Page 14 - MSM Bloomberg Scholarship

Bloomberg Scholarship Impact

Making Student Dreams A Reality

Mackenzie Ellsberry finances and debt all the they have Black doctors.
time. Incurring six figures
Southfield, MI worth of debt feels like a Do you volunteer with
1st-year M.D. student death sentence looming any organizations? Yes,

Why did you choose Morehouse on my shoulders. This I am a part of the MSM
School of Medicine? I chose More- scholarship, however, Black Men in White Coats
house School of Medicine because provides a source of relief chapter. We are a recently
quite frankly, I don’t think there is by covering roughly one formed chapter and seek
another medical school like it. Talk third of my previously to increase the visibility
to any of the students here, talk to anticipated student loan of Black men in medicine
any of the faculty here. They will all debt. and to provide mentorship oppor-
tell you what I am about to tell you. Words cannot express how tunities to Black men in earlier
This institution has a power thankful I am to the Bloomberg stages of their medical careers,
that draws out the best in everyone, Philanthropies for helping me sleep whether they are still in high school
promotes a strong sense of togeth- easier at night by making my debt or college.
erness between classmates and much more manageable.
faculty, and it is a joy to come to What do you hope to accom-
this institution for higher learning What is your take on the na- plish in your career after gradua-
or work. tionwide shortage of Black doctors? tion/residency? I hope to open my
I believe the nationwide shortage own practice that operates at night.

Can you tell me a story about of Black doctors is a vicious circle. My goal in opening a practice that
something that has happened A shortage of Black doctors means runs on such hours is to increase
during medical school that would a shortage of visibility of Black access to healthcare for working
illustrate what the MSM experience doctors. class individuals who may not be
is really like? Due to the pandemic, When young people do not able to take a day off from work to
my freshman class of MD candi- see themselves reflected in a com- visit the doctor.
dates have yet to receive the tradi- munity or profession, they are less
tional MSM experience. Even still, I likely to envision themselves as a If you could say or do one thing
am always grateful for all of the late part of that group. Because Black to thank the Bloomberg Philanthro-
study sessions and Q&A’s that our youth don’t see themselves reflect- pies’ Greenwood Initiative, what
professors host. ed in medicine, they are less likely would it be? You have not only
We have some really great pro- to become doctors, which leads to changed my life for the better, but
fessors at MSM. These professors continued low visibility of Black you have positively impacted the
have made it abundantly clear in all doctors nationwide, and thus the health of the tens of thousands of
of their communication that they cycle repeats itself. patients that I will be responsible
really care about us as individuals. It is important to address that for in the future-many of whom
Coming from a large undergradu- shortage because Black patients will be Black. Thank you!
ate institution, I am still not quite have better health outcomes when
used to being on the receiving end
of some much attention and con- You have not only changed my life for the
sideration from my professors. “ better, but you have positively impacted the
health of the tens of thousands of patients
Has the financial burden of that I will be responsible for in the future-ma-
medical school been particularly ny of whom will be Black. Thank you!
difficult for you? I think about