Was issued my white coat today...

Today marked day three of new student orientation at University of The Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. Loving what I am seeing, hearing, and experiencing starting with the diversity in the class. By my count, it looks like my class has 5-6 Black men, including myself and I've seen 5-6 Black women as well. Looks like my class is made up of somewhere between 5.9% to 7.2% Black students. Compare that to 1%-2% at ATSU-SOMA in most years. There are significant numbers of Latinx and S.E. Asian students in my class as well and I've heard that something like 45% of the class is made up of under represented in medicine (URiM). There are 167 students in my class and we have a group photo coming up. When that gets posted, I'll be able to say for sure how many Black students are in my class but I will say that for now, its a very comforting environment.

Was issued my White Coat today & for me, it really did signify the move from PhD student/candidate/graduate to medical student. As I was driving in today, Eminem’s “I’m not afraid” came on and I was reminded about my homelessness, being legally blind without health insurance at one time, and my battles with PTSD. I was also reminded about the love & care that I have been blessed to receive from my wife, my friend & mentor Rob Henderson, my sisters, Pat, Deb, and Kiara, my two “daughters”, Destiney & Asia, my boy Chuka, and all of the other members of my village who helped to make these accomplishments possible. I have a single minded purpose to do what God put on my heart but will not get there except for the love and support of my tribe. 💯

… it's been a ride Everybody, I guess I had to Go to that place To get to this one …

… ‘Cause ain't no way I'm a let you stop me from causin' mayhem When I say I'm a do somethin' I do it I don't give a damn what you think I'm doin' this for me, so fuck the world, feed it beans It's gassed up, if it thinks it's stoppin' me I'mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly And all those who look down on me, I'm tearin' down your balcony …

~ Eminem

#MizzouMade #Mizzou #SinclairSchoolofNursing #PhD #classof2021 #UIWSOM #DoctorofOsteopathicMedicine #classof2025