Today we’d like to introduce you to Nandi Ramirez.
Hi Nandi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since my Junior year of high school, I knew I was interested in studying medicine. After graduating from Agnes Scott College, I returned to my alma mater to complete an additional year of upper-level science courses. Contemplating which medical profession I wanted to pursue, I decided to keep my options open and took various additional pre-requisites at Georgia State University (GSU).
After two and a half years of taking pre-requisites at GSU, one of my classmates encouraged me to apply to the Accelerated Dual Bachelor of Science in Nursing + Master of Science in Nursing program at Emory University. I took a leap of faith and applied for early admission, and was accepted. I am currently in the last semester of the BSN portion of the program and anticipate obtaining the degree on August 7, 2021. And in the Fall of 2021, I enter the Master of Science in Nursing portion of the program.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In college, I attended a PWI and found myself encountering many obstacles along the way. From being in science classes taught by predominantly white males to rigorous upper-level science courses with not many students who looked like me, as a result, I often got discouraged. I took years of science courses, the GRE and MCAT test prep courses, applied to various medical profession programs, and received rejections along the way. However, I never took my eyes off the prize. I knew I wanted to work in the medical field, so I did not give up. I just had to find strength within myself to believe that I was more than worthy and capable of achieving my goals.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Noire Medical Women, LLC is a brand dedicated to inspiring and promoting black women of all ethnicities in medicine. One day I reflected on my journey and realized that from college up to the point of my acceptance into the Emory program, there was only one science professor who happened to teach physics, who told me, “You can do this!” I now feel lucky in a sense because I know that there are some black women pursuing medicine that may never hear those words.
My brand sells merchandise such as mugs and keychains that display images of black women in the medical profession. Every time someone uses one of my products, I hope they see themselves in the images exuding confidence, intelligence, competence, beauty, and success. And, if they do not hear it from anyone else, my brand must remind black women in medicine that they are valuable and indispensable.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
As a child, I loved going to the pediatrician’s office. I enjoyed everything about the visits. I liked playing with the toys in the waiting room and getting rewards, like stickers, after receiving my vaccinations. But, most importantly, I admired my pediatrician, who always took the time to ask me about how I was doing in school and who would even go out of her way to call my mom personally to check in on me if I was sick. I remember begging her to allow me to remain a patient until I finished high school. She was amazing and having that positive experience with someone who looked like me and of that stature motivated me to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Pricing:
- Mugs: $14.95
- Keychains: $16.95
- Collections: $29.00
Contact Info:
- Email: noiremedicalwomen@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.noiremedicalwomen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noiremedicalwomen/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noiremedicalwomen/
Image Credits
Darius Walls Armanko Kouchak
