Diversity and representation matters. It is easier to be what you can see.
When I was 10 years old, I was at a pumpkin carving party and my friend’s surgeon father told me that I had good hands and should become a surgeon. I was thrilled that someone believed that I could do something amazing like that. He was the first person that inspired me to be a surgeon.
At a recent dinner with a group of female doctors, we talked about who inspired us. I was surprised that for almost all of us, it was one person that started us on the path to medicine. It made me think about how powerful words are and how the encouragement of one person can change the trajectory of someone’s life. It is easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of life and work but it is important to take the time to talk to and encourage others.
I got this chance when assistant principal Mariano Escobedo asked me to talk at career day for the 4th and 5th graders at Carvajal Elementary School in SAISD. We talked about my path in surgery and engineering.
Before I left the school that day, a young girl about 10 years old came up to me.
“I want to be one of those doctors that takes care of kids,” she said.
“You want to be a Pediatrician!”, I told her.
“Pediatrician,” she repeated. “I’m going to be a pediatrician.”
That student may or may not end up being a pediatrician, but right now, she believes she can be one. I hope at least one kid was inspired by my visit and 30 years from now, they will have the opportunity to talk to kids about their job as a surgeon and/or engineer. Sometimes all we need is someone to believe in us.
Story&Photos: Amita Shah
