April 16, 2024 • 26 mins
Ever imagined yourself stepping into the world of medicine, only to find your path is nothing like you expected? That's the story of Dr. Cierrea Roach-Gerald and future Dr. Jayla Calhoun, our esteemed guests from North Carolina Central University, who share their experiences of switched dreams and embracing the unpredictability of a medical career. From initial aspirations in sports and psychology to the realization of their true calling in healthcare, their tales are a testament to the power of open-mindedness and seizing opportunities as they come.
Navigating the intense demands of medical education requires more than just intellect; it demands an inner resilience that both of our guests have cultivated in spades. They open up about their academic hurdles, from flunked exams to confronting learning disabilities, and the crucial support systems that have carried them through. This episode goes beyond the textbooks, revealing how family prayers, mentorship, and lasting friendships from their HBCU underpin the emotional fortitude necessary to thrive in the medical field. It's a conversation that reassures us that our most challenging moments often lead to our greatest growth.
What does a day in the life of a rural pediatrician or a medical student really look like? Dr. Roach-Gerald and Jayla Calhoun pull back the curtain on the daily balancing act between clinical duties, personal well-being, and the pursuit of work-life harmony. Their insights highlight the importance of sustaining a consistent effort, cherishing the journey, and recognizing the unique value that each individual brings to medicine. Whether you're a current healthcare professional or someone considering the leap into this noble field, you'll find a dose of inspiration and a wealth of wisdom in the stories and advice shared within this episode.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone.
We are live at North CarolinaCentral University for the B-Man
Amplified Tour.
This is our second stop andwe're delighted to have Dr
Sierra Roach-Gerald and futureDr Jayla Calhoun for our awesome
panelists, as well as ouramazing networking session that
took place afterwards.
Let's jump right into theepisode.
I'm going to ask you all somequestions and you guys just let
(00:38):
us know.
Okay, Sounds good, All right.
So the first question I havefor both of you all is when did
you become interested inpursuing a career in medicine?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
You want to go first, you can go first, okay, so mine
is actually pretty interesting.
I didn't.
I actually wanted to be a WNBAbasketball player and then teach
in the off-season because Ireally love kids.
And then I came to Central.
I went to school of science inmy high school I had a lot, and
then I came to Central, I wentto school of science and math
for high school.
I had a lot of friends thatcame to Central.
(01:08):
So that's what got me intoCentral and came here and they
had a pre-med program, earlymedical school selection program
, and I pretty much had todecide between early education
and chemistry.
I ended up choosing chemistry.
I don't know how I had those asmy two options, and getting in
that program really got me intothe field of medicine.
(01:29):
So I actually had no interestin medicine, just wanted to work
with kids, and I still get towork with kids.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Fantastic For me.
When I started undergrad, I wasactually a psych major.
I thought I was going to getinto psychology, so I wasn't
really interested in being aphysician per se.
But then I started takingpsychology classes and I was
like I actually don't like thisvery much.
So I transitioned prettyquickly to being a pre-med and
(01:57):
as a basketball student I was inthe training room quite a bit
and I would see, you know, theorthopedic specialists in there
and they kind of just inspiredme.
I was like I really kind ofthink what they're doing is cool
and I wanted to get into that.
The orthopedic specialist inthere and they kind of just
inspired me.
I was like I really kind ofthink what they're doing is cool
and I wanted to get into that.
So that's why I decided to getinto medicine.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Awesome.
So it sounds like for both ofyou, medicine wasn't necessarily
the immediate path you thoughtyou were going to take.
That's right.
So what was that like?
Making that transition?
Because I know a lot ofstudents.
Sometimes they may pursue onepath and realize this is not for
me, but may be hesitant tochange directions.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
What was that like for you and what was kind of the
tipping point to make you sayit's okay to change?
I guess I didn't actuallychange like majors or anything.
Well, I went from chemistry tobio because to finish on time I
kind of had to majors, um.
But I think summer programs soum are a big thing.
So there's like the SMDP.
There's a whole bunch ofprograms out there and I really
(02:52):
enlighten all of you guys tolook up.
I know we had health careersback then.
I think I've changed the nameof it now um, as far as like the
pre-med, but um, I reallyenlighten everybody to like look
into summer programs and getthat exposure.
Um, I know everybody's like, oh, it's summertime, I'm getting
my break, but honestly,challenge yourself and just do
six weeks in a summer program,get that experience, because
(03:15):
you'll get that experience thenthat you won't get later in life
.
And so me doing a summerprogram every summer kind of got
me into seeing that I wanted todo medicine.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Nice.
A summer program every summerkind of got me into seeing that
I wanted to do medicine.
For me I actually was gonna saysimilarly like a summer program
.
So after I finishedundergraduate, undergraduate was
a blur for me.
When I changed my major tobiology also a blur I don't even
know if I really consciouslymade that decision.
I was just like I'm doing it.
I finished in three years.
So I feel like when I was done,when I actually graduated, I
still wasn't 100% sure and clearabout the path I wanted to take
(03:53):
.
And I actually did the MEDprogram at UNC and for me that
was kind of my transformativeexperience where I was like,
okay, no, this is something I'mqualified for.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
I'm capable of and something that I would really
enjoy doing.
Can I piggyback on that?
Of course so.
And one thing that helps I endup doing the one at ECU, but
that helps you get into thosemedical programs.
So they get to see you thatsummer before and so they get to
see your work ethic andsometimes you can get letter of
recommendations there and stufflike that.
But that networking, that thatyou do because you actually work
with the actual medicalstudents, so they're usually the
(04:29):
ones that are going to be yourtutors or your teachers, and so
getting that experience in thoseprograms is beyond incredible.
So I definitely piggyback whatshe's saying.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Sorry to piggyback again definitely piggyback what
she's saying.
Sorry to piggyback again, butyou know, in the MED program
specifically, I know we hadteachers who taught us in the
MED program who were teacherswhen I was in my first year of
medical school.
So definitely the crossover isthere and also, like you were
saying, it helps you inapplication or when you're
applying, because when I appliedto UNC as an MED alumni, as an
(05:08):
MAD alumni, my name was alreadyput into a different category as
soon as I applied.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Awesome.
