Umaru Barrie, MD, PhD
@MansaBarrie
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Young black males could do anything. If you just give us a shot • ✊🏾 • MD-PhD UT Southwestern • Neurosurgery PGY1 NYU Langone • Refugee • 🇬🇳 🇸🇱 • NY • 🌍
Dallas, TX
Joined August 2016
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Send us removal request.
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When people ask: how difficult was your path?
Remember,
Just 22 years ago,
I came to America
I didn't know a word of English
First generation
Figuring out everything alone
Now to get both MD & PhD
The highest degrees
Then go for neurosurgery
I am blessed
🙏🏾
#MedTwitter
#MDPhD
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20 years ago, April 2002, I came to the United States as a refugee with a dollar and a dream
Now, July 2022, Ive earned my PhD, onward to complete my MD & contribute to medicine, my community and the globe
Umaru Barrie, PhD, MDc*
How it started How it’s going
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14K
What would I tell this young refugee who in 2002 had just landed in the USA looking for a better life
What would I tell this young black kid who just arrived in Harlem
I would tell him:
No matter the trials
No matter the tribulations
You stay strong
#neurosurgery
#match2024
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From elementary & middle school in Guinea to high school in Harlem, college in Albany, NIH postbac research in the Bronx, 8 years of MD-PhD in Dallas, & then next 7 years of neurosurgery residency in NYC
This journey is long.
Grateful for mentors, friends and family support ❤️
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When my family immigrated to NYC in 2002 from Guinea, the hospital we went to for medical check-ups was NYU/Bellevue Hospital
Now 22 years later,
I’ll be going back to
#NYC
to the same hospitals to train as a
#Neurosurgeon
MashaAllah 🙏🏾
GRATEFUL🙏🏾❤️
#Match2024
#Neurosurgery
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From war-torn Sierra Leone to the USA
I stand before you as a refugee
A First-Gen student
An MD-PhD graduate
A future Neurosurgeon-Scientist
I carry the hopes of many
Despite the odds,
I'm proof that dreams don't have borders
Proof that no obstacle is too great to overcome
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Today I was told that I will be the first Guinean/Guinean-American to complete a combined MD-PhD in the USA
AND will be first to get into a neurosurgery residency in the US, as well
This is an honor & testament to the power of opportunities
Thankful for my family & mentors
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This is my “why”
My mother, my Nené
She is pictured here selling various items including oranges, candy, peanuts, etc.. in the streets of Conakry, Guinea. A job she did for decades to help my family amidst the financial struggles.
Now her son an MD-PhD grad
Thank you Nené
❤️
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After 2 and half months, I’ve completed my sub-internships in Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins and Duke University.
Grateful for the opportunities, the mentors, and the experiences that have shaped this journey.
Next stop: Accra, Ghana to explore the world of global neurosurgery!
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Some days, I just sit back & think
This refugee from Sierra Leone
This young kid from a village in fouta djallon, Guinea
From Harlem
He is really getting his MD and PhD
Then pursuing neurosurgery in USA
From first gen to neurosurgery
I couldn’t have written my story any better
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Day 1 of
#neurosurgery
residency
@nyulangone
has officially begun.
Feeling incredibly excited, grateful, and thankful for this opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference.
Looking forward to the challenges and triumphs ahead as I embark on this transformative journey.
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S/O to my neurosurgery research group for these gifts for my graduation 🥺🥲
That MD, PhD goes hard 🔥
Next to Neurological Surgery? 🧨🚀
I love y’all ❤️
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Smile young man
The world is brighter
The goals are bigger
21 years ago, April 2002,
I came to the United States as a young African refugee with a dollar & a dream
Now, September 2023,
I join
#ERAS2024
as Umaru Barrie,
#MDPhD
candidate pursuing
#Match2024
for
#Neurosurgery
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PhD is in the bag ❤️
Defense ✅
Growing up where I grew up,
this dream is beyond imagination
Growing up where I grew,
This rarely happens
What I have been able to accomplish a during graduate school, by the grace of Allah, is far greater than anything I could’ve ever imagine.
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Momma, I’ve made it 👑
Officially, Umaru Barrie, PhD
✅ Born in a village in Sierra Leone
✅ Refugee to Guinea
✅ Immigrant to USA
✅ First generation college grad
✅ First gen PhD grad
Next, first gen MD-PhD grad, 2024 🌍
To every dreamer, I dare you to dream the impossible.
