SWAS: What are three essential things that teens/tweens should keep in mind if they want to pursue a career in medicine
Dr. Stacey Goldley: Teens should know that this is a very challenging yet rewarding profession. It takes many years of dedicated study, perseverance, and mental toughness to navigate the process of going from student to physician, especially as a person of color. Money cannot be your only motivation because burnout is real, racial bias is real, and potential litigation is real! You have to be certain that this career is your calling and that being of service to others is your primary focus!
SWAS: How did you determine your area of specialty while in Medical School?
Dr. Stacey Goldley: Prior to medical school, I dreamt of becoming a pediatrician. My mentor was the first black pediatrician in my hometown and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. However, my pediatric rotation was very underwhelming and I knew that wasn’t the field for me. I did my OBGYN rotation and fell in love! Delivering babies, educating patients, and assisting with surgeries were some of the most exciting experiences I had ever had. I was initially intimidated by the unpredictable schedules and occasional complications that many OBGYNs have, but I connected with black female OBGYNs who encouraged me to see past that and pursue what truly made me happy.
SWAS: What is one of your favorite things about being a
doctor?
Dr. Stacey Goldley: I love advocating for patients and educating them on what they have access to in terms of treatment and overall care. Many people of color feel like doctors do not care about their needs and have no compassion for their experiences. It warms my heart to hear about the impact I have had on patients' lives and it is so rewarding to have them refer their friends and family to me. They see me as a role model and they KNOW I will provide them with the best possible care!
SWAS: How does it feel to be an underrepresented minority in the medical field, and what challenges did you have to overcome along the way?
Dr. Stacey Goldley: That's a good question. I often feel like my knowledge and expertise are not valued. I have to prove my worth to others and earn their respect, whereas my
white counterparts don't have those same struggles. I've been mistaken for cleaning staff in the hospital while wearing my white coat, my male medical students have been addressed as the attending physician even after I have introduced myself as such, and nurses have completely ignored me until they found out that I was the physician in charge. But despite all that, it is incredibly fulfilling to have black patients express excitement when they meet me for the first time. Some have FaceTimed their parents and grandparents to show them that they have a young black doctor! I am proud that they feel like they have someone who identifies with them. That is absolutely priceless and I feel blessed to be in a position to do that for so many patients!
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