Medical professionals are to black women as police are to black men. Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, at the hands of clinicians. Institutionalized racism is causing maternal mortality at an alarming rate. My name is Aminah Johnson, I am a future world-class neonatal physician assisstant. I come from a family of medical professionals, my great-grandmother, grandmother, and my mom are all nurses, I will be the first doctor in my family. Black girl, white coat, that has a nice ring to it, and someday that will be my reality. When I am a certified PA, I plan to start a blog centered around my journey and inspiring other black girls that also dream of one day rocking a white coat. Going to school to receive adequate certification will aid me in not only saving lives but, protecting lives. Only about six percent of physicians and surgeons are black, which, unfortunately, affects patients. Many white doctors and sometimes other people of color have trouble relating to black patients. Patients are more likely to feel comfortable with and trust medical professionals that look like them, which is why someone who looks like me would provide great patient care. Quality patient care for black women is hard to come across. Within the health community, there is a common misconception that black people can tolerate more pain because they have darker, thicker skin, and shorter nerve endings. There are black people being oppressed for their biology; the healthcare system is failing black patients, especially black women. The idea that black women are stronger and are physically equipped to handle more pain than other women, is quite harmful because it leads to the negligence of black women when giving birth. Race does not make one immune to pain. How can healthcare be equitable if all pain is not taken seriously? I feel an obligation to protect the women of my community, black women are the least considered group of people when it comes to healthcare, legislation, education, and more. Black women dying during childbirth is a health epidemic that is quite disturbing. I will take the initiative and make sure there will be diversity and inclusion training for caregivers. Black women are strong, but they are not invincible, care should not be revoked due to skin color. Patients need to feel safe reporting their symptoms, therefore, a trusting patient-provider relationship is important. Unfortunately, I cannot save every black woman, but I will extend sympathy and ensure safety for as many as possible. Medical malpractice should not and will not be tolerated. I will advocate for all women, but black women need the most protection. Black women will not be ignored, black women will not be denied treatment, black women will not be treated like they do not matter. Keeping black women alive as well as bringing their children into this world will be taken more seriously. I will be the black girl in a white coat that advocates for black women and birth justice.

I am a huge fan of the medical drama series: Grey's Anatomy. I have had a crush on Derrick (McDreamy) Shepherd who is a fictional character that plays the role of a world-class neurosurgeon. Due to my overarching crush and wanting so desperately to have something in common with the love of my life; I began doing research on the terms and procedures mentioned in the show. As I began doing personal research to get a better understanding of what my television husband was speaking of, my heart revealed that the true love of my life is neurology. I will be studying neuroscience in college because neuroscience combines biology and psychology which makes it such a universal area of study. It tends to be contemplated and tried and revised—a consistently extending, always improving existential philosophy. The investigation of the mind and how the various structures inside it work and connect via neural organizations is the art of neuroscience. It helps us understand what makes us remarkably human and able to use the complexity of emotion to alter our consciousness to focus on certain stimuli that determine our behavior. Certain psychological sicknesses can be treated and maybe even cured once neuroscientists dissect the mechanism behind the dysfunctions and propose effective treatments. Additionally, neuroscience can clarify the systems behind what we feel and experience using our brains. I find this monstrously valuable for what's to come. Growing up, I wished I had superpowers, particularly the ability to read minds. Neurology gets me pretty close to mind-reading. Not everyone knows what goes on in their frontal lobe or cerebellum. Getting to have an intimate relationship with the human brain by simply studying and understanding its functions is why I will be studying neuroscience in college.

Medical professionals are to black women as police are to black men. Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, at the hands of clinicians. Institutionalized racism is causing maternal mortality at an alarming rate. My name is Aminah Johnson, I am a future world-class pediatric surgeon. I come from a family of medical professionals, my great-grandmother, grandmother, and my mom are all nurses, I will be the first doctor in my family. Black girl, white coat, that has a nice ring to it, and someday that will be my reality. When I am certified in practicing internal medicine, I plan to start a blog centered around my journey and inspiring other black girls that also dream of one day rocking a white coat. Going to school to receive a doctorate degree will aid me in not only saving lives but, protecting lives. Only about six percent of physicians and surgeons are black, which, unfortunately, affects patients. Many white doctors and sometimes other people of color have trouble relating to black patients. Patients are more likely to feel comfortable with and trust medical professionals that look like them, which is why someone who looks like me would provide great patient care. Patient care for black women is hard to come across. Within the health community, there is a common misconception that black people can tolerate more pain because they have darker, thicker skin, and shorter nerve endings. There are black people being oppressed for their biology. The healthcare system is failing black patients, especially black women. The idea that black women are stronger and are physically equipped to handle more pain than other women, is quite harmful because it leads to the negligence of black women when giving birth. Race does not make one immune to pain. How can healthcare be equitable if all pain is not taken seriously? I feel an obligation to protect the women of my community, black women are the least considered group people when it comes to healthcare, legislation, education, and more. Black women dying during childbirth is a health epidemic which is quite disturbing. I will take the initiative and make sure there will be diversity and inclusion training for caregivers. Black women are strong, but they are not invincible, care should not be revoked due to skin color. Patients need to feel safe reporting their symptoms, therefore, a trusting patient-provider relationship is important. Unfortunately, I cannot save every black woman, but I will extend sympathy and ensure safety for as many as possible. Medical malpractice should not and will not be tolerated. I will advocate for all women, but black women need the most protection. Black women will not be ignored, black women will not be denied treatment, black women will not be treated like they do not matter. Keeping black women alive as well as bringing their children into this world will be taken more seriously. I will be the black girl in a white coat that advocates for black women and birth justice.

