I chose to attend McGill because of its reputation as a world-renowned research institution. I considered the environment that would support my development as a physician and a researcher. Ultimately, I was drawn to the MDCM & PhD program at McGill because of the sense of support that I got from the faculty and students I interacted with during my interviews.
I feel privileged to have access to higher education at an institution like McGill, where so many people are dedicated to improving our community. I’ve met exceptional students who inspire me to take on leadership roles and participate in initiatives where I can make a difference.
As a medical student, I’ve seen first-hand that the diversity of the Canadian and Montreal populations aren’t reflected in my medical school class. The vibrancy that the voices of Black students, Indigenous students, students with disabilities, students from rural areas of Quebec, and students from low-income backgrounds contribute is lacking. I want to use my privileged access and experiences to help demystify the medical and doctoral education pathway for others, especially those from underrepresented groups.
I co-founded Supporting Young Black Students (SYBS), an initiative supported by McGill’s Community Health and Social Medicine Incubator (CHASM), to give local Black high school, CEGEP and university students a glimpse into what different careers in health profession fields look like. To achieve that goal, SYBS partners with other community groups to organize hands-on workshops, discussion panels with healthcare professionals and mentorship and shadowing opportunities that help students start to imagine a future for themselves in healthcare-related careers.