During the match process, there are so many awesome stories shared on social media and with family and friends. What is often overlooked is the stories that are a true inspiration. Ones in which student doctors get the dreaded “you didn’t match” email, but by some stroke of favor, grace, blessing (whatever you want to call it) these people find a match and become some of the best in their field. One of them happens to be among the 11% of African American female physicians who are OB/GYNs. Join me as we assess success in medicine with my friend, Dr. Chioma “Camille” Okekpe!

Story:

Ryce:

Camille!!! Thank you for sharing on the blog today. I know that you graduated from the best university in the nation (War Eagle!), but how did you end up with a career as a physician after that?

Camille:

It’s somewhat different from the “usual” doctor’s story. That was never an aspiration of mine growing up. In high school I wanted to do advertising. When I reached college I had decided upon physical therapy. It wasn’t until my final year of college that I settled on medicine. My father, being the proper Nigerian man that he is, pushed and pushed for me to pursue medicine. I’m sure many of you have heard the joke that in a Nigerian home the children have 4 career choices: doctor, lawyer, engineer, or disgrace to the family. Now, being that I had no interest in law or math, the second and third choices were easy to divert from. Interestingly enough my American [maternal] aunt encouraged me to attend a summer program at UAB directed towards minorities interested in medicine. Like the easily swayed individual I am, I decided to pursue medicine.

Ryce:

Usually people know really early on that they want to pursue medicine. What things did you do to help you prepare for medical school since you decided later on to pursue it?

Camille:

It was not an easy task for me. I chose to pursue a master’s in Biological Sciences to help boost my resume and GPA which consisted of a lot of bench work, research, teaching undergraduate students, and caring for animals of differing species. During that time I studied for the MCAT, which I ended up taking a total of 3 times. I was finally accepted into a post baccalaureate program at Drexel. After a year in this program, 50K and a 3.0 GPA, I could gain acceptance into their med school. Instead, I chose to accept a position as a researcher at the CDC. Just as I had completed the orientation process and was shown my workspace I received notice that I had been accepted into medical school. I chucked up the deuces, moved to KY, and entered into medical school. After 2 years of classwork, my 2 years of clinical rotations had me at several hospitals throughout the country and one internationally in Arusha, Tanzania.

Ryce:

Wow, you were really a world traveler! What happened during the match process?

Camille:

The match process was grueling and almost left me jobless, I eventually scrambled into a program in NY that I had not even applied to and finally became an OBGYN resident. Four years of residency in New York and New Jersey, honestly, prepared me for almost any adversity whether it be in medicine or life. Currently, I am working in California as a board certified OB/GYN and have decided to continue my training in Maternal Fetal Medicine (high risk obstetrics).

Obstacles:

Ryce:

You touched on a couple of things, but what are some of the biggest obstacles you had to face to get to where you are and how did you overcome them?

Camille:

Failure. Maybe this is not the best choice of words, but it accurately describes how I felt multiple times throughout this process. Taking the MCAT 3 times was not because I love taking long, ridiculously expensive tests, but because it was necessary to make me more marketable to schools. Applying to approximately 3.2 million medical schools just to be accepted by only 1 was not because I love being judged while spending a ridiculous amount of money. Applying to 2.8 billion residency programs just to scramble into one that was never on my radar was not because I like taking ridiculously expensive domestic trips …are you starting to notice a theme here? I felt like a failure; but hey I had already “failed” so what was the worst that could happen if I kept trying. Ultimately, I could either quit or keep striving to complete what I set out to do. My family’s belief in me, advice from colleagues who were where I wanted to be, empathetic classmates who were currently in my situation, an underlying competitive nature, and faith is what helped me overcome these obstacles.

Ryce:

The right things happened at the right time. They may not have looked like what you planned, but you had support and will to win. That’s everything. Were those the only things that contributed to how you made peace with the “failures” you experienced? 

Camille:

I simply realized that this journey I was embarking on was not a simple one and obstacles were inevitable. The moment I saw myself get past one and achieve whatever that short-term goal was, I knew it was not impossible to meet my ultimate goal.

Action:

Ryce:

How would you say that your challenges help you formulate a plan and ultimately move forward with your journey?

Camille:

You know, there is really something to be said for the adage “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” What could be perceived as huge setbacks or failures by many were seen as more of an inconvenience for me after a while. I learned how to better deal with the unexpected and the word “no.” I learned to just keep trying; the worst that can happen is another no, but what if just that one time you receive a “yes”… the possibilities! Eventually, I got to the point in my life where I was no longer fighting to be seen or feeling forced to stand out in a crowd of overachievers. Not only did it feel as if a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, but it was also a bit of an uncomfortable feeling coming from a history of obstacles/failures. I was in uncharted territories at this point. Like, “y’all want me? Me-me?!?!” But it helps you to realize your worth; your hard work wasn’t unnoticed or in vain…you deserve to finally be coveted.

Ryce:

Now you’re preaching to me. When I’m taking Ls, I’ll have to revisit this section to remind me to keep going. What “prescription” can you give to someone pursing a career in medicine?

Camille:

I recently heard a commencement speech given by Cpt. DeShauna Barber, Miss USA 2016. She talks about her introduction to beauty pageants and how she lost her first SIX state pageants. She says it best when she states:

“ At times our purpose drops in our laps as if the heavens threw it there by accident … do not fear failure, but please be terrified of regret. Giving up is the birth of regret … Don’t be afraid of nos, but the possibility of a yes that you have prematurely destroyed because you decided to quit before the clock strikes 12. “

Ryce:

That speech is so good. I recommend everyone check it out here.

Purpose:

Ryce:

So now that you’ve conquered the Mount Everest of medicine and residency, what’s next for you?

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Camille:

Looking for a job so I can finally get started as a Maternal Fetal Medicine physician on my own. I currently operate as an OB/GYN independently, but now I have reached the final step of my educational journey. I will complete my fellowship training in approximately one year. So, if you are 35 or older, have comorbidities, or have had a previous pregnancy with either maternal or neonatal complications, hit me up!

Ryce:

I guess this means you should move to Texas (wink, wink). I’m sure whatever you decide will be great. Look at what you’ve done already! Because you’ve had such a unique experience, how are you using it to motivate others?

Camille:

I think my story is a real and relatable one. Everything doesn’t come easily to everyone and unfortunately, it is not often (especially in medicine) that we hear stories like mine. It is important to realize that you may not get the result you want the first go ‘round, but all it takes is one yes. And once you are in, you can really display your worth.

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Ryce:

I’m sure there will be plenty of people who find value in your experience. Thanks again for sharing!

Camille’s Faves!!