So you all both made a greatpoint about summer programs and
the importance of doing those tonot only get to know what
you're interested in and makingsure that your interest is
something you already arefamiliar with and getting some
extra exposure, but then reallybuilding connections at the
university and really takingthat opportunity to network with
the individuals there.
What other things do you thinkare important for students
(05:36):
besides summer programs, asthey're thinking about pursuing
health professional school andmedical school?
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I would say keep yourself, like your applicant,
your application broad.
So whatever your interest is.
So I volunteered at CC Spaldinglike for three years and just
taught in the kindergarten class.
So whatever is your interest,they like to see that you have
an interest and that you'regoing to be committed to it.
Not, hey, I went andvolunteered five hours Yay, give
(06:03):
me a kudos.
They don't want to see thatthey going to be committed to it
.
Not, hey, I went andvolunteered five hours Yay, give
me a kudos.
They don't want to see that.
They want to see that you didsomething for a prolonged amount
of time.
And so even there's a buttloadof hospitals around here that
you can also volunteer andthere's a whole network of
physicians around that you canget shadowing experience.
I would definitely recommendany of that as things that you
(06:24):
can consider.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, I would definitely say, in terms of
experiences and gettingexperiences, quality over
quantity, like you're saying,you really want to be able to
speak about those experiencesand speak to how they
transformed you as a person,versus just having it on your
application, just something youdid.
As well as that, I would liketo say that what I would like
you to get, from me at least, isthat this is going to be a hard
experience.
It's difficult.
(06:47):
If it was easy, everybody woulddo it right.
So building your network ofpeople who you know you can lean
on and who are your supportsystem, now, early, is really
important to kind of supportingyourself in the future and
making sure that you're settingyourself up for success.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
And building those connections we had I think it
was Dr Hardy was over, like thehonors program and he would like
pay for he would give like onescholarship a year to take an
MCAT class.
And so building those networksand like reaching out, and it's
going to be expensive.
That's one thing people do nottell you.
It's going to be expensive.
(07:22):
From application you think MCATis going to be expensive.
Wait until you all see a boardexam.
It's going to be.
I know, I'm sorry, it's like$2,500.
But it is expensive.
And so go ahead and startbuilding those networks, looking
for scholarships.
(07:43):
You'd be surprised how manypeople want to give back and
help, especially minorities, andhelp and say, hey, you don't
have the funds to study for theMCAT, all right, let me buy your
books so you can get that.
So build those networks.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I love that.
So, from networking to makingsure you're thinking about
summer programs, to making sureyou're thinking about shadowing
experiences, one thing I thinkstudents may need to also
consider is making sure you cantalk about the experiences very
eloquently.
You know, when I'm in the, I'mon the admissions interview
committee at UNC and one thingthat I notice some students are
(08:17):
really strong about knowing whatthey did, how they did it, why,
what impact it had, how itimpacted them.
Other students can kind of justmention something and then
don't have anything to back itup.
So, to your point, making sureyou've been committed to
something but then really knowhow to speak about it and what
you did in that experience isreally important too.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
And a class that they make you take care.
I can't remember the name of it, but professionalism it matters
.
Do not go in there and saypeople by their first name, call
them doctor.
If in there and say people bytheir first name, call them
doctor.
If you don't know if they're adoctor, call everybody doctor,
call them Mr or Mrs, but keepingthat respect is so important.
Like, do not treat it like it'sone of your friends and LOL.
Don't do that when you're inthe interview.
(08:55):
It's going to go a long way,good or bad, depending on how
you do.
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
So let's talk a little bit about what challenges
did you all experience, youknow, before med school, or
thinking about the transition tomed school Because, as you said
, it's hard.
At times it's expensive whenwe're paying for tests and
things.
So what challenges can youshare with the students that you
may have encountered prior tomed school or even along the
journey?
Speaker 3 (09:19):
at any point, so I tell this story and I won't say
who, the person, the person'sname, but at one point, when I
was applying for medical schoolthe second time because I didn't
get in my first time, becauseit happens Sometimes you fail
and sometimes you have to pickyourself back up right.
So the second time I wasapplying again and I wouldn't
have this meeting with thisperson who's supposed to be
(09:40):
reviewing my application, andthey looked me dead in the eye
and were like you should saveyour money, don't even worry
about applying, you're not goingto get in this year.
And that broke my heart.
I was like so sad, um, and itwas crazy because I walked right
across the hall to DrCostantini and I was probably
crying and Dr Costantini waslike who is he?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
what is he?
Speaker 3 (10:02):
and she like talked me out of it, snapped me out of
it, um, and that experience Imean.
Obviously it made me feel badat that moment, but and she took
, she snapped me out of it, butfor me it was like going forward
, I need to be that person formyself.
No, no, no, wait a minute.
Take this if it's, if it'svalid criticism, take that
criticism, but don't take itpersonal, um, and if you take
(10:22):
that personal, take it personalfor for half a second.
Get over it.
We gotta move on, we gotta keeppushing.
And you know what I did make itinto medical school.
So I could have let that reallydiscourage me and withdraw my
applications, but I didn't.
So you know, here we are today.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I would say mine would be more when I was in
residency.
So I kind of went straightthrough, started to actually
struggle in medical school.
I love kids and I actually fellthe peach shelf, learned I fell
like three shelves back to backto back, and then I learned
that I have dyslexia.
(10:59):
Um, and the reason I wasgetting so far is because I
could read fast, but I actuallywas actually struggling but I
was a fast reader, so that's howI compensated for so long, um
and so in medical school I meanin residency you have different
steps you have to take.
So I like had failed this steplike three times.
I was about to get kicked out.
(11:19):
I was like 45 seconds short onmy PT test and I had to meet
with the dean and he said well,you got a less than 5% chance of
passing everything in the lastmonth.
So pretty much you should packup your bags.
But you know praying familiesand I always believe in God
first.
Anything can happen pasteverything.
(11:39):
But I still I mean you're goingto struggle but don't
necessarily give up, okay, andyou'll have to figure out
different ways to kind ofconquer those things.