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Two of My PhD papers getting accepted the same day as my MD-PhD graduation
Now that’s BEAUTIFUL ❤️🙏🏾
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This is special
When my family immigrated to the US
NYC took us in
I walked & breathed NYC for years
I used to walk past Montefiore all the times
Years later,
It was the first place where I stepped into the OR & learned about neurosurgery
Now to be interviewing here!
#Blessed
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If you or anyone you know is thinking of applying to Medical School (MD) or Graduate School (PhD in Biomedical Sciences) or both (MD/PhD), please do not hesitate to contact me through direct message, comment below, or email (Umaru.barrie
@UTSouthwestern
.edu).
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One of my interviewer said:
"After reading your application, just know:
Your mentors are proud of you
Your family is proud of you
I am proud of you
You have achieved plus more despite the obstacles
& that should be celebrated"
I appreciated these words a lot
I am blessed
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GRATEFUL to match
@NYUneurosurgery
!
THANKFUL for my mentors Dr.
@dr_carlosbagley
Dr.
@SalahGAoun
, Dr.
@JuliePilitsis
, Dr. Braga, Dr. Whittemore &
@UTSWNeurosurg
for the guidance
My family and I are excited for this venture!
We ARE going BACK home to NYC to serve our community!
Congratulations to our incoming residents. Neurosurgery is so blessed to be able to recruit the best and the brightest
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Today, I want to share the incredible story of my sister and mother, two unsung heroes who have sacrificed so much for our family. Their resilience and selflessness have shaped who I am today. I owe them everything for my education and for surviving Guinea's challenges and beyond
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Alhamdulillah, I have passed STEP 2 with flying colors
Looking forward to building the next stage of my career
👨🏾🔬🧠👨🏾⚕️
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The first week of residency is complete, and what a joy it is to be back in my city, working to uplift the health of our community.
I am grateful to NYU Langone, Bellevue, and Manhattan VA for this incredible opportunity to train as a neurosurgeon-scientist.
I am ready ❤️
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Umaru Barrie, PhD
This is for the immigrants
This is for the hood
This is for the motherland
This is for the dreamers
This is for the chasers
Cheers to past 7 years
Cheers to this diploma
Cheers to the trials and tribulations
Cheers to the journey ahead
#MDPhD
#MedTwitter
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I DID IT!
Alhamdulillah, I DID IT!
I have my Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)
Today, I officially & successfully defended my PhD dissertation!
I am now Umaru Barrie, PhD!
Dr. Umaru Barrie!
I am so happy for achieving this milestone.
Next, the MD 🙏🏾
#PhD
#MDPhD
#MedTwitter
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This past month in Neurosurgery showed me how fragile life is, but also how hope persists even in the hardest moments.
I’m grateful for the lessons in resilience, compassion, and the quiet strength that carries us through uncertainty.
A humbling experience.
I am blessed
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Happy mothers’ day to these two amazing queens.
Your strength, compassion, and endless love inspire us every day. Thank you for all that you do, today and always.
With all my love and appreciation ❤️
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And to think…
In 2 weeks, I graduate with my MD and PhD degrees
In 2 months, I start my residency in neurosurgery at NYU/Bellevue
Before then, let me explore God’s Earth and connect with humans from everywhere
I am blessed beyond belief 🙏🏾
🌍🌎
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Focus, young man.
Focus.
You're destined for greatness.
Chasing the neurosurgeon-scientist dream takes sacrifice & years of dedication.
Now that you're here, be the best, do the most, and give back to the city that raised you.
The world awaits you
Your dream awaits you
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in 2016, we all started our MSTP (MD-PhD) program together, now i'm glad to say we have all matched to our preferred specialties and institutions
I am super proud of each and every of my MSTP colleagues.
8 YEARS LATER!
WE have MADE IT!
#MDPhD
#MSTP
#MedTwitter
#Match2024
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What makes
#MDPhD
hard for many first-gen students isn’t the rigor nor timing of two degrees,
It’s the stress of pursuing higher education and delaying financial security, while your family is struggling to make ends meet.
It makes you question your decisions.
It’s a battle!
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Wow, can’t stop thinking of New York City
In 2002, I started middle school at PS 200 in Harlem, NYC
Then, IS 195 in Harlem for junior high
And Manhattan Center for Science & Math in Harlem for high school
Excited to go back & work with these schools to inspire the next gen 🙏🏾
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Excited!
