Jalil Mitchell

Background

About Jalil Mitchell

My current goals and future plans began to grow into fruition when I was only 10. After reading and producing a report on Dr. Ben Carson and his amazing accomplishments, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. I started reading more about the health field and taking STEM courses in middle school in order to learn the necessary material and prepare myself for high school. Specifically in high school, I found another passion of mine: serving others. Through my school’s labre program (feeding the hungry and homeless), my philanthropy group, and Guatemala service trip, among others, I developed a desire to help communities that are disadvantaged and limited in their resources. In college, I found the perfect majors to learn more about the social and scientific aspects of health. Neuroscience is a great major because it allows me to learn scientific evidence about the structural and physiological aspects of the body and new, innovative methods to cure or relieve symptoms of disease. My other major, Medicine, Health and Society (with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences) has allowed me to study more the impact of society and external factors on health. For example, I have done an in depth study on the protective effects of social capital on health onset’s and outcomes. This has allowed me to see how social capital, such as social support and psychological resources, differs between sex, gender, race and socioeconomic status which can positively or negatively affect these groups’ health differently. Knowing this I am able to understand and cater to my patients appropriately with this knowledge in addition to my health expertise. There is a way to mix my love for medicine and service for others which is what I see myself doing when I am established in my career. Through my dedication, hard work and experience within my studies and the medical field, I am certain this is the path I want to take. I hope to develop a strong network to continue growing myself and others academically and personally by building teamwork and leadership skills. Lastly, I want to advance the medical field with new techniques and methods of thinking in order to help disadvantaged communities learn more about their health and how to improve it.