So I have to take more time tostudy.
I'd like to take a year tostudy for my boards now, and so
you'll figure out those things,but you're going to have
challenges, unfortunately.
I mean, maybe there is somebodyin medical school who never
(12:01):
failed a test, but there isprobably nobody in medical
school who has never failed atest.
Like you're going to have yourups and downs.
You just can't give up andcontinue to push yourself.
I love that.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Go ahead.
I was just going to say I liketo remind myself whenever I do
feel like you're not the onlyperson you're literally just
it's impossible for you to bethe first person, and only
person, to pass this.
No one's going to tell you inmedical school that they failed,
but surely someone in that roomfell with you.
So I mean, like I said, take amoment to feel bad about it, but
at the end of the day you gottathat's not useful to you, you
(12:31):
gotta move on, you gotta keeppushing, you gotta do what's
useful and that's keep moving.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Absolutely, and that's a common theme.
I think students don't realizethat it's not perfect.
No journey is perfect, and Ithink people we know the
importance of being a greatdoctor has nothing to do with
the tests that you take in theclasswork, that you do not from
the sake of being competent,proficient, but what it takes to
actually be a doctor and takecare of patients is not the
(12:58):
grade you get on a test, and sothat's something I just want to
keep say to you all as well,because there will be times
where you do great and there'llbe some times where you don't do
as good as you would like to,but that doesn't mean you have
to stop or feel like you areunable to accomplish your goals,
because we have amazing peoplesitting right here who are
accomplishing those goals,who've also had ups and downs,
like myself as well, and so Ithink it's important to know
(13:20):
that, as you move through yourjourneys, that it's okay to hit
bumps in the road and keep going.
So I want to talk a bit aboutwhen you were here at Central,
what were some of the highlightsfor you, and if you had to get
a student to come here to learnand be ready to go to med school
.
What would you say to thatfuture student as eagles I?
Speaker 2 (13:43):
don't know that I was ready for that question.
so I feel like my um, thefriends and and the mentors that
you'll meet at Central youwon't meet anywhere else.
So I still I'm faced withfriends of my professors, like I
(14:07):
still talk to my professors.
We have a group, we have an18-person Central group chat.
We still are connected.
All of us want to say thescience majors, but those bonds
that you build um in undergradyou will keep those um, I
haven't said my husband.
I met him well, we knew of eachother at central.
We just didn't date at centralum, but um, so those like
(14:32):
connections that you'll make um,I don't, I don't think you can
take away from that.
And the HBU experience is justlike no other.
So I know you can say that nowthat you've been to a different
school.
But going to a different schoollike I went to ECU for a
medical school it's going to bea totally different atmosphere
and so just having thatexperience at some point in your
(14:52):
life, I think is amazing Havingthis small classroom like this
and not 500 people in yourclassroom.
I think is amazing Having thislike small classroom like this
and not 500 people in yourclassroom, it just means a lot.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Hello everyone.
Are you enjoying the episode sofar this week?
Well, I'm excited to announcethat this week's episode is
sponsored by the B-Med app.
That's right, you heard it theBlack Med Connect app.
This app will be for any Blackor brown pre-medical students,
medical students, residents,fellows and attendings, even for
(15:21):
institutions.
We're in the process ofdeveloping our app and we wanted
to share it with you now, so ifyou're interested in receiving
updates on when the B-Med appwill be available to the world,
then head on over tobmanconnectcom slash app A-P-P
and join the waitlist.
(15:41):
Let's jump right back into theepisode.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
And that's one thing I would tell, like even my child
, and recommend them going toCentral.
I always recommend people go tothe HBCUs and keeping it alive.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Equally.
I think, yeah, like solidexperience here.
I really loved it here.
I would say for me my mostproud and best moment is when I
presented my thesis, my graduatethesis.
When I finished that I was sohappy man.
It was really rough.
Dr Constantini was yelling atme, sending me very angry emails
about my writing techniques,and it was just really nice to
(16:23):
have that all culminate in apresentation that went really,
really well and it was reallywell received and it felt really
good to reach that mountaintop,at least for a graduate's
degree.
And then she took us out afterfor drinks and food.
So that again speaks to thefact that you are building
relationships here that I thinkwill carry over.
If I have any problems or if Iever need anything, I know I can
(16:44):
count on her and reach out toher for that.
I love that Now.
I count on her and reach out toher for that.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
I love that.
Now, I'm not an eagle but I'm arattler.
So, fam you, I'm going to do mylittle rattler.
I know I'm in a room full ofeagles, but the community, right
, what you guys are speaking tois the community that you have
and the bonds that really arenever broken.
So cherish your moments whileyou're here and the connections
you're building, because youwill rely on and come back to
these individuals for years tocome.
(17:09):
So I want to ask you all aboutif you've ever experienced
imposter syndrome or thatfeeling of you know, not feeling
am I supposed to be here or doI deserve to be in this space,
and what was that like for youand how did you overcome?
Or for me, I know it stillhappens now how do you actively
continue to overcome thatfeeling of imposter syndrome?
Speaker 3 (17:34):
For me.
I know I was saying thisearlier, but like I'm really
blessed, in my class at UNC wedo have like a large, large
population of black women in ourclass.
There's like 20, so I canalways I know I can reach out to
them if I ever feel that way,because they're gonna slap me
and say, no, we're all meant tobe here.
But really I liked, like I said, building and using your
support systems is reallyimportant and for me, my biggest
(17:56):
supporter has always been mydad.
So if I call my dad, I knowhe's going to give me a pep
squad cheerleader routine forthe ages and tell me how great I
am.
So for me, if I ever feel likethat, I like to call him.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
I agree with you.
I don't think you can everreally get rid of that kind of
syndrome.
I would say I get it more nowthan I did at Central at ECU.
It just kind of depends on theatmosphere of that school or
where you're at.
Y'all can quote these factslater because I don't know 100%.
(18:30):
But the African-Americanpopulation in medicine hasn't
really changed.
It hangs between 5% and 8%.
So you're not going to see 80people in your class, it's just
the numbers just aren't there.
And then women in medicine islike 1% or 2%.
