Instagram user,
Waletejumade who just qualified as a doctor in America shared this inspiring
story of her perseverance in the face of discouragement, despite her course advisor, a woman whom she looked up to told her she wasn’t
going to make it.
Here’s the story;
“My First ‘No’: I’ve been waiting 14 years to share this story. Please
take the time to read
take the time to read
At 31 years of age, today marks the completion of:
1. Four years of a medical magnet
school
2. Four years as a Neuroscience Major
(B.S.)
3. Four years of Medical School (M.D.)
4. Five years of Orthopedic Surgery
Residency
5. One year of Fellowship in Hand and
Upper Extremity Surgery
1. Four years of a medical magnet
school
2. Four years as a Neuroscience Major
(B.S.)
3. Four years of Medical School (M.D.)
4. Five years of Orthopedic Surgery
Residency
5. One year of Fellowship in Hand and
Upper Extremity Surgery
That is 18 years of training, 14 years post high school. The closer you
get to accomplishing your dreams, the easier it is for people to discourage you
and marginalize your goals
get to accomplishing your dreams, the easier it is for people to discourage you
and marginalize your goals
Along this path I entered college at the University of Miami, the best
school in Florida. I was accepted to the Neuroscience program. The real journey
was about to begin. Like I said earlier, as a little Black child it’s only
perceived as a dream, not as a journey that will actually manifest.
school in Florida. I was accepted to the Neuroscience program. The real journey
was about to begin. Like I said earlier, as a little Black child it’s only
perceived as a dream, not as a journey that will actually manifest.
My first ‘No’ came my freshman year of college. I completed my first
semester and had to meet with my freshman advisor. I met with Dr. Victoria
Noriega, a beautiful intelligent woman that I looked up to. I reviewed my
grades with her. I had a B in biology, the rest were A’s. I’ll never forget
when she told me I would not get into medical school. My grades were not high
enough. She then proceeded to say, minorities do better in health related
psychology fields. She was the first person to tell me, I couldn’t make it to
M.D., but she wouldn’t be the last
semester and had to meet with my freshman advisor. I met with Dr. Victoria
Noriega, a beautiful intelligent woman that I looked up to. I reviewed my
grades with her. I had a B in biology, the rest were A’s. I’ll never forget
when she told me I would not get into medical school. My grades were not high
enough. She then proceeded to say, minorities do better in health related
psychology fields. She was the first person to tell me, I couldn’t make it to
M.D., but she wouldn’t be the last
I’ve heard many No’s. I would not get into medical school. I was told,
‘I fit better as a Family Practice physician’, because I don’t have the
demeanor of a physician. I was told, during the time I was applying to
residency that ‘I would never get into an orthopedic residency…
‘I fit better as a Family Practice physician’, because I don’t have the
demeanor of a physician. I was told, during the time I was applying to
residency that ‘I would never get into an orthopedic residency…
You see, there are many No’s along my journey. I can honestly say not
once did any “No” deter me. It literally went in one ear, out the other and in
the garbage can. It never stopped my grind and that is why 14 years after that
incident I’m graduating.
once did any “No” deter me. It literally went in one ear, out the other and in
the garbage can. It never stopped my grind and that is why 14 years after that
incident I’m graduating.
Today I have at least a dozen minorities I am mentoring to also become
an orthopedic surgeon. How sad would it be if I heeded that first No. Imagine
if instead of no, I heard ‘how can I help you get there?’”
an orthopedic surgeon. How sad would it be if I heeded that first No. Imagine
if instead of no, I heard ‘how can I help you get there?’”