Page 11 - Scholarship Report 2020

Scholarship Impact

Making Student Dreams A Reality

Nicholas Martin hard circumstances may healthcare disparities as
Kennesaw, GA be as a medical student disproportionate black
maternal mortality rates
1st-year M.D. student at MSM, it is extremely is just a small piece of the
reassuring to know that I
Why did you choose Morehouse am surrounded by faculty bigger picture. Represen-
School of Medicine? I chose MSM and staff that want me to tation to speak, act, and
because Morehouse School of Med- thrive as well as support- advocate for health equity
icine embodies its mission to serve ive peers. within minority popula-
the underserved populations and tions is one of the most
implement services that strive to Has the financial bur- essential steps to pursuing
provide health equity for all people. den of medical school been partic- health equity for all.
My passion and values parallel ex- ularly difficult for you? Absolutely.
actly with the foundation of MSM. Because pursuing a post-graduate What do you hope to accom-
Its mission, and the fact that At- education is extremely expensive, plish in your career after gradua-
lanta is home to me, was a perfect most students focus their trajectory tion/residency? After my residency,
location for me to pursue my med- on paying off loans and financial I hope to work in an urban (pref-
ical education. I believe that MSM independence, rather than follow- erably safety-net) hospital as an
can mold me into the best physi- ing their passion. orthopedic surgeon or pediatrician
cian that I can be by reinforcing its for about 10-15 years. After that
values of service and leadership.. Please share how scholarship period, I want to open a collabora-
support helps you — academical- tive practice that focuses on various
What first interested you in ly, professionally, and personally? specialties, community outreach,
your program of study or medicine? Scholarship support will allow me and health education.
Was there a “light bulb or “a-ha” to focus less on the overwhelming
moment? Seeing the widespread financial obligation of pursuing a If you could say or do one thing
lack of medical resources, disease medical education and thrive aca- to thank your scholarship donors
prevention education, and lack of demically. In a sense, I will also feel what would it be? You are chang-
trust within minority populations free to explore my passions beyond ing the lives of thousands of future
was one of my biggest motivators to areas of comfort. It allows me to doctors, empowering them to chase
pursue medicine. become the best physician I can, their dreams without the burden of
From a more simplistic, but rather than worrying about student financial debt, and paying it for-
personal viewpoint, I also saw debt. Finally, this scholarship will ward to those striving to establish
through my mother’s challenges open more doors to new learning health equity for all. I am extremely
that health is the most important and work experiences. grateful and forever in debt for your
thing you can have on this Earth. investment in my education and
To know that people’s opportunity What is your take on the na- will ensure you that your invest-
to pursue good health is limited by tionwide shortage of Black doctors? ment will not be in vain.
disparities in healthcare and other The inevitable manifestation of
social determinants of health is
heartbreaking. Representation to speak, act, and advo-

Can you tell me a story about “ cate for health equity within minority
something that has happened populations is one of the most essential
during medical school that would steps to pursuing health equity for all.
illustrate what the MSM experi-
ence is really like? No matter how