Go Red Multicultural Scholarship Fund Recipient – Janelle Amoako

Calling all Nurses! We had the opportunity to speak with University Of Rhode Island nursing student, Janelle Amoako about her scholarship prize and interest to go into the healthcare field. We call this compassion at its best! For serving others [in or out] of a career shows true compassion!

TL: You are the 2012 Go Red Multicultural Scholarship recipient. How do you feel about receiving this scholarship and its association with the campaign?

JA: Winning this scholarship has opened doors for me talking to THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION here in Rhode Island whereas before winning, I had no contact with them. I have also been able to sit in on a couple of meetings to find out what I can possibly do within the organization which is really exciting!

TL: The Go Red for Women campaign is important in bringing attention to heart disease and stroke awareness and so we imagine that you are excited to receive such an honor, so congratulations on that!

JA: Thank you!

AL: You traveled to Guatemala at the age of 14 on a mission trip but it was your trip to Ghana, West Africa in 2008  that garnered your career choice into medicine.  How so? Please share with us your experience.

JA: My trip to Ghana cemented my choice to go into the healthcare field however, prior to my trip I was already working in a local hospital and had been doing so since my freshmen year and continued working through my junior year.  I pretty much knew then I wanted to serve in the field of healthcare. The Ghana experience deepened my global mindset whereas before I was interested in the public health aspect but not globally. Experiences with Guatemala and my own home country Ghana, really opened my eyes to how much I wanted help the people there.

AL: You currently are studying to become a nurse practitioner. Observing your peers or schools abroad, would you say that there is still an interest in women wanting to become doctors or nurse practitioners?

JA: Really good question! I think there are a lot of women out there looking to join the healthcare field. It kind of goes back to the foundational basis. A lot of people look at it from a minority aspect and they don’t get the credit or encouragement they need to move on to pursue such high standards. Among my own campus, I feel like that is something that is there [in place] as I do see women stepping up to pursue careers in healthcare. I actually feel the bigger issue is really having the determination and perseverance to stick through it.

AL: That’s great that you are able to share your experience based upon your observation as a student on campus and from the perspective of an aspiring healthcare leader.

TL: After the eight, ten or twelve years (Whew!) it takes to complete a medical degree <laughs> what contribution [s] do you hope to bring to the medical field?

JA: I would say that I don’t ever want to stop learning. What’s fascinating about the healthcare field is that I don’t feel that you ever stop learning in a sense because you are dealing with patients from so many different backgrounds. To answer your question, I have that passion to learn and I want to learn. I want to know more about my patients. I want to know how much more I can do for them.

TL: You are planning a career where you will take care of others but what does Janelle do to take care of self, what do you  like to do in your down time?

JA: I will be very honest, I am the worst person when it comes to downtime but when I do I am always with my family. My family is my rock but I also spend time with friends and things like getting my nails done or just going to the movies…anything that gets your mind in a place to relax. It’s really hard to relax when you are busy [takes a deep breath]. There are times I have to force myself to slow down, sit down, chew my food… you get what I am saying <laughs>.  I am a work in progress when it comes to the balancing act.

TL: <laughs> I believe we all are.

AL: As the recipient of the Go Red Multicultural Scholarship Fund, what advice would you give to other students in regards to funding their education, particularly those wanting to go into the medical field. What part of the scholarship process you can share?

JA: I began applying for scholarships my sophomore year of high school and this is the first scholarship I have won so you can imagine how amazing that felt! I was very excited especially given the amount of the scholarship, it was a nice chunk of change <laughs>.  The first advice I would give anyone is don’t give up, I meet so many people who tell me that they apply for scholarships but never win. Also there are some great federal resources out there such as HRSA http://www.hrsa.gov/index.html and MRC https://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/HomePage. I feel these two resources are a great starting place because there is information on loans and building work experience pre and post university life.

AL: Thank you for providing those resources!

JA: No problem.

AL&TL: Janelle it has been wonderful speaking with you. Thank you for taking the time out to interview because we know that you are very busy with classes and your studies <smiles>.We wish you continued success in the healthcare field.

JA: [notion of smile] Yes! I am always busy with classes and my studies. Thank you for the interview!

AL&TL: Bye!

JA: Bye!

For more information about THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION please visit: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/