I began my career at six years old. My first patient’s name was Cavity Sam. This young man came to me with many different foreign objects in some of his body cavities. I deliberated on a treatment plan in which I had to successfully extract the funny bone, wishbone, and Adam’s apple from Cavity Sam. This would be a very invasive procedure, being that there was a wishbone lodged into his thoracic cavity, an Adam’s apple annexed into his larynx, and a funny bone imposing his humorous. I had to successfully remove each alignment with my tweezers very carefully because the game’s anxiety-inducing buzzer would sound if the surgical tweezers lost their precision and touched the metal edges of Sam's openings. The game of Operation was one of my favorite board games growing up, but it was more than a game to me; I was in my own operation room providing care to a critical patient. This was my epiphany moment, the moment when my six-year-old self knew that I wanted to make people feel better for a living. Aside from me being a world-class child prodigy surgeon, my passion for medicine was amplified due to my mom’s career. You see, when I was six, my mom was in nursing school, and I was drawn to her passion just like she was. I was amazed to see her medical instruments like her stethoscope and sphygmomanometer, and I was enchanted by seeing her in her scrubs, it was like seeing a superhero putting on their cape. I wanted to be a scrub wearing superhero just like her. As I grew older my idea of being a medical superhero gained a more realistic perspective. Through high school, I learned that my science classes primarily related to medicine. From general biology to advanced behavioral neuroscience, the study of the biological systems, and my favorite: the human body, has been a delightful learning experience with new discoveries in every lesson. Although I have been unable to satisfy my clinical interests through volunteer work, I have found a fascinating blog and podcast entitled “Peds Soup: A Pediatrics Podcast”, where I have been educating myself on pediatric health. Subsequently speaking, based on my successful surgery with Cavity Sam and my apparent interest in pediatric care, I have made the executive decision to focus my career path on pediatric internal medicine. Although Cavity Sam was my very first patient, it is time to start working towards caring for other potential patients. As a prospective doctor, I do know that college will best prepare me for my future career. Medicine covers several fields that I am guaranteed to find fascinating. Becoming a physician is the one occupation that will give me the chance to remedy others while thinking objectively and appreciating human biology. I feel fortunate to have found a potential profession that will allow me to fulfill my aspirations: to learn about the human body, as well as assist and educate individuals to take better care of their health. I am passionate about people, and medicine will allow me to engage in a palpable, physical way in my future patient’s lives that are consistent with my interest in biology and problem-solving skills. Though I have been creatively and intellectually inspired by life sciences, I know I would find using my experience and expertise to provide practical service to others more favorable.

I began my career at six years old. My first patient’s name was Cavity Sam. This young man came to me with many different foreign objects in some of his body cavities. I deliberated on a treatment plan in which I had to successfully extract the funny bone, wishbone, and Adam’s apple from Cavity Sam. This would be a very invasive procedure, being that there was a wishbone lodged into his thoracic cavity, an Adam’s apple annexed into his larynx, and a funny bone imposing his humorous. I had to successfully remove each alignment with my tweezers very carefully because the game’s anxiety-inducing buzzer would sound if the surgical tweezers lost their precision and touched the metal edges of Sam's openings. The game of Operation was one of my favorite board games growing up, but it was more than a game to me; I was in my own operation room providing care to a critical patient. This was my epiphany moment, the moment when my six-year-old self knew that I wanted to make people feel better for a living. Aside from me being a world-class child prodigy surgeon, my passion for medicine was amplified due to my mom’s career. You see, when I was six, my mom was in nursing school, and I was drawn to her passion just like she was. I was amazed to see her medical instruments like her stethoscope and sphygmomanometer, and I was enchanted by seeing her in her scrubs, it was like seeing a superhero putting on their cape. I wanted to be a scrub wearing superhero just like her. As I grew older my idea of being a medical superhero gained a more realistic perspective. Through high school, I learned that my science classes primarily related to medicine. From general biology to advanced behavioral neuroscience, the study of the biological systems, and my favorite: the human body, has been a delightful learning experience with new discoveries in every lesson. Although I have been unable to satisfy my clinical interests through volunteer work, I have found a fascinating blog and podcast entitled “Peds Soup: A Pediatrics Podcast”, where I have been educating myself on pediatric health. Subsequently speaking, based on my successful surgery with Cavity Sam and my apparent interest in pediatric care, I have made the executive decision to focus my career path on pediatric internal medicine. Although Cavity Sam was my very first patient, it is time to start working towards caring for other potential patients. As a prospective doctor, I do know that college will best prepare me for my future career. Medicine covers several fields that I am guaranteed to find fascinating. Becoming a physician is the one occupation that will give me the chance to remedy others while thinking objectively and appreciating human biology. I feel fortunate to have found a potential profession that will allow me to fulfill my aspirations: to learn about the human body, as well as assist and educate individuals to take better care of their health. I am passionate about people, and medicine will allow me to engage in a palpable, physical way in my future patient’s lives that are consistent with my interest in biology and problem-solving skills. Though I have been creatively and intellectually inspired by life sciences, I know I would find using my experience and expertise to provide practical service to others more favorable.