And so once you get out Ishouldn't say real world, but
(18:50):
once you start getting into yourown career and your own paths,
you're not going to seenecessarily as many
african-american physicians oras many um women, um, in your
fields.
Especially when you start goinginto leadership, um, it gets
similar and slimmer.
It's more of a, a guy's field.
You know women are having kidsand and it's just just the way
(19:11):
medicine just hasn't changed,which is why things like this
make good networking experiencesfor you to be the one to
conquer that.
So I don't necessarily thinkI've actually conquered it.
I think you're going to face it, no matter where you are.
You just got to have thatresiliency to get through it
until the next opportunity comes.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Just to piggyback on that, Ithink, as you go from med school
, where you may have 20, I knowwe had 25 in my class at Duke,
but that was rare.
The next class only had sixpeople, so each year may be
different.
When I was a resident, I wasthe only black woman in my
residency class, even though Iwas in Atlanta, georgia.
So you will come across timeswhere you may be the only one
(19:55):
and you.
That's why it's reallyimportant to like, savor where
you are and enjoy what you'redoing right now, because, as you
go along to your point, we onlyrepresent about 5% of all
physicians, and then, when youbreak that out by specialties,
some specialties are less than5% for African Americans, and so
you will be a trailblazer inwhatever area you pursue.
And so, with that, I would loveto hear about what a day in the
(20:18):
life looks like for you nowwith your experiences.
Well, let's just say a day inthe last few months, okay?
Speaker 3 (20:27):
So I've been a dedicated person.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
I thought you could go for the last two years okay
okay.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
So let's see.
It really just depends on wherelife is.
Um, but I would say um rightnow.
Usually I'll just pretend I'mon round, so I still do like
full scope.
Where I round at the hospital,I'll see newborn babies.
I'll just pretend I'm on round,so I still do like full scope.
Where I round at the hospitalI'll see newborn babies, I'll
see pediatric patients and thenI'll go to the clinic afterwards
(20:56):
and I'll probably be at thehospital for two or three hours.
Then I'll go to the clinic,have patients in the morning,
get a little lunch and then I'llhave a full afternoon and then
I'll go back to the hospital andround on whoever was born
afterwards.
I am in like rural pediatricsand so there's not many
full-scope pediatrics.
(21:17):
Everybody's kind of shiftinginto like you either do hospital
, you do clinic, but notnecessarily all of it anymore.
It's funny that you say thatbecause in the next year I plan
to transition to just hospitalwork because I'm tired of doing
both.
So but that's kind of how myday usually is.
But I also do a lot of teaching.
(21:38):
I teach like NRP, I work withthe residents.
I actually have to prepare alecture for them for Thursday.
It really just depends on theday with me, so I also do a
little locums too.
So, like this weekend I went, Iwent to like another hospital
and covered for them.
They're not necessarily in thecountry, but usually it's a lot
(21:58):
of small hospitals that needcoverage, whether people are out
sick or they just don't have adoctor right now, and so it
really just depends on my day,but I actually kind of do a
little bit of everythingthroughout the day.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
It's a pretty busy day, okay.
So for me, as a medical student, our first two years at UNC are
like book work, more didacticlearning stuff.
So for me, 8 to 12 every dayI'm a class goer.
We don't have mandatory class.
I know it changed for the newcurriculum, but forer we don't
have mandatory class.
I know it changed for the newcurriculum, but for us we didn't
have mandatory class.
(22:33):
So 8 to 12, I would go though,and then I would take a small
break.
And let's say it's a Wednesday.
So I have PCC, which is ourpatient-centered care course,
where we would talk aboutclinical care, and we would do
that from 2 to 5 and then gohome and probably study for a
(22:54):
couple hours, get ready for thenext day.
We were saying that myschedule's changed because I've
been studying for one of our bigexams for the past like two
months, and so now my schedule'sjust been like wake up at 8 am
and study till 5.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
So but one thing I want to add in there is don't
forget to cherish the thingsthat are important to you.
So throughout, like medicalschool, throughout, even
undergrad for me, throughresidency, going to church was
important to me, so I always fitthat in and had that in my
schedule.
I'm also an OCD person.
(23:28):
Don't ask my husband how manyschedules I make and it's a
little bit crazy.
But whatever is important toyou, make sure you have time for
that.
Whether it's family, childrenvisiting family, make sure you
set down that time for thoseimportant things.
Whether it's reading 30 minutesor watching your favorite TV
show, whatever it is thatmatters to you, because that's
(23:49):
going to keep you sane and so,whatever it is, don't forget to
add that into your schedule.
Exercise forgot about that, butyou know, don't forget to add
all that stuff in there.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
I love that, especially because as you go
there will be times where youcan't do as much of what you
love, and then there will beother times where you can fit it
in more.
But the whole time you got totry to find at least a little
window to spend time with familyfriends to, for me, prayer,
like you said, faith.
Going to church was big for metoo.
Um, and then from a studyingperspective I know you mentioned
(24:21):
, you know you said eight tofive.
You said it kind of quietly,yeah sorry, but when you're
studying- for your step exams.
It takes that much.
And to your point of going toclass.
Some people will be okay withvirtual and med school, but for
me, I was a class goer too, so Ifelt like going to have the
material I would listen to, thelectures that were, you know,
given to us, but then go toclass because it helped.
(24:43):
So ultimately I say I'd have tosay find what works for you all
with studying, because it willbe a step up from what you're
doing now to medical school.
The amount of studying you haveto do really does change.
So building on those studyhabits early is important for
sure like you might have a wholesemester here.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
You're gonna get that in like two weeks, yeah, that's
two or three weeks, um, it'sgonna be like one, two, one test
, um, and so you gotta, andyou're gonna have four or five
of those classes like that, andso, whatever study habits are
good or bad, as you're trying tofigure out what works for you,
start working on them, buildingthose.
And it's not going to be I'mgoing to start studying at 8 pm
(25:23):
the night before the test,because you might as well cancel
it.
It ain't going to work.
Just don't go, don't do thatAbsolutely so.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
I have one.
If you had to leave theseindividual students with one
parting word of wisdom beforethey ask some questions, what
would you leave them with?
