Issue link: https://trevordayschool.uberflip.com/i/1295455
Shakira Burton, M.D. '07 General Surgery Resident Physician 5 1 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 In what ways did your Trevor education influence your career? Trevor Day School provided the initial stepping stones for my pathway to medicine before I was even aware of the fact that I wanted to pursue it. Having attended public school in the Bronx, the Trevor curriculum was not only a novel experience—it was more rigorous. At Trevor, I was enrolled in chemistry, physics, and biology classes during my entire four years, which was a unique opportunity that I still cherish today. It was Dr. Raisher's courses in anatomy and physiology, and genetics, that really intrigued me and piqued my interest in the sciences. I wanted to learn more about the human body and its intricate functions. However, I never dreamed of being where I am today, a third-year general surgery resident at Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shortly after completing medical school, I had the opportunity to visit Trevor, and I was so happy to visit teachers Alfred Liu, Jeff Tam, Eric Raisher, and Jamie McClintock, and to express my deep appreciation and thanks to each of them. ese teachers inspired me, challenged me, and pushed me to become a more critical thinker. What are your passions? I am passionate about medicine and working to help eliminate the many health inequities that plague communities of color. Also, in an effort to increase the level of diversity in medicine, I am equally passionate about mentoring and inspiring other black students to pursue their dream of working in the health services profession. My desire to stay abreast of prevalent social and economic injustices, and to play an active role in working to mitigate these issues, actually began at Trevor. As a member and facilitator of Multiple Identities, One World (MIOW), I had the unique opportunity, along with my peers, to engage in educational forums and workshops aimed at initiating conversations with community members about inequities, systemic processes, and barriers that limit black and brown individuals' access to quality healthcare, education, and social services. My affinity for such platforms and organizations has continued throughout my schooling experiences at Spelman College, and at Drexel University College of Medicine. In this current climate of police brutality and widespread health inequities, which have been exacerbated by COVID-19, a few fellow residents and I joined forces and founded an organization at our hospital: Black Residents Council (BRC). I am one of BRC's cofounders and its first president. e organization exists primarily to help foster a friendly and supportive environment for black residents; to explore ways to increase diversity in medicine; to educate the community about the impact of health and social disparities; and Left: Shakira at commencement in June 2007, at the Church of the Heavenly Rest; Right: Shakira and her family at Drexel University College of Medicine commencement in May 2018.