Medical professionals are to black women as police are to black men. Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, at the hands of clinicians. Institutionalized racism is causing maternal mortality at an alarming rate. My name is Aminah Johnson, I am a future world-class pediatric surgeon. I come from a family of medical professionals, my great-grandmother, grandmother, and my mom are all nurses, I will be the first doctor in my family. Black girl, white coat, that has a nice ring to it, and someday that will be my reality. When I am certified in practicing internal medicine, I plan to start a blog centered around my journey and inspiring other black girls that also dream of one day rocking a white coat. Going to school to receive a doctorate degree will aid me in not only saving lives but, protecting lives. Only about six percent of physicians and surgeons are black, which, unfortunately, affects patients. Many white doctors and sometimes other people of color have trouble relating to black patients. Patients are more likely to feel comfortable with and trust medical professionals that look like them, which is why someone who looks like me would provide great patient care. Patient care for black women is hard to come across. Within the health community, there is a common misconception that black people can tolerate more pain because they have darker, thicker skin, and shorter nerve endings. There are black people being oppressed for their biology. The healthcare system is failing black patients, especially black women. The idea that black women are stronger and are physically equipped to handle more pain than other women, is quite harmful because it leads to the negligence of black women when giving birth. Race does not make one immune to pain. How can healthcare be equitable if all pain is not taken seriously? I feel an obligation to protect the women of my community, black women are the least considered group people when it comes to healthcare, legislation, education, and more. Black women dying during childbirth is a health epidemic which is quite disturbing. I will take the initiative and make sure there will be diversity and inclusion training for caregivers. Black women are strong, but they are not invincible, care should not be revoked due to skin color. Patients need to feel safe reporting their symptoms, therefore, a trusting patient-provider relationship is important. Unfortunately, I cannot save every black woman, but I will extend sympathy and ensure safety for as many as possible. Medical malpractice should not and will not be tolerated. I will advocate for all women, but black women need the most protection. Black women will not be ignored, black women will not be denied treatment, black women will not be treated like they do not matter. Keeping black women alive as well as bringing their children into this world will be taken more seriously. I will be the black girl in a white coat that advocates for black women and birth justice.

Medical professionals are to black women as police are to black men. Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than white women, at the hands of clinicians. Institutionalized racism is causing maternal mortality at an alarming rate. My name is Aminah Johnson, I am a future world-class pediatric surgeon. I come from a family of medical professionals, my great-grandmother, grandmother, and my mom are all nurses, I will be the first doctor in my family. Black girl, white coat, that has a nice ring to it, and someday that will be my reality. When I am certified in practicing internal medicine, I plan to start a blog centered around my journey and inspiring other black girls that also dream of one day rocking a white coat. Going to school to receive a doctorate's will aid me in not only saving lives but, protecting lives. Only about six percent of physicians and surgeons are black, which unfortunately, affects patients. Many white doctors and sometimes other people of color have trouble relating to black patients. Patients are more likely to feel comfortable with and trust medical professionals that look like them, which is why someone who looks like me would provide great patient care. Patient care for black women is hard to come across. Within the health community, there is a common misconception that black people can tolerate more pain because they have darker, thicker skin, and shorter nerve endings. There are black people being oppressed for their biology. The healthcare system is failing black patients, especially black women. The idea that black women are stronger and are physically equipped to handle more pain than other women, is quite harmful because it leads to the negligence of black women when giving birth. Race does not make one immune to pain. How can healthcare be equitable if all pain is not taken seriously? I feel an obligation to protect the women of my community, black women are the least considered group people when it comes to healthcare, legislation, education and more. Black women dying during childbirth is a health epidemic which is quite disturbing. I will take the initiative and make sure there will be diversity and inclusion training for care givers. Black women are strong, but they are not invincible, care should not be revoked due to skin color. Patients need to feel safe reporting their symptoms, therefore, a trusting patient-provider relationship is important. Unfortunately, I cannot save every black woman, but I will extend sympathy and ensure safety for as many as possible. Medical malpractice should not and will not be tolerated. I will advocate for all women, but black women need the most protection. Black women will not be ignored, black women will not be denied treatment, black women will not be treated like they do not matter. Keeping black women alive as well as bringing their children into this world will be taken more seriously. I will be the black girl in a white coat that advocates for black women and birth justice.