And then I have one last bolusround question.
I'll explain in a minute too.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
I guess I would say pray, be consistent, enjoy what
you do and just continue to pushyourself, continue to strive
high.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
I would say that there is value in your
perspective and always know thatyou have value in your
perspective.
So, going forward, always beconfident and stay true to
yourself.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
We hope you enjoyed this week's episode of the B-Med
Amplified Tour.
This is part one.
At North Carolina CentralUniversity, Students had amazing
questions and we'd like tothank Dr Sierra Roach-Gerald and
future Dr Jayla Calhoun.
Until next time, alwaysremember to dream without limits
.
Be sure to like, comment andsubscribe to Black Med Connect.
Hello everyone.
We are live at North CarolinaCentral University for the B-Man
Amplified Tour.
This is our second stop andwe're delighted to have Dr
Sierra Roach-Gerald and futureDr Jayla Calhoun for our awesome
panelists, as well as ouramazing networking session that
took place afterwards.
Let's jump right into theepisode.
I'm going to ask you all somequestions and you guys just let
(00:38):
us know.
Okay, Sounds good, All right.
So the first question I havefor both of you all is when did
you become interested inpursuing a career in medicine?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
You want to go first, you can go first, okay, so mine
is actually pretty interesting.
I didn't.
I actually wanted to be a WNBAbasketball player and then teach
in the off-season because Ireally love kids.
And then I came to Central.
I went to school of science inmy high school I had a lot, and
then I came to Central, I wentto school of science and math
for high school.
I had a lot of friends thatcame to Central.
(01:08):
So that's what got me intoCentral and came here and they
had a pre-med program, earlymedical school selection program
, and I pretty much had todecide between early education
and chemistry.
I ended up choosing chemistry.
I don't know how I had those asmy two options, and getting in
that program really got me intothe field of medicine.
(01:29):
So I actually had no interestin medicine, just wanted to work
with kids, and I still get towork with kids.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Fantastic For me.
When I started undergrad, I wasactually a psych major.
I thought I was going to getinto psychology, so I wasn't
really interested in being aphysician per se.
But then I started takingpsychology classes and I was
like I actually don't like thisvery much.
So I transitioned prettyquickly to being a pre-med and
(01:57):
as a basketball student I was inthe training room quite a bit
and I would see, you know, theorthopedic specialists in there
and they kind of just inspiredme.
I was like I really kind ofthink what they're doing is cool
and I wanted to get into that.
The orthopedic specialist inthere and they kind of just
inspired me.
I was like I really kind ofthink what they're doing is cool
and I wanted to get into that.
So that's why I decided to getinto medicine.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Awesome.
So it sounds like for both ofyou, medicine wasn't necessarily
the immediate path you thoughtyou were going to take.
That's right.
So what was that like?
Making that transition?
Because I know a lot ofstudents.
Sometimes they may pursue onepath and realize this is not for
me, but may be hesitant tochange directions.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
What was that like for you and what was kind of the
tipping point to make you sayit's okay to change?
I guess I didn't actuallychange like majors or anything.
Well, I went from chemistry tobio because to finish on time I
kind of had to majors, um.
But I think summer programs soum are a big thing.
So there's like the SMDP.
There's a whole bunch ofprograms out there and I really
(02:52):
enlighten all of you guys tolook up.
I know we had health careersback then.
I think I've changed the nameof it now um, as far as like the
pre-med, but um, I reallyenlighten everybody to like look
into summer programs and getthat exposure.
Um, I know everybody's like, oh, it's summertime, I'm getting
my break, but honestly,challenge yourself and just do
six weeks in a summer program,get that experience, because
(03:15):
you'll get that experience thenthat you won't get later in life
.
And so me doing a summerprogram every summer kind of got
me into seeing that I wanted todo medicine.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Nice.
A summer program every summerkind of got me into seeing that
I wanted to do medicine.
For me I actually was gonna saysimilarly like a summer program
.
So after I finishedundergraduate, undergraduate was
a blur for me.
When I changed my major tobiology also a blur I don't even
know if I really consciouslymade that decision.
I was just like I'm doing it.
I finished in three years.
So I feel like when I was done,when I actually graduated, I
still wasn't 100% sure and clearabout the path I wanted to take
(03:53):
.
And I actually did the MEDprogram at UNC and for me that
was kind of my transformativeexperience where I was like,
okay, no, this is something I'mqualified for.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
I'm capable of and something that I would really
enjoy doing.
Can I piggyback on that?
Of course so.
And one thing that helps I endup doing the one at ECU, but
that helps you get into thosemedical programs.
So they get to see you thatsummer before and so they get to
see your work ethic andsometimes you can get letter of
recommendations there and stufflike that.
But that networking, that thatyou do because you actually work
with the actual medicalstudents, so they're usually the
(04:29):
ones that are going to be yourtutors or your teachers, and so
getting that experience in thoseprograms is beyond incredible.
So I definitely piggyback whatshe's saying.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Sorry to piggyback again definitely piggyback what
she's saying.
Sorry to piggyback again, butyou know, in the MED program
specifically, I know we hadteachers who taught us in the
MED program who were teacherswhen I was in my first year of
medical school.
So definitely the crossover isthere and also, like you were
saying, it helps you inapplication or when you're
applying, because when I appliedto UNC as an MED alumni, as an
(05:08):
MAD alumni, my name was alreadyput into a different category as
soon as I applied.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Awesome.
So you all both made a greatpoint about summer programs and
the importance of doing those tonot only get to know what
you're interested in and makingsure that your interest is
something you already arefamiliar with and getting some
extra exposure, but then reallybuilding connections at the
university and really takingthat opportunity to network with
the individuals there.
What other things do you thinkare important for students
(05:36):
besides summer programs, asthey're thinking about pursuing
health professional school andmedical school?
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I would say keep yourself, like your applicant,
your application broad.
So whatever your interest is.
So I volunteered at CC Spaldinglike for three years and just
taught in the kindergarten class.
So whatever is your interest,they like to see that you have
an interest and that you'regoing to be committed to it.
