Bonner Scholar's service hours prepare him for medical career

So, you’re at VCU studying medicine. What made you want to be a doctor?

I wanted to become a physician because I am passionate about serving the underinsured and underserved in urban and rural areas. I appreciate that our country is increasing in its diversity and find that for the betterment of our country’s health, there is a need for physicians who are willing to serve this diverse population.

Did you come to Richmond knowing you wanted to go into medicine?  Talk about some classes, professors or experiences at Richmond that cemented that interest for you.

I am one of the few people in this field who was not born wearing a stethoscope, metaphorically speaking. Throughout high school, I had the opportunity to participate in several summer science enrichment programs here at the University of Richmond with Dr. Paula Lessem, a professor in the biology department. My studies in the basic sciences with Dr. Lessem gave me a strong appreciation for scientific inquiry and research.  Throughout my four years at Richmond, I had the opportunity to research with Dr. Rafael de Sa, who studies the developmental and evolutionary relationships of reptiles and amphibians. From my research with Dr. de Sa, I learned basic biotechnology techniques in molecular biology. During my sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to focus on research with an application to health care and teamed with Dr. Scott Knight, who researches RNA interference. With the new methodology and laboratory techniques, which came with changing research topics, I learned that I was more intrigued by clinical research than basic science research. My experiences with Dr. Lessem, Dr. de Sa, and Dr. Knight helped to shape my passion for science and academic research. It was then my service experience in women’s health at VCU Medical Center that formed and solidified my aspiration to be a physician.  

Talk about the pre-health program at Richmond.  How important was it to making you a successful medical school applicant?  

The pre-health program at Richmond was certainly influential in my becoming a successful medical school applicant. One of the most important aspects was the guidance of my advisor Dr. Vaughan, whose experience and resources helped me to my goal. Along with this excellent advising, the MCAT course here at Richmond is a very affordable way to prepare for the medical school admissions. The greatest benefit of the program is that the Richmond professors who teach the prerequisites in biology, chemistry and physics also teach this intensive two-semester MCAT preparatory class.  Since I already had a strong relationship with these professors from past courses, I knew they were always accessible for additional assistance.

You've done a ton of volunteer work—everything from labor and delivery to tutoring to camp-ins to Katrina relief.  Which ones stand out?

It’s hard for me to pinpoint my most significant service experience simply because each service experience, in its own way, has helped shape my understanding of how the world works. For example, my medical mission trip to Central America as well as my trips to Louisiana and Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina relief has shown me that grassroots efforts are necessary for community development. During my trip to the rural and urban areas of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, I had my first experience in the international community. It was important to learn how groups of people are working together to promote healthcare in these communities.

In this same way, my trips to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina were an eye-opening experience. Although the majority of my energy was used in the reconstruction of damaged houses and supply distribution, my fondest memory of the trip was being able to observe community development planning meetings, where locals shared their complaints and devised ways to disperse resources to people who needed them the most.

What was your trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua like?

This trip was amazing; from learning how to diagnosis illnesses through patient interview to learning herbal remedies, my trip to Central America solidified and intensified passion for medical care and public health. Despite my inadequate Spanish-speaking skills, I had the opportunity not only to offer medical services to the locals of these areas but also to listen to their stories (with the help of a translator of course!). This experience also showed me the importance of cultural competency when working with diverse patients. 

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