By Rina Risper
The New Citizens Press
E. LANSING, MI — Angenette Purcell is a wife and mother. She has 4 children: 2 boys and 2 girls. Her oldest daughter Sharnae is 20 years old and is a pre-law major at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Katlynn is 12 years old, Justin is 10 years old and Amir is 7 months old. Purcell is also a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine with an interest in woman’s health.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, since 1982-83, the proportion of applicants who were women has ranged from less than a third (32.7% in 1982-83) to just over half (50.8% in 2003-04). Of the 42,315 applicants for the entering class of 2007-08, 51.0 percent were men and 49.0 percent were women. Despite small decreases in the percentage of women applicants since 2003-04, the total number of women applicants has been increasing since 2002-03. The applicants for 2007-08 included 20,734 women-the largest pool of women applicants ever.
Attending medical school presents a different set of challenges for Purcell. She said while having family responsibilities is challenging and overwhelming at times she has a supportive and wonderful husband, Fareed Rashad. His barbershop Amir’s Image just opened at 3314 S. Cedar at the corner of Holmes.
“He is a barber and has a flexible schedule that works very well with my busy schedule, whatever I lack in he picks up! I’m truly blessed,” said Purcell.
She was born in Long Island, New York but grew up on the Westside of Detroit. She received her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Michigan State University and Sociology from University of Michigan. She would like to become an OB/GYN focusing on high-risk pregnancies, gynecology oncology and fertility.
Her interest in medicine emerged as a young child when her grandmother’s legs were amputated due to complications of peripheral vascular disease/diabetes. Purcell would rush home after school to assist her mother with the care of my grandmother. She wrestled with many questions about the disease process. For example, is diabetes preventable?
It was in high school that her journey to become a physician began. During her sophomore year, I volunteered as a candy striper at Mount Carmel Hospital in Detroit. She assisted nurses in cleaning and feeding infants. At this time, she had the opportunity to witness the miracle of birth-a truly exhilarating experience.
“I shadowed an OB/GYN and observed his interactions with his patients during the delivery process. It was through these experiences that I gained a clear sense of what it means to comfort, empathize, and provide strength to patients. My desire to practice medicine solidified,” said Purcell.
Her role model is Dr. Hilda Hutcherson who is a professor of clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia College of Physician and Surgeons. She trains new physicians and is an accomplished author, guiding African American women through their pregnancies and advising women about their sexuality. Purcell said that Dr. Hutcherson inspires her because she’s an African American physician who’s committed to empowering woman and giving back to her community.
After residency, Purcell would like to practice medicine in an urban area and help those who are less fortunate. Additionally, she would like to start a program to assist and motivate teenage mothers to pursue higher education while balancing family life. I believe there is so much focus on preventing teenage pregnancy and there are not enough programs to assist those young women who have chosen to have their children.
A Different Path – Same Goal
Fellow student Ayana Maia Wilson was born and raised in Detroit, MI. Like Purcell, during her formative years Wilson spent a lot of time in the hospital working as a candystriper at St. John’s Hospital in Detroit, MI. This experience, along with advanced coursework in the biological sciences at Renaissance High School, helped Wilson decide that she would pursue a career in medicine, despite the obstacles that she may face.
Wilson’s path to medical school was not a direct one. After high school , Wilson attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Following graduation, Wilson received her commission in the U.S. Navy and served for 6 years as a Surface Warfare Officer. During that time she deployed to the Mediterranean and the North Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Wilson said, “Being a student (again) especially at this age is much different than in undergraduate. During college, I was trying to juggle my ROTC courses with the rest of my school work and it was very difficult. It was difficult to realize that I was not like the average college student who only had to worry about school work. I was going to school and training for my future career.”
School is now very different for Wilson, she is married to Michael, who she says is wonderful and supportive. They share their home with their dog, Sampson. She said she is focused more than she has ever been in the past.
“I can study for 10-12 hours in one sitting and not feel like I’m "missing out" on something. I enjoyed hanging out in college and when I was working and now it’s time for me to buckle down, and I’m fine with that. It is a temporary sacrifice for something that I’ve wanted to do my whole life. On the other hand, I am married now and I have to juggle my studies with not neglecting my husband. However, he is very supportive and understanding of the sacrifice that we are both making. This road would be so much harder without him,” lamented Wilson.
As a candy striper she was fascinated by the diversity of the patients and their ailments, "There was something new and different behind each door". The smallest task, such as a cup of ice water or helping someone wash their hair, could offer each patient a little bit of comfort. After witnessing a caesarean section delivery and working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), she developed a strong interest in Obstetrics and Gynecology where she could address issues dealing with women’s health and pregnancy.
Facing Challenges, Realizing Dreams
Both Purcell and Wilson, still have challenges ahead. However, the common denominator is they have the drive to succeed. They surrounded themselves with knowledgeable advisors and supportive individuals who have provided them with valuable assistance as they prepare for their chosen profession.
Both offer insight to going to medical school. They both believe that you should follow your dreams and don’t listen when negative people say you cannot do it. They both plan on having the prestigious title of Dr. in front of their names and they both will have truly weathered the storm to obtain it.