Not, hey, I went andvolunteered five hours Yay, give
(06:03):
me a kudos.
They don't want to see thatthey going to be committed to it
.
Not, hey, I went andvolunteered five hours Yay, give
me a kudos.
They don't want to see that.
They want to see that you didsomething for a prolonged amount
of time.
And so even there's a buttloadof hospitals around here that
you can also volunteer andthere's a whole network of
physicians around that you canget shadowing experience.
I would definitely recommendany of that as things that you
(06:24):
can consider.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, I would definitely say, in terms of
experiences and gettingexperiences, quality over
quantity, like you're saying,you really want to be able to
speak about those experiencesand speak to how they
transformed you as a person,versus just having it on your
application, just something youdid.
As well as that, I would liketo say that what I would like
you to get, from me at least, isthat this is going to be a hard
experience.
It's difficult.
(06:47):
If it was easy, everybody woulddo it right.
So building your network ofpeople who you know you can lean
on and who are your supportsystem, now, early, is really
important to kind of supportingyourself in the future and
making sure that you're settingyourself up for success.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
And building those connections we had I think it
was Dr Hardy was over, like thehonors program and he would like
pay for he would give like onescholarship a year to take an
MCAT class.
And so building those networksand like reaching out, and it's
going to be expensive.
That's one thing people do nottell you.
It's going to be expensive.
(07:22):
From application you think MCATis going to be expensive.
Wait until you all see a boardexam.
It's going to be.
I know, I'm sorry, it's like$2,500.
But it is expensive.
And so go ahead and startbuilding those networks, looking
for scholarships.
(07:43):
You'd be surprised how manypeople want to give back and
help, especially minorities, andhelp and say, hey, you don't
have the funds to study for theMCAT, all right, let me buy your
books so you can get that.
So build those networks.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
I love that.
So, from networking to makingsure you're thinking about
summer programs, to making sureyou're thinking about shadowing
experiences, one thing I thinkstudents may need to also
consider is making sure you cantalk about the experiences very
eloquently.
You know, when I'm in the, I'mon the admissions interview
committee at UNC and one thingthat I notice some students are
(08:17):
really strong about knowing whatthey did, how they did it, why,
what impact it had, how itimpacted them.
Other students can kind of justmention something and then
don't have anything to back itup.
So, to your point, making sureyou've been committed to
something but then really knowhow to speak about it and what
you did in that experience isreally important too.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
And a class that they make you take care.
I can't remember the name of it, but professionalism it matters
.
Do not go in there and saypeople by their first name, call
them doctor.
If in there and say people bytheir first name, call them
doctor.
If you don't know if they're adoctor, call everybody doctor,
call them Mr or Mrs, but keepingthat respect is so important.
Like, do not treat it like it'sone of your friends and LOL.
Don't do that when you're inthe interview.
(08:55):
It's going to go a long way,good or bad, depending on how
you do.
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
So let's talk a little bit about what challenges
did you all experience, youknow, before med school, or
thinking about the transition tomed school Because, as you said
, it's hard.
At times it's expensive whenwe're paying for tests and
things.
So what challenges can youshare with the students that you
may have encountered prior tomed school or even along the
journey?
Speaker 3 (09:19):
at any point, so I tell this story and I won't say
who, the person, the person'sname, but at one point, when I
was applying for medical schoolthe second time because I didn't
get in my first time, becauseit happens Sometimes you fail
and sometimes you have to pickyourself back up right.
So the second time I wasapplying again and I wouldn't
have this meeting with thisperson who's supposed to be
(09:40):
reviewing my application, andthey looked me dead in the eye
and were like you should saveyour money, don't even worry
about applying, you're not goingto get in this year.
And that broke my heart.
I was like so sad, um, and itwas crazy because I walked right
across the hall to DrCostantini and I was probably
crying and Dr Costantini waslike who is he?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
what is he?
Speaker 3 (10:02):
and she like talked me out of it, snapped me out of
it, um, and that experience Imean.
Obviously it made me feel badat that moment, but and she took
, she snapped me out of it, butfor me it was like going forward
, I need to be that person formyself.
No, no, no, wait a minute.
Take this if it's, if it'svalid criticism, take that
criticism, but don't take itpersonal, um, and if you take
(10:22):
that personal, take it personalfor for half a second.
Get over it.
We gotta move on, we gotta keeppushing.
And you know what I did make itinto medical school.
So I could have let that reallydiscourage me and withdraw my
applications, but I didn't.
So you know, here we are today.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I would say mine would be more when I was in
residency.
So I kind of went straightthrough, started to actually
struggle in medical school.
I love kids and I actually fellthe peach shelf, learned I fell
like three shelves back to backto back, and then I learned
that I have dyslexia.
(10:59):
Um, and the reason I wasgetting so far is because I
could read fast, but I actuallywas actually struggling but I
was a fast reader, so that's howI compensated for so long, um
and so in medical school I meanin residency you have different
steps you have to take.
So I like had failed this steplike three times.
I was about to get kicked out.
(11:19):
I was like 45 seconds short onmy PT test and I had to meet
with the dean and he said well,you got a less than 5% chance of
passing everything in the lastmonth.
So pretty much you should packup your bags.
But you know praying familiesand I always believe in God
first.
Anything can happen pasteverything.
(11:39):
But I still I mean you're goingto struggle but don't
necessarily give up, okay, andyou'll have to figure out
different ways to kind ofconquer those things.
So I have to take more time tostudy.
I'd like to take a year tostudy for my boards now, and so
you'll figure out those things,but you're going to have
challenges, unfortunately.
I mean, maybe there is somebodyin medical school who never
(12:01):
failed a test, but there isprobably nobody in medical
school who has never failed atest.
Like you're going to have yourups and downs.
You just can't give up andcontinue to push yourself.
I love that.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Go ahead.
I was just going to say I liketo remind myself whenever I do
feel like you're not the onlyperson you're literally just
it's impossible for you to bethe first person, and only
person, to pass this.
No one's going to tell you inmedical school that they failed,
but surely someone in that roomfell with you.
