Scholarship recipient at Boonshoft School of Medicine plans to serve in an underserved community

Shanice Robinson is a third-year medical student at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Shanice Robinson, a third-year medical student at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, has been awarded a two-year scholarship from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), a federal government program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Workforce.

The NHSC awards scholarships to medical students committed to primary care. The scholarship pays tuition, fees, other educational costs and provides a living stipend in return for a commitment to work at least two years at an NHSC-approved site in a medically underserved community. For each year of financial support, the medical student agrees to serve one year at an NHSC-approved site in a high-need urban, rural or frontier community. Service begins after completion of primary care residency training.

Robinson plans to go into primary care and serve in an underserved community after residency to fulfill her two-year commitment to NHSC. After her commitment ends, she plans to continue to serve underserved communities.

“I want to go into primary care because primary health care embodies and promotes key aspects of medicine, including health literacy, disease prevention management, continuity of care, individualized treatment for varying illnesses and prolonged health maintenance,” said Robinson, who is from Canton, Ohio. “I want to work in an underserved area and focus on women’s health, prenatal access, sexual health education, elimination of reproductive health disparities and international health.”

The NHSC scholarship means a lot to Robinson. “This scholarship will help me tremendously by lessening the financial burden and allowing me to continue to focus on my studies while I complete the remainder of my medical school journey,” she said.

Her journey to medical school began when she was a child. She had a deep passion for science.

“I found myself curious about everything related to science. I was always asking questions,” said Robinson, who will graduate in May 2019. “I was always excited to learn.”

Her aunt inspired her throughout childhood. She encouraged her and sacrificed a lot to ensure that Robinson and her twin sister had opportunities to succeed.

“My aunt embodies what it means to be selfless, loving, caring, strong and hard-working,” Robinson said. “I wouldn’t be here to today without her love, guidance, strength and sacrifice.”

Robinson graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She wants to become a physician to make a difference in the lives of others through healing, advocacy, resources and empowerment.

“A career in medicine allows me to marry so many passions and interests that I have, such as my passion and love for science, yearning and desire to help others, the constant ability to grow and gain knowledge and the amazing opportunity to be a change agent and make a difference,” Robinson said. “My mission is to be an advocate for affordable and quality health care in underserved communities. I will dedicate my career to addressing the medical needs of those in poverty.”

She chose to attend the Boonshoft School of Medicine for several reasons. “When I interviewed here, I got a true sense of the family-oriented community, and I felt so welcomed,” Robinson said. “I love the different avenues of peer learning that the Boonshoft School of Medicine offers, including team-based learning and peer instruction sessions.”

Robinson has enjoyed her experience as a medical student at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. The opportunity to rotate through the nine teaching hospitals affiliated with the Boonshoft School of Medicine has provided her with an opportunity to encounter a diverse range of patients, practices and facilities.

“I truly love that we have the opportunity to rotate through all of the different teaching hospitals in the area,” she said. “This real-world experience is preparing me for my medical career.”

At the Boonshoft School of Medicine, Robinson has been involved in several student organizations, including American Medical Women’s Association; Obstetrics and Gynecology Club; Reach Out of Montgomery County, a free clinic that provides health care access to the uninsured and underinsured population of Dayton; and Student to Student, a community education program run by medical students. She also has been a student member of the Admissions Committee at the Boonshoft School of Medicine and has served as a mentor for Horizons in Medicine, a Boonshoft School of Medicine program that provides local high school students, mostly from disadvantaged or minority backgrounds, a sense of career possibilities in health care. In 2016, she traveled to Togo, West Africa, as part of a student-initiated elective.