In second grade, I struggled with reading. Although I could technically read, I wasn't hooked on phonics and had difficulty pronouncing basic words and understanding what I read. This made me self-conscious about reading aloud, fearing my secret would be discovered. Despite asking for help, my hard work outside of school masked my struggles, so my grades didn’t show that I needed assistance. I silently endured and learned to compensate. Following my mothers mantra, “fake it ‘til you make it,” I navigated through high school, the United States Military Academy, and even into medical school by faking it. However, during my first year at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, I received several failing grades, including in Anatomy and Histology. I thought my dream of becoming a doctor, a dream shared with my father, was over. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my true journey toward my passion and purpose.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine committed to understanding my struggles, allowing me to decelerate my program and attain my medical degree. After graduation, I completed a Pediatric Residency in Detroit and then returned to the Army to serve as a Pediatrician. Through the Army, I discovered a population of dependents with learning issues similar to mine, which inspired me to become an
advocate for them.
I shifted my focus to learning about Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, and mood disorders. I recognized the medical systems inefficacy in dealing with these special needs populations and set out to create a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment. Soon, I opened a private medical practice to help children and adults overcome
obstacles and reach their potential.
After six years of successfully supporting children and their families, I realized my work was far from over. I closed my clinic to refocus my efforts to help individuals find real solutions by meeting them where they are. After completing a Health and Wellness Coaching Program and obtaining a certification in Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Management, I became a certified Empowerment Strategist. I help teenagers and adults make lasting lifestyle changes, establish balance in their lives, and advocate for opportunities in school and the workplace. Through individual and group coaching and targeted workshops, I strive to change the conversation to one of inclusion and partnership, reinforcing the idea that it takes a village to raise a child and realize our nations true potential.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine committed to understanding my struggles, allowing me to decelerate my program and attain my medical degree. After graduation, I completed a Pediatric Residency in Detroit and then returned to the Army to serve as a Pediatrician. Through the Army, I discovered a population of dependents with learning issues similar to mine, which inspired me to become an
advocate for them.
I shifted my focus to learning about Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, and mood disorders. I recognized the medical systems inefficacy in dealing with these special needs populations and set out to create a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment. Soon, I opened a private medical practice to help children and adults overcome
obstacles and reach their potential.
After six years of successfully supporting children and their families, I realized my work was far from over. I closed my clinic to refocus my efforts to help individuals find real solutions by meeting them where they are. After completing a Health and Wellness Coaching Program and obtaining a certification in Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Management, I became a certified Empowerment Strategist. I help teenagers and adults make lasting lifestyle changes, establish balance in their lives, and advocate for opportunities in school and the workplace. Through individual and group coaching and targeted workshops, I strive to change the conversation to one of inclusion and partnership, reinforcing the idea that it takes a village to raise a child and realize our nations true potential.