So I mean, like I said, take amoment to feel bad about it, but
at the end of the day you gottathat's not useful to you, you
(12:31):
gotta move on, you gotta keeppushing, you gotta do what's
useful and that's keep moving.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Absolutely, and that's a common theme.
I think students don't realizethat it's not perfect.
No journey is perfect, and Ithink people we know the
importance of being a greatdoctor has nothing to do with
the tests that you take in theclasswork, that you do not from
the sake of being competent,proficient, but what it takes to
actually be a doctor and takecare of patients is not the
(12:58):
grade you get on a test, and sothat's something I just want to
keep say to you all as well,because there will be times
where you do great and there'llbe some times where you don't do
as good as you would like to,but that doesn't mean you have
to stop or feel like you areunable to accomplish your goals,
because we have amazing peoplesitting right here who are
accomplishing those goals,who've also had ups and downs,
like myself as well, and so Ithink it's important to know
(13:20):
that, as you move through yourjourneys, that it's okay to hit
bumps in the road and keep going.
So I want to talk a bit aboutwhen you were here at Central,
what were some of the highlightsfor you, and if you had to get
a student to come here to learnand be ready to go to med school
.
What would you say to thatfuture student as eagles I?
Speaker 2 (13:43):
don't know that I was ready for that question.
so I feel like my um, thefriends and and the mentors that
you'll meet at Central youwon't meet anywhere else.
So I still I'm faced withfriends of my professors, like I
(14:07):
still talk to my professors.
We have a group, we have an18-person Central group chat.
We still are connected.
All of us want to say thescience majors, but those bonds
that you build um in undergradyou will keep those um, I
haven't said my husband.
I met him well, we knew of eachother at central.
We just didn't date at centralum, but um, so those like
(14:32):
connections that you'll make um,I don't, I don't think you can
take away from that.
And the HBU experience is justlike no other.
So I know you can say that nowthat you've been to a different
school.
But going to a different schoollike I went to ECU for a
medical school it's going to bea totally different atmosphere
and so just having thatexperience at some point in your
(14:52):
life, I think is amazing Havingthis small classroom like this
and not 500 people in yourclassroom.
I think is amazing Having thislike small classroom like this
and not 500 people in yourclassroom, it just means a lot.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Hello everyone.
Are you enjoying the episode sofar this week?
Well, I'm excited to announcethat this week's episode is
sponsored by the B-Med app.
That's right, you heard it theBlack Med Connect app.
This app will be for any Blackor brown pre-medical students,
medical students, residents,fellows and attendings, even for
(15:21):
institutions.
We're in the process ofdeveloping our app and we wanted
to share it with you now, so ifyou're interested in receiving
updates on when the B-Med appwill be available to the world,
then head on over tobmanconnectcom slash app A-P-P
and join the waitlist.
(15:41):
Let's jump right back into theepisode.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
And that's one thing I would tell, like even my child
, and recommend them going toCentral.
I always recommend people go tothe HBCUs and keeping it alive.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Equally.
I think, yeah, like solidexperience here.
I really loved it here.
I would say for me my mostproud and best moment is when I
presented my thesis, my graduatethesis.
When I finished that I was sohappy man.
It was really rough.
Dr Constantini was yelling atme, sending me very angry emails
about my writing techniques,and it was just really nice to
(16:23):
have that all culminate in apresentation that went really,
really well and it was reallywell received and it felt really
good to reach that mountaintop,at least for a graduate's
degree.
And then she took us out afterfor drinks and food.
So that again speaks to thefact that you are building
relationships here that I thinkwill carry over.
If I have any problems or if Iever need anything, I know I can
(16:44):
count on her and reach out toher for that.
I love that Now.
I count on her and reach out toher for that.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
I love that.
Now, I'm not an eagle but I'm arattler.
So, fam you, I'm going to do mylittle rattler.
I know I'm in a room full ofeagles, but the community, right
, what you guys are speaking tois the community that you have
and the bonds that really arenever broken.
So cherish your moments whileyou're here and the connections
you're building, because youwill rely on and come back to
these individuals for years tocome.
(17:09):
So I want to ask you all aboutif you've ever experienced
imposter syndrome or thatfeeling of you know, not feeling
am I supposed to be here or doI deserve to be in this space,
and what was that like for youand how did you overcome?
Or for me, I know it stillhappens now how do you actively
continue to overcome thatfeeling of imposter syndrome?
Speaker 3 (17:34):
For me.
I know I was saying thisearlier, but like I'm really
blessed, in my class at UNC wedo have like a large, large
population of black women in ourclass.
There's like 20, so I canalways I know I can reach out to
them if I ever feel that way,because they're gonna slap me
and say, no, we're all meant tobe here.
But really I liked, like I said, building and using your
support systems is reallyimportant and for me, my biggest
(17:56):
supporter has always been mydad.
So if I call my dad, I knowhe's going to give me a pep
squad cheerleader routine forthe ages and tell me how great I
am.
So for me, if I ever feel likethat, I like to call him.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
I agree with you.
I don't think you can everreally get rid of that kind of
syndrome.
I would say I get it more nowthan I did at Central at ECU.
It just kind of depends on theatmosphere of that school or
where you're at.
Y'all can quote these factslater because I don't know 100%.
(18:30):
But the African-Americanpopulation in medicine hasn't
really changed.
It hangs between 5% and 8%.
So you're not going to see 80people in your class, it's just
the numbers just aren't there.
And then women in medicine islike 1% or 2%.
And so once you get out Ishouldn't say real world, but
(18:50):
once you start getting into yourown career and your own paths,
you're not going to seenecessarily as many
african-american physicians oras many um women, um, in your
fields.
Especially when you start goinginto leadership, um, it gets
similar and slimmer.
It's more of a, a guy's field.
You know women are having kidsand and it's just just the way
(19:11):
medicine just hasn't changed,which is why things like this
make good networking experiencesfor you to be the one to
conquer that.
So I don't necessarily thinkI've actually conquered it.
I think you're going to face it, no matter where you are.
You just got to have thatresiliency to get through it
until the next opportunity comes.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Just to piggyback on that, Ithink, as you go from med school
, where you may have 20, I knowwe had 25 in my class at Duke,
but that was rare.
