Throughout the month of February and in celebration of Black History Month, we are excited to feature—via the Macy Notes blog—the stories, experiences, and voices of learners who are underrepresented in the health professions. Spanning medicine and nursing, and representing various points in the continuum of education, these contributors share their reflections on how the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in the health professions have affected their own personal and professional lives—and how they will carry this legacy forward. This year’s Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts,” and so it is most fitting that we are able to share these thoughtful and powerful written reflections with the Macy community.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student
Miami University
The many and significant accomplishments by African Americans in healthcare have paved the way for me to accomplish my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Becoming a nurse is hard on its own, but it must have been infinitely harder given the societal factors faced by those in the generations before me. The sacrifices made by these courageous individuals are near and dear to my heart. My grandmother, who became a registered nurse through the same nursing program as mine, is one of those people. She raised three children, with the help of her mother, while working as a full-time nurse. She made it clear that anything is possible and has served as an inspiration for the kind of nurse and woman I want to be. I feel a tremendous sense of honor and pride that I get to carry on the legacy of the amazing individuals who have come before me. After graduating from Miami University, my ultimate goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse. It is widely known that African American women are at a much higher risk for complications with birth, and I see it as an immense honor to be able to help them, and all women, day in and day out for the duration of my career.