by 
I use my birthday month as a natural reflection point. 3 years ago this month, I stepped out on faith to live my life and build my career on my terms. One year ago this month, I prepared to volunteer in Mutomo, Kenya for 6 months. I have been back for 6 months and resumed my work schedule a locums physician in Maine and Pennsylvania. In addition to traveling between those states, I have attended conferences, traveled to meet friends and celebrated important birthdays with family.
A few weeks ago, feeling a little overwhelmed from my summer travel schedule, I found myself in Atlanta, GA for a national meeting. The State of Black Health sought to bring together organizations, activists and individuals interested in improving the lives of marginalized and vulnerable populations. While I love practicing clinical medicine, improving health equity is as important to me. The sessions ranged from disparities as they related to tobacco use, LGBTQ populations, economic empowerment, and community collaborations, to updates from the Black Lives Matter movement. While I was encouraged by the number of diverse and engaged people attending the meeting, the weight of the issues at hand seemed insurmountable.
Taking a small break from the meeting, I met up with one of my friends from high school who has lived in the Atlanta area for more than a decade. A very thoughtful person, she brought me a birthday gift. Nothing extravagant, just a token in recognition of my birthday and our friendship. That simple gesture, gave me the pick me up I needed. It reminded me of the importance of life-long friendships and, that this journey is not by chance. It also energized me to return to the meeting determined to focus on what I can do to improve health equity and not be discouraged by what I can’t do. My birthday dream is to live my best life by helping others live theirs.
