Dreams give purpose to life. They provide goals to pursue, ideals to aspire to, and visions to realize. A person without a dream has no focus, no cause to die for and is easily swept by the wind. Peace of mind attained through self satisfaction that you made the most effort to do the best that you could do. Trying to improve the situation that exists for you. Everyone faces challenges in their lives. The goal is to stay focused, never compromise on your dreams, and overcome the obstacles that you face. My journey into the white coat is not unique neither is it the norm, but I’m sure it will provide a little hope that anyone can make it.
I came into this world weighing around 7 pounds and 7 ounces in the city of Nairobi, Kenya. Home was a structure whose roof and walls were built out of corrugated, iron sheets. A partition divided the room into two, one side served as sleeping quarters, and the other was just big enough for everything else. There was no indoor plumbing at home so we used to get water at a communal faucet, boil it for our daily cares, and made do with an outhouse. This humble beginning was the fertile soil for my dream to become a doctor. Little did I know than an opportunity to realize this aspiration would present itself in the United States of America.
I was 13 years old when I arrived in Chicago from Nairobi, Kenya. It was cold, very cold. My first day of school dealt a serious blow to my ego. I could not open my locker, I did not know how to read a class schedule and when I tried to get help, no one could comprehend the words coming out of my mouth. However, I quickly developed a love for both mathematics and science as they were written in a familiar language, numbers. I immersed myself in the culture, developed an American accent, grew to love my new home, and even enjoyed pizza. Many people wish and hope for a chance to come to USA, but few people get the opportunity.
It was a tough transition but my parents provided comfort and protection. I’ve been blessed with caring parents who have sacrificed tremendously to support my higher education. I have seen them go through periods that tested their pride and self esteem. Both my mother and father gave up successful professional careers in Kenya to work in a dry cleaner and as a ‘sanitation engineer,’ respectively. My parents nourished my dream and through their wisdom and upbringing, I came to embrace the ability, talent, and gifts reflected in me. These innate characteristics would be the tools that would directly shape my future.
While I received scholarship offers from top colleges, my parents sat me down and informed me that I could not attend these schools because we had overstayed our visas. I was devastated. They told me that to stay in the USA, I would need to live out a new kind of reality. It meant living with the fear of being exposed, avoiding encounters with law enforcement, and rarely trusting people, even those closest to me. I was determined to never give anyone a reason to doubt I was American. I thought that if I worked hard, achieved enough, I would be deemed a worthy member of society and could earn citizenship. With the help of a network of family and friends, I was able to enroll in community college, then transferred to the University of Minnesota where I was determined to succeed.
Like Michelangelo with a chisel and Picasso with a paint brush, I was determined to sculpt a future and paint it bright. During a career fair at the UMN, I met a young physician who elaborated on her journey to medicine. She told me that physicians face the ultimate responsibility in life which is that of life itself. She went on to add that this monumental task required sound judgment and wisdom gained through a strong academic background and a standard of excellence gained solely through practical learning. I enrolled in rigorous courses that would challenge my creativity, adaptability, and commitment while preparing me for the task ahead. Curiosity also led me to discover a new interest in the laboratory where I conducted research on yeast and synthesized polymers for affinity chromatography applications. I not only honed my research techniques but also confirmed that patience is a virtue.
I later joined a local chapter of the Student National Medical Association where I was part of the mentor program. I was paired with an actual medical student who proved to be a vital source for support and encouragement. He pointed me toward the right resources that allowed me to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test and shadow physicians in order to gain exposure to the medical field. This relationship gave me a role model to emulate and whose footsteps I was convinced to follow.
My first day in the Mayo Medical School was surreal. I couldn’t believe that I was fortunate enough to secure a spot in a medical school. One of my fondest memories I have was in the operating room. The tension was nerve-racking. I could feel my heart racing and all the muscles in my body clench. The commotion in the room was drowned out by the sound of my beating heart, lub-dub, lub-dub. I tried to swallow but my mouth was too dry. I stretched my hand ever so slightly and with my eyes focused, I took a deep breath and touched it. “It feels so warm!” I exclaimed. It was my first time exploring the human abdominal cavity and I still recall the chilly sensation that traversed my spine. As the surgeon quizzed me on anatomy, I caressed the organs and realized I had been entrusted with a human being’s life. I was overwhelmed by the privilege and responsibility in my hands and I knew, then, that I meant to be a doctor.
My desire to be of service to the community led me to pursue a career in medicine. After I graduated from medical school I teamed up to my best friend to co-found the Zandu Health Initiative, a not-for-profit organization aimed at eliminating health disparities among low income communities through provision of culturally informed healthcare training. We started by teaching at local community colleges, and later opened up our own school educating certified nursing assistants, direct care assistants, and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training. We also partner with local churches to mentor youth aspiring to pursue health professions. The health fairs conducted provide medical and dental screenings, preventive education, blood drive, health care exchange sign-up, and much more in response to the high index of uninsured immigrants in our community. Meeting the health needs of diverse populations continues to give me great insight into the complex intersection of medicine, policy, and finances.
How do you spell success? Is it B… M… W…? The world seems to define success as the accumulation of stuff, material things, status, prestige, or positions of power. I would like us to change that paradigm. I want to have something that my son could aspire to, something more than higher higher grades, latest Jordans, or simply more points in his basketball games. Success is not about becoming better than someone else, but its through learning from each other, and being the best that you can be. A legacy built on character. Reputation is what you are perceived to be, but character is who you really are.
As a resident physician, meeting the health needs of diverse populations continues to give me great insight into the complex intersection of medicine, policy, and finances. My goal is to facilitate the exchange of skills and training by providing a comprehensive approach to prevent and address the health and health care problems that are inextricably linked with economic and social factors such as jobs, education, housing, safety, poverty, immigration, exploitation and discrimination.
As an immigrant I have lived in or near poverty and I can honestly say that my faith kept me going when my dreams seemed bleak. I know that I have transformed from what I used to be. I know a little bit more, lost some hair, and added a couple of wrinkles. What are you going to do to change your life. How do you plan on making the most of the next few months? What are you going to do in the new year that will help you get on track towards achieving your dream? I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11. Make sure you keep this verse in mind and all you will do is win, win, win…
