
What is your take on
Samantha Mitchell been a challenge. I am on the nationwide shortage
a provisional track and
Adel, GA expect to graduate in 5 of Black doctors? I think
4th-year M.D. student years. This journey has the shortage is discour-
What first interested you in been a difficult one, but aging especially going
your program of study or medi- it is has also made it very through the times that we
cine? Was there a “light bulb” or clear that there is no other are facing. Addressing the
“a-ha” moment? Seeing the dispar- career path I would take. shortage is something that
ities in my hometown that were needs to be done because
connected to health is what drove Has the financial bur- representation is some-
me to pursue a career in medicine den of medical school been partic- thing that truly effects the commu-
ularly difficult for you? There is a nity.
Why did you choose More- huge financial burden that comes
house School of Medicine? I chose with medical school. It has been What advice would you give to
Morehouse because it has many of something I have struggled with someone who is thinking of apply-
the same values that I stand by. My throughout my experience. How- ing to MSM? To really be passion-
goal is to help underserved areas ever, despite the struggle, I would ate about the mission and want to
and be a positive agent of social not want to work with any other be a part of the change you hope to
change to eradicate social determi- demographic population because see in your community.
nants of health that many people I feel like this is where I can make
in my community face. the biggest difference. What do you hope to accom-
plish in your career after gradu-
Can you tell me a story about Please share how scholarship ation/residency? I strive to be a
something that has happened support helps you — academically, future psychiatrist disbarring the
during medical school that would professionally, and personally? The stigma that comes with mental
illustrate what the MSM experi- scholarship helps take part of the health in the black community
ence is really like? I think the com- burden that comes with being in
munity health experience that all medical school off my shoulders. If you could say or do one thing
first-year medical students have to Although I am fortunate to be to thank the Bloomberg Philan-
go through really illustrates what here, managing how I can afford to thropies’ Greenwood Initiative,
MSM is like. sustain this career path has been what would it be? Thank you for
A group of students go to dif- difficult. With this scholarship, I this generational gift. It will help
ferent locations in the community can better focus on my dream of so many people, who like me are
to interview and analyze different becoming a physician because one trying to make a positive change in
problems that area may face. In less obstacle is out of the way. a community that needs it.
doing so, we become exposed to
healthcare issues and try to come
up with ideas to initiate change. My goal is to help underserved areas and
Have you had any difficult be a positive agent of social change to
challenges in your medical/health- “ eradicate social determinants of health
care school journey? Yes the whole that many people in my community face.
process of medical school has
