1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Tiana Clemons and I am originally from Chicago, IL but I’ve lived in Michigan for ~10 years. I attended Western Michigan University as an undergraduate and earned 3 Bachelor degrees and 1 Master degree. I am currently a graduate student attending Quinnipiac University and I will apply to medical schools this upcoming cycle. I love to mentor, read and dance.

2. Who was your favorite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?
My favorite teacher in school and out of it is Life. She has taught me how to be present and considerate while dedicating my time to a commitment.

3. When did you first decide you wanted to become a doctor and why? 
The youngest I remember wanting to be a doctor was about eight years old. I loved learning about the human body and how different body functions occur. What solidified my decision to becoming a doctor was a lack of satisfaction in pursuing other career paths. No matter what, I somehow came back to medicine and helping patients and their families.

4. What area of medicine are you interested in?
I am interested in orthopaedic surgery, geriatrics, and cardiothoracic surgery.

5. What’s the coolest experience you’ve had so far on your premedical journey?
My coolest experience was working with a dementia patient to write a short story about her life. Every time we met she didn’t remember the last meeting, but by the time we finished the book She told me, ” I will never forget you”. That touched me to my soul.

6. What is your favorite book? 
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

7. Tell us one thing interesting about you that most people don’t know.
My initials are TLC and I think it’s awesome! Tender, Loving, Care is great for a future doctor 🙂

8. If you couldn’t be a doctor, what would you want to do?
Absolutely nothing else – If I could be a doctor and do something afterward, then I would be a mentor and consultant for healthcare policy changes (public interest lobbyist)

9. What has been your biggest obstacle as a premed and how did you (or are you) overcome it?
The biggest obstacle I faced occured during my time as an undergraduate with overextending myself and a lack of resources. School, work, extracurriculars, and life were hard to balance and I didn’t really seek help. Now that I am a graduate student and VERY INTENTIONAL about my path to medical school, I make sure to stay at peace. For example, I positioned myself to solely focus on my graduate courses without a work obligation, I attend office hours, and visit an academic counselor every week. As a result, my first semester I earned a 4.0! I’m in my second semester and working to maintain my GPA while studying for the MCAT. Now that I know I can achieve academic success, I am confident that I can accomplish my goals.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

10. What do you like most about PreMed STAR?
I love the sense of community. It’s so vital to this process to know you’re not alone and that we can support each in
accomplishing our professional aspirations.

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