Morehouse School of Medicine recently hosted the State of Georgia’s Personalized Medical Awareness Day. Distinguished individuals from the medical community comprised the panel of expert speakers. Along with keynote speaker Dr. Leroy Hood, founder of the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle, featured guests included former Surgeon General, David Satcher, MD, Ph.D, Associate Dean and Director of the Clinical Research Center at Morehouse School of Medicine, Elizabeth Ofili, M.D., MPH, and a host of other world renown members of the medical community. The symposium was moderated by the Dean and Executive Vice President of Morehouse School of Medicine, Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D. Also attending were Georgia’s Gov. Nathan Deal and former U.N. Ambassador, Andrew Young.
While at the auspicious forum, rolling out caught up with fourth year Morehouse School of Medicine medical student Ashaki Warren. Read about her journey as she pursues her dream. –al weems
What compelled you to pursue a medical degree? I started off as an engineering major and I transitioned into medicine, because of my passion for psychiatry. I pursued an M.D. so I could have a full range of tools to treat patients who suffer from mental health illnesses.
Was an M.D. a requirement for you to work in the capacity that you desire? I read an article in Time magazine that said there was an alarming rise in childhood and adolescent depression. The article stated that there were not enough people getting the clinical training and pursuing an M.D. to help this segment of society.
How did you balance the rigorous course load involved in pursuing an M.D. with family life and home responsibilities? I’m married and I have two young children, a 2 ½ year old and a 5 year old. The truth is there is no balance, I do the best I can everyday. I give 100 percent to my family when I’m with them — [when] I’m with them and I give them my all. When I’m in school, it gets my undivided attention, because I’m not going to fail. Failing is not an option for me. I’m going to do what I have to do to attain my M.D., because long-term I’ll be in a position to offer a better quality of life to my children and my husband if I finish.
