• Augusta University – Undergraduate
  
• U of Maryland – Graduate School
  
• U of Maryland – Medical School
  
• Patt Tillman Scholar
  
• Past Surviving Medicine Author
  

Instagram  |  Author  |  Dear MedStudent  |  Scholar  |  Research

So last week we had on Jeremy Scott, an episode that I got a few emails about. It seemed to resonate with a lot of you. Today’s episode will likely be another one of those. In the evolving conversation of the covid-19 pandemic and the #blacklivesmatter movement, it is important to bring on guests that have unique perspectives in medicine. Although we do not usually have on medical students, today’s guest was a must! There is no better person to discuss social justice and racial health disparities than Adrienne Kambouris, a 5^th year MD/PhD student, an army veteran, a staff sergeant, and a future surgeon.

Adrienne is a non-traditional medical student who, after high school, joined the army for 10 years, got married, had three beautiful children. She then went back to school to complete two undergraduate degrees graduating with honors in Cell and Molecular Biology and Chemistry from Augusta University. Adrienne is a Tillman Scholar and is currently doing Microbial and Immunology Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She grew up in a single-parent home in inner-city Baltimore and has a passion for youth education, community service, and mentorship. Adrienne is an active premed advisor on Instagram @ssg.to.md.phd and is someone who I not only look up too, but who I use as a resource when it comes to medical education, medical research, and homeschooling.

In this conversation, we dive deep discussing her path to medicine, her training in the army, what it was like being an African American female in the army and what it is like being a scientist in a male dominated research environment. Lastly, Adrienne and I discuss how she has had to navigate prejudices of an interracial marriage and who she looks up to as mentors as she forges a path that is unique to her own. After you hear her story, you will know why I look up to her and why she is the definition of sacrifice, dedication, insight, and intelligence.

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