The next class only had sixpeople, so each year may be
different.
When I was a resident, I wasthe only black woman in my
residency class, even though Iwas in Atlanta, georgia.
So you will come across timeswhere you may be the only one
(19:55):
and you.
That's why it's reallyimportant to like, savor where
you are and enjoy what you'redoing right now, because, as you
go along to your point, we onlyrepresent about 5% of all
physicians, and then, when youbreak that out by specialties,
some specialties are less than5% for African Americans, and so
you will be a trailblazer inwhatever area you pursue.
And so, with that, I would loveto hear about what a day in the
(20:18):
life looks like for you nowwith your experiences.
Well, let's just say a day inthe last few months, okay?
Speaker 3 (20:27):
So I've been a dedicated person.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
I thought you could go for the last two years okay
okay.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
So let's see.
It really just depends on wherelife is.
Um, but I would say um rightnow.
Usually I'll just pretend I'mon round, so I still do like
full scope.
Where I round at the hospital,I'll see newborn babies.
I'll just pretend I'm on round,so I still do like full scope.
Where I round at the hospitalI'll see newborn babies, I'll
see pediatric patients and thenI'll go to the clinic afterwards
(20:56):
and I'll probably be at thehospital for two or three hours.
Then I'll go to the clinic,have patients in the morning,
get a little lunch and then I'llhave a full afternoon and then
I'll go back to the hospital andround on whoever was born
afterwards.
I am in like rural pediatricsand so there's not many
full-scope pediatrics.
(21:17):
Everybody's kind of shiftinginto like you either do hospital
, you do clinic, but notnecessarily all of it anymore.
It's funny that you say thatbecause in the next year I plan
to transition to just hospitalwork because I'm tired of doing
both.
So but that's kind of how myday usually is.
But I also do a lot of teaching.
(21:38):
I teach like NRP, I work withthe residents.
I actually have to prepare alecture for them for Thursday.
It really just depends on theday with me, so I also do a
little locums too.
So, like this weekend I went, Iwent to like another hospital
and covered for them.
They're not necessarily in thecountry, but usually it's a lot
(21:58):
of small hospitals that needcoverage, whether people are out
sick or they just don't have adoctor right now, and so it
really just depends on my day,but I actually kind of do a
little bit of everythingthroughout the day.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
It's a pretty busy day, okay.
So for me, as a medical student, our first two years at UNC are
like book work, more didacticlearning stuff.
So for me, 8 to 12 every dayI'm a class goer.
We don't have mandatory class.
I know it changed for the newcurriculum, but forer we don't
have mandatory class.
I know it changed for the newcurriculum, but for us we didn't
have mandatory class.
(22:33):
So 8 to 12, I would go though,and then I would take a small
break.
And let's say it's a Wednesday.
So I have PCC, which is ourpatient-centered care course,
where we would talk aboutclinical care, and we would do
that from 2 to 5 and then gohome and probably study for a
(22:54):
couple hours, get ready for thenext day.
We were saying that myschedule's changed because I've
been studying for one of our bigexams for the past like two
months, and so now my schedule'sjust been like wake up at 8 am
and study till 5.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
So but one thing I want to add in there is don't
forget to cherish the thingsthat are important to you.
So throughout, like medicalschool, throughout, even
undergrad for me, throughresidency, going to church was
important to me, so I always fitthat in and had that in my
schedule.
I'm also an OCD person.
(23:28):
Don't ask my husband how manyschedules I make and it's a
little bit crazy.
But whatever is important toyou, make sure you have time for
that.
Whether it's family, childrenvisiting family, make sure you
set down that time for thoseimportant things.
Whether it's reading 30 minutesor watching your favorite TV
show, whatever it is thatmatters to you, because that's
(23:49):
going to keep you sane and so,whatever it is, don't forget to
add that into your schedule.
Exercise forgot about that, butyou know, don't forget to add
all that stuff in there.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
I love that, especially because as you go
there will be times where youcan't do as much of what you
love, and then there will beother times where you can fit it
in more.
But the whole time you got totry to find at least a little
window to spend time with familyfriends to, for me, prayer,
like you said, faith.
Going to church was big for metoo.
Um, and then from a studyingperspective I know you mentioned
(24:21):
, you know you said eight tofive.
You said it kind of quietly,yeah sorry, but when you're
studying- for your step exams.
It takes that much.
And to your point of going toclass.
Some people will be okay withvirtual and med school, but for
me, I was a class goer too, so Ifelt like going to have the
material I would listen to, thelectures that were, you know,
given to us, but then go toclass because it helped.
(24:43):
So ultimately I say I'd have tosay find what works for you all
with studying, because it willbe a step up from what you're
doing now to medical school.
The amount of studying you haveto do really does change.
So building on those studyhabits early is important for
sure like you might have a wholesemester here.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
You're gonna get that in like two weeks, yeah, that's
two or three weeks, um, it'sgonna be like one, two, one test
, um, and so you gotta, andyou're gonna have four or five
of those classes like that, andso, whatever study habits are
good or bad, as you're trying tofigure out what works for you,
start working on them, buildingthose.
And it's not going to be I'mgoing to start studying at 8 pm
(25:23):
the night before the test,because you might as well cancel
it.
It ain't going to work.
Just don't go, don't do thatAbsolutely so.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
I have one.
If you had to leave theseindividual students with one
parting word of wisdom beforethey ask some questions, what
would you leave them with?
And then I have one last bolusround question.
I'll explain in a minute too.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
I guess I would say pray, be consistent, enjoy what
you do and just continue to pushyourself, continue to strive
high.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
I would say that there is value in your
perspective and always know thatyou have value in your
perspective.
So, going forward, always beconfident and stay true to
yourself.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
We hope you enjoyed this week's episode of the B-Med
Amplified Tour.
This is part one.
At North Carolina CentralUniversity, Students had amazing
questions and we'd like tothank Dr Sierra Roach-Gerald and
future Dr Jayla Calhoun.
Until next time, alwaysremember to dream without limits
.
Be sure to like, comment andsubscribe to Black Med Connect.
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