Hello again everybody, here is the fourth installment of MLK Wednesdays, featuring Charles Farmer. :) Tell us about yourself! I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2012 and I am currently a third year medical student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. My long-term goal is to become an emergency medicine physician. During my tenure at Seton Hall I was a resident assistant, a member of the Pre-Med Pre-Dent Plus Program and I served as the vice-president of MLKSA during my senior year. In medical school I have continued to uphold my dedication for community service by serving as an active member of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) SNMA is one of the oldest and largest student run organizations focusing on the needs and concerns of students of color. SNMA operates on a chapter, regional, and national level. At the chapter level, we are actively involved in the recruitment of minority students to Hopkins as well as community service. For the past two years I have served as the co-chair of the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP), which is a program, geared towards introducing high school students to the fields of science and medicine. Some of our sessions have focused on topics such as physical exam and interviewing techniques, community service, and collaboration among professionals within the health field. In addition I served as the treasurer for our chapter and I am now serving as the treasurer for our region, which consists of all the schools in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. How has MLKSA influence you? Being apart of MLKSA has been one of the highlights of my college career. I could probably write an entire book about the memorable experiences I have had with my fellow scholars that have helped shape me into the man I am today. When I first entered the scholarship I was very shy and mostly focused on my studies but if anyone knows the individuals of the class of 2012, being a quiet member of our class was simply not allowed. One thing that I always appreciated about the MLKSA family is that we are always striving for more and we constantly challenge each other to step outside of our comfort zones so that we may continue to grow as an organization and as future leaders. Being an MLKSA scholar helped me develop a voice as I was always encouraged to share my insights and opinions in a constructive matter. To this day I continue use the communication skills MLKSA helped me develop in my personal and professional life. For example, at times it can be very intimidating as a medical student to offer an opinion about a patient’s care to the medical team, which consists of highly experienced physicians. Because of my experience as a scholar instead of shying away from the experience, I welcome the opportunity to actively contribute to patient care and use each experience as chance to show my knowledge as well as embrace constructive criticism from my colleagues. Lastly, one of the many Prtichett quotes that I always valued was “To whom much is given, much is required.” Being given the opportunity to attend medical school was one of the greatest blessings I have ever received, but being a scholar taught me that while individual success is important, it is of greater importance to use your skills to help others succeed as well. During my tenure in medical school, I have put a tremendous amount of time and effort in mentoring the next generation of physician leaders. Being a mentor of Scholar Buddies and Operation X helped me understand that we have a responsibility to show those coming behind us that success can be obtained with the right attitude and work ethic. My hope is that not only will the students I mentor feel inspired to follow their dreams and aspirations but that they will continue to pave it forward for others.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:59:46 +0000
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