How did her support help you feel more at ease at Xavier?
I grew up in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and I was always one of the only ones. I was told I was an exception. Coming to an HBCU and seeing with your own eyes, even though you already know it, that you’re not an exception, that is phenomenal. [There is] power in our Black community. It was so comfortable to be in a class and not feel like you have to think about your race. I think, especially coming from an educational background being one of the only ones — to being one of everyone. I just can’t even tell you how much confidence that gives you and how much comfort [it gives]. For me, it was a phenomenal experience. I highly recommend everyone go to an HBCU because you just cannot get that experience anywhere else.
What has the journey of COVID with other Black doctors been like for you?
We know as Black doctors we do have a responsibility to make sure that we’re advocating for our community. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed a family in the hallway, and [they’ll] say, “Are you a doctor here? How can I get in with you?” Because they look like me, and they want their kids to see a doctor who looks like me.
