"For a long time, fear motivated me,”
said Jordan, of growing up in Hartford, Connecticut. “I saw my surroundings and knew early on that this is the reality of where I live and where I'm from, but that doesn't mean I have to become this or stay here.”
Committed to her studies and the pursuit of knowledge for a brighter future, Jordan earned outstanding grades, earned scholarships through Hartford Youth Scholars Steppingstone Program which allowed her to enroll in a private boarding school outside Hartford. A career in medicine remained the goal, but she did not know where to begin. Browsing online, she discovered historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and began researching their programs. While visiting family in Tallahassee, Florida, she toured Florida A&M University (FAMU) and immediately fell in love.
At FAMU, Jordan earned her bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry. As she was finishing a master’s in physiology, Jordan was introduced by a family member to third-year Ross Med student Alia Green, MD ’18. Their conversation led Jordan to Ross Med’s AIM Scholars Program, which promotes equitable educational access for highly qualified Black and Latinx students with the fortitude to complete their medical degree through partnerships with HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
From there, she joined a group of pre-medical students on a trip to Tampa, Florida, to attend a Ross Med event. Once again, she found herself saying, “This is it. This is what I want to do.”
RUSM'S Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP)
Through the AIM Scholars Program, Jordan enrolled in Ross Med’s Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP) and was on campus starting her first semester in January 2021. Her two-plus years of medical school were characterized by personal development, academic growth, and paying it forward. She founded Black Female Doctors. The organization’s purpose is to establish connections and collaborate with other Black students, educate the campus community, and spread awareness of the impact of Black women in medicine. It also creates a space for others like her to grow as mentors and mentees, like she did after her conversation with Dr. Green.
Now Jordan is focused on what’s next—her commitment to advancing equity in healthcare.
“Growing up in the inner city and going to boarding school in the suburbs, I saw firsthand the differences in healthcare and resources available in different communities,” said Jordan. “That was a spark of interest because there were a lot of things that I've never seen before or had access to. My life experience made me want to be part of a solution. I can't fix everything, but why not start with the medical field?”
Interested in learning more about how Ross Med can support your dreams of making a difference in healthcare? Request more information here.
Related Resources:
Read and hear more about the AIM Scholars Program from the Checking The Pulse podcast.
Read more about Ross Med’s HBCU and HSI partnerships