Meet the newest neurosurgery residents at NYU Langone Health! Thrilled & grateful to be part of this journey alongside such talented & inspiring individuals.
Here’s to an incredible adventure ahead, filled with learning, growth, & groundbreaking medical achievements!
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Europe and West Africa trip commences in 3, 2, 1
Super excited to see these places in my list ❤️🚀
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CONGRATULATIONS to our neurosurgery research group on getting 35 abstracts including 5 oral / rapid fire presentations accepted for AANS 2024.
Fantastic work by every member, NRG leadership and thankful for the support of our faculty and staff.
Looking forward to the meeting 📅
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When black nurses see me running around as the neurosurgery intern late night on service and say:
“You go get ‘em brother…keep your head up”
Warms my heart ❤️
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Behind me is my Uncle’s shop in Conakry. Our family came from humble beginnings, but what we lacked financially, we made up with grit & hustle.
Visiting Guinea reminds me how rare my journey is & strengthens my resolve to change our family's story—& many others'—for the better.
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I had the privilege of speaking to high school students from my alma mater enrolled in the Lloyd Sherman Scholars Program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
I shared my journey towards MD/PhD and Neurosurgery, lessons learned & answered questions for an engaging hour.
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My dream has always been to contribute to the mission of global neurosurgery!
I'm thrilled to be heading to Accra, Ghana, a place that has been a dream for me, to work hand in hand with dedicated individuals on the ground in clinical and research settings to improve healthcare.
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Growing up in
#Harlem
,
Being smart wasn’t cool
Being good at school wasn’t cool
“White boy” they would call you
Tease you every single day for focusing on education
Now, today, I proclaim:
Being smart is cool
Being good at school is cool
Know thyself
We Kings
Forward, always
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MSTP leadership: Umaru, you must’ve planned this entire MD-PhD path
Me: Nope, I stumbled on this path. I started doing research sophomore year of college because I could get $2,500 & help my family + I could never get a summer job; & I didn’t know about MD/PhD until senior year.
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Today, I worked with Guinea’s first neurosurgeon:
Prof. Kezely Luc Beavogui
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Thrilled to announce my 3 PhD papers are published, with a 4th under review! Huge thanks to my co-authors and PI Dr. Dawn Wetzel for their support over the past 6+ years.
Future PhDs: Embrace the journey, persevere, and celebrate small victories. Stay curious and passionate.
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You either use your story or your story uses you
Every time I come back to Guinea, I make it my mission to visit the place where my family lived once we left Sierra Leone.
Our family of 9 rented a one-bedroom in this small house for years before moving to the USA.
Grateful ❤️
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I'm thrilled to announce I am in Conakry, Guinea and Freetown, Sierra Leone for the next 3 weeks!
I'll be working with healthcare institutions to improve public health initiatives & supporting local business entrepreneurs in driving innovation and economic growth.
Let’s connect.
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8 years of hard work, dedication, and countless late nights are about to pay off as I prepare to walk across the stage for my MD-PhD commencement. Grateful for the support of family, friends and mentors!
Excited to celebrate this milestone! 🎓
#MDPhD
#Graduation
#MedTwitter
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I had a moment of reflection today
I really dreamt of this
This refugee
This immigrant
This poor kid from the hood
This first gen student
Here meeting with the biggest names in neurosurgery
Working to become a neurosurgeon-scientist
Couldn’t have written this story any better
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Every time I attend a conference, I remind myself that this isn’t normal + how much more should be invested for diversity & equity.
I can’t be the only black man with 3 black women and 4 Latinos in a room of 130+ attendees esp @ meetings for diseases affecting mostly our people
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After earning my MD-PhD, my mom said, 'Son, you've been blessed. Don’t forget to give back and help those in Guinea and Sierra Leone.' 🌍✨
Currently in the continent to build health, education and entrepreneurship collaborations that create lasting change! 🚀💪
#GlobalImpact
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Happy first year to my son Al-Qasim ❤️
Daddy loves you 🎊
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Cherishing every moment with my high school and college friends.
From our shared childhood memories in Harlem and Yonkers, we've built a foundation of grit and shared values.
We’ve always supported each other.
Now, we are residents:
Anesthesia x Orthopedics x Neurosurgery
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After 8 years, officially leaving Dallas, Texas this weekend for NYC!
