Medicine is my passion. From observing intensive surgeries conducted by skilled physicians to assisting paramedics in delivering emergency interventions en route to the hospital, providing quality care to individuals in their most vulnerable moments continues to be my true calling.
Within medicine, I strive to be an advocate for change. Here at Duke, I am the recipient of the David M. Rubenstein full merit scholarship awarded to underrepresented minority students. Originating from a low-income, first-generation, single-parent household, I aim to expose certain racial and socioeconomic biases within the healthcare field and serve as a role model. Ultimately, I strive to encourage those from similar backgrounds that it is possible to achieve your wildest dreams, life has not been pre-determined for you, and you are more than your given circumstances. I also aim to bring my future patients the assurance of being treated by a physician who believes they deserve to be heard and have each and every need met to eradicate existing intimidation and stigma. I am also interested in largely providing for my community and a long-term goal of mine would be to open a free clinic in my homeland of Ghana in West Africa.
I have immersed myself within medical settings to further solidify my interest while attending Duke. I completed an emergency medicine summer internship with New York University centered around patient advocacy where I had the opportunity to shadow the brightest physicians, interact with patients from a wide range of backgrounds, and give back to the homeless population of New York. I also received the Duke EMS Empowerment Scholarship to obtain my EMT certification and work with Duke EMS and the Durham community. Additionally, I am a research assistant with the Duke University School of Medicine Radiation Oncology laboratory, utilizing differing biomedical devices for tumor eradication.
I chose to obtain a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry as I enjoy the many applications this major has introduced to my own life. I am also interested in the neuroscience of addiction and how addictive substances plague entire communities. One of my favorite engagements is volunteering with local Durham middle schools to excite students about STEM. I am looking forward to a fulfilling career in medicine and Cardea has been my biggest support throughout this journey!
“I love being a Cardea Fellow because it is preparing me to become the best doctor that I could possibly be. Cardea builds character, promotes awareness about issues within medicine, provides the outline for how to reach medical school, and enriches us as a whole. I feel as if I will come out a better student, a better person, and ultimately a better physician because of this amazing program.”
