Crossing Borders to Build Future Physicians

Crossing Borders to Build Future Physicians

The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010, left the country with damaging effects, including a fractured health care system. On an annual service trip, volunteers of the ISMMS student organization, Medical Students for Haiti (MS4H), visit Haiti to train their international peers on basic medical practices, in an effort to build a cohort of competent physicians and clinicians who are ready to overturn the country’s current health care state.  (more…)

Commuting Like a Pro—From Brooklyn to East Harlem (And Back Again)

Commuting Like a Pro—From Brooklyn to East Harlem (And Back Again)

When I tell people that I commute back and forth between East Harlem and where I live in Brooklyn, they’re always surprised as to why I chose not to dorm on campus at Aron Hall. My response is that commuting is what I’m used to. I spent four years commuting to Hunter College and loved being in the city during the day and coming home to my family at night. Of course, commuting can be tough too. (more…)

A Hunger for More—Powerlifting My Way to the Top

A Hunger for More—Powerlifting My Way to the Top

After two and a half years of training and four state competitions, I woke up at 4 am on a brisk October morning to catch my flight to Atlanta for my first USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals. With my squat shoes, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, belt, chalk, and singlet in my gym bag and my laptop and 70 pages of review material for my Structures final exam in my backpack, I set off to LaGuardia Airport. Time until my self-set deadline to take the exam: 16 hours. Time until I would compete: 28 hours.  (more…)

From Rio to Med School: A Reflection on Transitioning

From Rio to Med School: A Reflection on Transitioning

My stomach is twisting and my heart is beating rapidly. Feelings of dread and self-doubt overwhelm me.

“We have alignment, attention, GO!” the announcer makes the official starting call. My mind goes blank, and I’m racing toward the finish line 2000 meters away. Under the watchful eye of Cristo Redentor and thousands of spectators and donning my Nigerian uniform, I rowed in the D-final of the Women’s Single Scull event at the Olympic Games.

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