Cant even begin to describe how this feel
True bitter sweet moment as I embark on the next phase of my journey
Thankful for all of the experiences and people I've met over the years
Excited for the next stage
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As I approach the conclusion of my 8th year in the MD-PhD program, I find myself reflecting on the achievements and experiences gathered throughout my medical school journey.
This is owed in large part to the invaluable mentorship and guidance I've been received along the way.
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Happy 2 year anniversary to my wife Binta and I ❤️
I’m thankful for you
I’m thankful for your love
I’m thankful for your support
I’m thankful for the peace & happiness you bring
I’m thankful for your positive energy
& I’m thankful for you providing us with a son
❤️
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Thrilled to join over 100 new neurosurgery residents at the Society of Neurological Surgeons’ Intern Boot Camp in Boston!
Excited for the chance to connect, collaborate, and learn from the best in the field.
Ready to embark on this incredible journey together!
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I am a product of PUBLIC schools ❤️
From Guinea to USA
All of my education has been in a public institution
From elementary, middle school, high school, college and even medical/graduate school: Public
Now, residency at NYU will be my first time within a private institution
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Every time i come to Guinea, i visit my childhood home.
After the war in Sierra Leone, its where we relocated after staying in the village for a year. Might not look much, but its where the grit was born.
It's where my 7 siblings and mom stayed for a decade in 1 bedroom together.
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Scary hours 🥶
May the odds forever be in your favor 🙏🏾✍🏾
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Wow, still I can’t believe this 🤲🏾
Umaru Barrie, PhD
To help me celebrate, please donate to my non-profit’s ongoing fund to renovate the emergency department of Conakry’s Ignace Deen Public Hospital. Thank you for supporting and helping Guinea.
Donate:
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This video was October 2016 and we had just received our white coats!
Can’t believe I am taking my last course of MD-PhD training
It’s been such an amazing last 8 years
So much accomplished
So much sacrified
I am grateful to be working towards becoming:
Umaru Barrie, MD, PhD
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Never have I been more excited about the future of healthcare and surgical access in Africa
We need local solutions for local issues
Thankful for the opportunity to be here in Ghana and working with stakeholders
PS: I need to learn Twi 😅
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On Sunday, I celebrated Eid in Conakry, my first time back for Eid since I left Guinea in 2002. It was an incredibly joyous occasion, filled with the warmth of family and loved ones. Every single moment was a treasure.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Eid with loved ones!
💖
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Grateful for the overwhelming support during this match season!
Thank you to everyone who reached out w/ comments, messages, and phone calls.
Your encouragement means the world to me and has truly made this journey memorable.
Feeling blessed to have such an amazing village ❤️
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Congratulations to our UT Southwestern Neurosurgery Research Group for having 23 abstracts accepted for presentation at the 2024 Congress of Neurological Surgery Annual Meeting.
Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and I am proud of your outstanding achievements.
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One of the best experiences thus far of medical school
Glad I was able to come to Ghana to work with these amazing neurosurgeons.
Building everlasting networks with African neurosurgeons and other healthcare providers to work together in solutions for the motherland.
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Celebrating another year of life today! 🎉
Grateful for all the experiences, lessons, and amazing people in my life. Cheers to another year of growth, love, and endless possibilities.
Thank you all for being a part of my journey!
Happy Birthday to me!
❤️🙏🏾
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Congratulations to all of our neurosurgery research group's presenters currently at AANS! Over the past years, we've worked tirelessly together, and now seeing each other in person for the first time adds a special touch to this achievement. Super proud of y'all! ❤️
#AANS2024
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After 5 months away, officially back to UT Southwestern Medical Center for my Neuro-ICU rotation ❤️
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Game time 😤.
July 25, 2022
Moments in time: PhD defense
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Excited to surpass my publication count from last year!
More than just numbers, it’s about the process—the curiosity, the deep dives into complex problems, & the constant learning along the way.
I’m grateful for the opportunities, the incredible teams and my collaborators.
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Unfortunately, 2 days ago, before my travels to Freetown, Sierra Leone, I was ambushed by a group of kids in Conakry with weapons. They robbed my phone but luckily, that was the only thing that happened. I am doing well.
I've made it to Freetown, SL, but wont be able to connect.
