1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.  Hi Premed Star! My name is Stacy Ann James I was born and raised in beautiful Guyana the only English speaking country in South America. Eight years ago, my family and I migrated to the United States of America and I currently reside in Brooklyn, New York. I recently graduated from Medgar Evers College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology Cum Laude with a premedical concentration, an accomplishment my family and I are extremely proud of since I am a first-generation college graduate. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, camping, spending quality time with family and friends not forgetting a little retail therapy or you can find me singing in my church’s gospel choir. Fun, adventurous and enthusiastic are just few of my traits. Some of my special interest includes mentoring, women empowerment and advocacy for equal opportunities. I am very thankful for my journey thus far and for all who played a part in my success story. Currently I am applying to medical school for the 2019 cycle and I anticipate being a part of the M.D. class of 2023!!

2. Who was your favorite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?  This is definitely a hard one because I have a few favorites. My first would be my professor and mentor Dr. Chiyedza Small who peaked my interest and love for Genetics as a student in her class. After which, I conducted research in her research laboratory for the past two years at my institution. Dr. Small has her students best interest at heart. She goes above and beyond to ensure that we are successful in our career paths. I admire her strength and wisdom as a female scientist in her field. I am extremely grateful for her love and mentorship over the past years.
Next, my introductory Biology Professor Dr. Ferdinand. She is a beautiful soul and taught with such grace and passion. I remember bombarding Dr. Ferdinand with questions during office hours about furthering my studies in science specifically medicine. She became one of my mentors and continued to support my academia throughout my years in college.

3. When did you first decide you wanted to become a doctor and why?  The thought of becoming a doctor crossed my mind numerous times, however, it was during my freshman year in college I made the decision that I wanted to be a doctor. I couldn’t help but to ponder upon the fact that the human body is an amazing work of art. It was fascinating to learn about small but yet complex processes which can have and overall impact on human health. Medicine is like solving a puzzle, connecting the dots together and finding a way to complete the finished product based on knowledge. In addition, being raised in a third world country, I am a witness to the limited access to healthcare due to the lack of medical resources. Therefore, I aim to make a difference in communities that are underserved globally, bringing healing and reassurance to those who desperately desire it.

In my quest to learn and explore the medical field, I became a member of the pre-medical club at my institution. It was here where I discovered about the “Exploring Health Careers Program” at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. As an intern I was exposed to medicine through shadowing in various specialties. The most rewarding experiences was shadowing an ER Physician and witnessing a Cardiologist perform a cardiac catheterization. This encounter has help me to solidify my decision to pursue a lifelong career in medicine.

4. What area of medicine are you interested in?  I have a few areas that I am interested in. My first choice would be Emergency Medicine due to my many experiences of shadowing in the emergency room. I enjoy being challenged and I can see myself fitted in such an environment. My other interests would be Cardiology or OB/GYN. However, I am very open-mined about choosing a specialty and I can’t wait to learn and grow.

5. What’s the coolest experience you’ve had so far on your premedical journey?  My coolest experience would be volunteering during the summer for the past four years with City MD Urgent Care Clinic for the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge marathon in Central Park, New York. As part of the medical team who provided adequate medical care for runners who were injured, I was responsible for triaging by taking details of patients who are transported to the medical tent and in other cases performing basic first aid procedures like cleaning minor cuts, bruises and applying bandages. The highlight of this experience was witnessing a case of cardiac arrest at the finish line. The Physicians were able to resuscitate the individual after various rounds of CPR; This moment made me gain profound respect for Physicians and what they do on a daily basis. Overall, this was a great experience and exposure, I am truly honored to have had an opportunity where I can learn and gain some of the necessary skills needed to succeed as a future medical professional.

6. What is your favorite book?  My favorite book is “Gifted Hands” an autobiography of neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson which narrates his life growing up in a single parent home, facing many challenges especially in his academia, beating the odds going from “class dummy” to becoming one of the best pediatric neurosurgeons in his field. My next favorite is another by Dr. Ben Carson “Think Big” which offers advice on unleashing your potential for excellence. Both books were given to me by my pastor to read during my high school years. I couldn’t put the books down, they served as a great motivation personally and has continued to inspire me towards my decision of pursuing medicine as a career.

7. Tell us one thing interesting about you that most people don’t know.  One thing interesting about me is that I absolutely love to cook, I enjoy being creative in the kitchen; a trait I inherited from my mother at a tender age. Moreover, I enjoy trying various cultural cuisines; one of my favorite is Nigerian jollof rice.

8. If you couldn’t be a doctor, what would you want to do?  Honestly, I don’t see myself dedicating my life to another profession. I say this because I have nurtured this passion and prayed since choosing this path and by God’s grace I will become a doctor.

9. What has been your biggest obstacle as a premed and how did you (or are you) overcome it?  One of my biggest obstacle as a premed student was CHEMISTRY. Seeking out resources such as tutoring has helped tremendously, not forgetting office hours. Besides chemistry, I have been blessed to cross paths with my professors, advisors, mentors and friends whose unwavering support have contributed to my success as a premed.

10. What do you like most about PreMed STAR?  Meeting Dr. Dale at ABRCMS 2016 in Florida and hearing him speak about his passion for PreMed Star immediately I knew that I wanted to be a part of this community. What I like most is hearing about everyone’s journey (traditional and non-traditional) towards medicine. Our experiences and path may vary but the ultimate goal is to contribute to the field of medicine. Moreover, having access to the resources on this platform has been invaluable and it has helped me throughout my journey as premed student.

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