Approximate length of time in your position
Less than 5 years
Why do you think engaging in the AAMC Virtual Community is important?
AAAMC charge has a common goal to promote thriving communities in health, employment, education and housing. We work as a team to develop practices and procedure in these areas that will allow fair sharing of resources and services to access for all Americans.
Do you have professional skills or area of expertise that might be of particular interest to your peers in this community?
I educate and advocate for citizens needing to gain stability to thrive in health and life.
Major topics of interest: justice involved youth, women, mentally ill populations.
- Justice involved youth experience high percentage of serious mental illness because of ACE events and are furthered traumatized by the juvenile justice system; they are seeming as “gang members” who are a safety threat to the public and anyone that encounter them. Correctional guards, bully, intimidate, shame and humiliate these youth who experience depression, anxiety, lose touch with reality, emotionally damaged. Justice involved youth mind, body and spirit become separated after being involved in the juvenile justice system.
- Maternal mortality is a reality in America, it is most evident in the state of Georgia ranking 7th highest state that experience maternal mortality. Morehouse school of medicine project Impact actively addresses the disparity of women of color who may not receive needed prenatal care because of lack of insurance, location or transportation challenges. Patient navigators, doulas, and midwives provide guidance, education, and healthcare for pregnant women to give birth to healthy full-term babies.
- Decades ago, persons experiencing mental illness were removed from institutions. Mentally people who do not receive regular counseling and/or medication to have emotional well-being may end up in America’s prisons. I feel that this unique population can receive better emotional support with a trained counselor who support the family and friends to help the person experiencing mental illness, live a full, happy life in their respective communities.
Are you the 'go-to' person at your institution for advice or expertise in a specific area?
I was awarded ambassador for online learning in my discipline of administration in justice involved care, Morehouse School of Medicine commencement held December 2024.
For the past 1.5 years I learned about the vulnerable populations that enter the criminal justice system and the challenges they experience when they return to their communities needing to live as productive members.
What should people in the virtual community contact you about?
- I advocate for restorative justice to heal people involved in the justice system and for laws that improve outcomes for ex-offenders once they come home.
- Parents connecting with their children who are in foster care
- Career readiness services to help ex-offenders get a job
- Employers who will hire returning citizens who have talent and skills that meet the goals of their organization
- I advocate for banning the box to help the justice involved who are at a low risk to return to prison, receive fair wages
- I advocate for laws like the first step act that uphold fair sentencing criminals with minor offenses and other provisions to reduce mass incarceration and recidivism.
What was the best book you most recently read (or TV show/movie) that you watched?
When I find time, I re-read chapters of *Authentic Leadership* by Dr. Angelita Howard.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you have ever received? Why?
When you have a big project to complete, be intentional to block out time; and end all tasks by 8 pm. Humans need time to rest; continue the following day; this prevents burnout. Advice from Dr. Angelita Howard and Professor Latoyna Hill, my leadership mentors!
What do you think is the best, most challenging, or most unique thing about working in academic medicine (or your field or specialty specifically)?
I am enjoying contributing my ideas for change to improve the needs of underserved communities.
What do you hope to gain from this online community?
I hope to meet people who have similar goals and purpose
Did you have an unusual path to your current career? Tell us about it.
Getting accustomed to working independently, doing life as any adult in life, family, bills, errands.
Thinking about all conferences, workshops, webinars you have attended in the last few years, was there a speaker or session topic that stands out as your favorite? Who? Why?
Dr. Rice at MSM Commencement 2024; serve by being kind and humble, Mrs. Taylor collaborating in projects, knowing team goals & roles, Dr. Chad Key Critical Choice theory what are the costs and benefits of the decisions you make in life. Dr. Josh Simon – a human, kind professor, rare!
Thank you, Mr. Eric Thompson, and Di’ Mera Melvin and the entire staff of Morehouse School of Medicine.
How do you prefer to start your day?
Checking out Alex, the young adult; then spending time with Khaleesi, two-year-old female Cruzan mixed breed!
How do you prefer to end your day?
Reviewing the day.
You’re throwing a dinner party and can invite 3 people (alive or dead). Who do you invite?
Alex, my Godmother and my best friend.
How did you maintain your wellness and resilience during the pandemic? Any tips to share with others?
Self-care activities.
You live/work in [city]. What’s your favorite restaurant there? Is there something special we should check out next time we visit?
Cibone in Frederiksted has great local food.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A musician.
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
I realize we all have challenges to overcome in this life, some more than others. Thankful for my parents.
If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?
YouTube, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn.
What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Wilks.
Do you have pets?
Khaleesi, 2 year-old female Cruzan mixed breed, 33 lbs, lively and friendly.
What drew you to work in medical education curriculum? What aspect of your curriculum work do you enjoy the most, and why?
I am not a medical professor; I share knowledge on medical problems the prison populations experience.
Is there a mentor or person you particularly looked up to, who has inspired and shaped your career? How so?
Dr. Verleen McSween-Missole introduces her classes with the concept of growth mindset over fixed mindset when we fail or have setbacks in life.
Thinking about our collective scholarly knowledge of medical education curriculum, what research question do you wish the field could address? What research area in curriculum do you think deserves more attention than it's currently receiving?
Navigating and addressing ACE events for low-income minors before they become adults.
What curriculum projects are you currently working on, and what curriculum projects are currently happening at your school?
In the AAMC charge community, I share topics that help to improve access to equitable services in healthcare, education, employment etc. for underserved populations.
What aspect, approach, or topic in your school’s curriculum are you most proud of or excited about, and why?
MSM produces learners who are critical thinkers and resourceful problem solvers.
How has your role in curriculum evolved, given COVID-19?
I became an online learner.
Looking ahead, what are you most hopeful about, or most looking forward to in the next year?
Looking for new opportunities to learn and increase my work as a public health servant.
What’s one thing you learned in the past month?
The Department of Human Services in most states and territories encourages moms to be proactive; be career-ready after six months after giving birth, your valuable skills are needed in the workplace.
What’s the oddest job you ever had?
Shoe salesperson.
Three words to best describe you:
Friendly, curious, and engaging.
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