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After 7 and half years of medical and graduate school,
There’s 5 months left of this 🥺✍🏾
This guy shall be getting his MD and PhD, God willing 🙏🏾
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My little man
A year and 10 months later
Approaching the terrible twos
Love you kiddo
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Congratulations to my brother
@notinthemoud
for getting one step closer to his dream of being a neurosurgeon-scientist
UCSF Neurosurgery is lucky to have the most intelligent, hard working and consistent scholar in the game
So happy for you
So proud of you
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It is another great and exciting day to be here at University of Ghana Medical Centre.
Looking forward to a productive week of clinical duties, meetings and exploring research projects that could be done here.
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I asked a neurosurgeon here: why did you come back after training abroad for neurosurgery? Especially when most of your African colleagues either stayed or left for western nations
He said: because this is home. This is where I’m needed & whereelse can I speak Twi to my patients
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Year 8
Year 8 of 8
Officially an 8th year MD-PhDc
To every young person,
who may feel like their dreams are out of reach,
remember that your circumstances do not define you
Our stories matter,
Our dreams are valid,
And the world is waiting for us to make our mark
Year 8
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Can’t believe my son is now 2 years old
Happiest of birthdays ❤️🙏🏾
Daddy’s got you 👑
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Just a black boy from the hood shaking up the Physician-Scientist world
They never expect us to be good, so we will be GREAT!
Picture with my P.I.: Dr. Dawn M. Wetzel, MD, PhD @ The Biochemistry Department Retreat
Let’s GO 🔥
#MDPhD
#6thyear
#PhysicianScientist
#MedTwitter
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This past week, I had my PhD thesis committee meeting.
Afterwards, my committee chair said “start writing, and make plans towards the final meeting to discuss dissertation, conferences and completing the thesis”
This brought joy to me ❤️
#MDPhD
#MedTwitter
#ILookLikeaScientist
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Eid Mubarak ❤️
May this special day bring you joy, peace, and countless blessings.
Wishing you and your loved ones happiness and prosperity throughout the year.
🎉
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Can’t believe after 6 and half years of MD/PhD, I get to choose my career path this year
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I am still elated at our latest publication in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery on graduating medical student’s intention for
#neurosurgery
and
#underserved
communities.
Thankful for my team and mentors throughout this journey.
Check it out:
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After 8 years in Dallas, Texas
It is time to drive to NYC
This is bittersweet
Dallas has been home for the past 8 years
This is where the most meaningful moments of my life happened: the birth of my son
I’m forever grateful for my time here
I’ll miss you Dallas
Until next time ❤️
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Year 7
I am a 7th Year
#MDPhD
Candidate
The goal of becoming a physician-scientist is much closer
If I am asked whether I would do it all over again,
I would say YES!
And I do not mean that lightly
This great journey for the pursuit of knowledge and self-discovery
#MedTwitter
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It’s 4AM on the last day of Ramadan
We gather as a community to pray, eat and learn
Always a joyous time to be with the people
May the spirit of Ramadan continue to illuminate our paths, guiding us towards righteousness, compassion, and inner peace.
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Am I the only one who gets excited about CITATIONS?
My publications now have 37 citations!
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Congrats to the wife on completing her certified nurse assistant (CNA) program.
We picked up her certificate today as she starts working next month, with dreams of gaining experience in healthcare prior to applying for nursing school 🙌🏾
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Congratulations to our team on this landmark on a paper examining hydrocephalus in the continent with summary of > 100 articles. The meta-analysis also dives into detail highlighting ETV vs. VPS in Africa.
Proud of our team and thanks
@Darkolivin
for leading this effort!
#OnlineFirst
: Presentation, management, and outcomes of pediatric hydrocephalus in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12,355 patients.
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Late night thoughts
Can’t wait to write my autobiography in the future
From my family’s escape of civil war in Sierra Leone to journey as refugees in Guinea then finding my way through the obstacles of inner cities of NYC, then college to Medicine and Science ..To be continued
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My PhD graduation on May 18! EXCITED first generation scholar 🙏🏾
Albert Schweitzer Fellow, winner of the UT Southwestern Martin Luther King Jr. and MD-PhD, that’s me y’all 🙌🏾
Over the next two weeks, more than 300 graduating students will walk the stage, celebrating their educational milestones. Learn more about the graduates below.
#utswgrads
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When im at the library studying for surgery clerkship, and my son is on facetime during breaks ❤️
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