Skip to contents
In This Issue:
The following is an excerpt from Porsha Eden’s SSJP graduation speech. Read the essay in full, as well as one written by SSJP graduate Aileen Perez, online at www.bwhpikenotes.org scrolling announcements.
What does it mean to be invisible? Invisible are those who live and represent health disparity statistics. Invisible are South African women who are raped and contract HIV, yet are told they have inflicted it upon themselves, thus not seeking medical help. Invisible are those who do not have health insurance and use the emergency room as a means of health care. Invisible are women in India who have gender selective abortions without proper reproductive services. Therefore I have not only made a commitment to myself, but to these injustices, that I must bring about change in health care…
The past three years of SSJP have allowed me to fully hone my skills of communicating, networking and simply putting myself out there in what I wanted to experience in the medical field… Through this program I was exposed to various opportunities that allowed me to extend my interests and connections with people in the medical field.
Above and beyond all things, the best medicine in the medical field is compassion and humanity. Through SSJP, I have gained a clearer understanding of how important they truly are. Witnessing a Ceasarean section, shadowing nurses, having amazing conversations, networking and just being present has allowed me to see how compassion and humanity are much needed in health care. Therefore it is necessary for me… to connect with people, pursue public health and, most importantly, open a health clinic for women.
As students of SSJP, we were given the opportunity to not be invisible but rather to be seen through our passion, intellect and direction. Through these elements, it is our responsibility to stand firm in our purpose, not only in society but in the medical field. Our faces beautifully represent larger communities that are invisible that need our voices and dedication to eliminate health care disparities. Therefore we must always embody humanity, strength and change for the invisible who seek our visibility.