- J
My name is Jay Williams, and I am a 26 year old black queer trans man who just finished my Doctorate of Medicine at Howard University. I am the first person in my family to graduate from college.
I worked hard to do well in medical school to make sure I could achieve a career that will help support me and my family. Through hard work and with their support, I was able to graduate college and medical school.
Unfortunately, I was not accepted to residency. Without completing residency training, I cannot practice as a physician. I found a job in the HIV Testing and Prevention field and will be starting mid-June.
My landlord unexpectedly sold the apartment where I’ve lived for the past three years, which means I’ll have to move by July 1st. Thankfully, I will be able to save money on moving costs because my father and friends will be helping me. So I only need to fundraise for the following costs:
$1300 for month of June rent
$3000 for 1st and deposit for place to live
This will help me get established in my new apartment until I get my first paycheck.
As the oldest of 10 siblings from a low-income household, I don’t have access to the financial support that my peers receive. While other students in my program could rely upon money from their families to offset the costs associated with transitioning into their career, I have had to do those things on my own.
Growing up I experienced housing insecurity with my mother and siblings. I decided to become a physician while I was in a high school program for Black and Brown students who were interested in becoming medical professionals. I was inspired by a Black surgeon who made it feel possible to become a doctor.
It is essential that I become a doctor because black and brown communities have less cash and resources while experiencing the constant stress of systemic racism, which results in more illnesses.
There is a shortage of Black doctors: only 6% of doctors in the United States are Black. Black doctors are more likely to serve in Black communities, and contribute to improved health in those areas.
The process of trying to get medical care as a black trans person has shown me how many barriers to care exist for people like me. I want to be someone who removes those obstacles for other black trans people as well as women, other people of color, poor and working class folks, disabled and chronically ill people, and all those who experience medical oppression. Any support my community could provide me would be greatly appreciated and returned as soon as I start my career by paying forward to other black queer and trans people. Thank you so much for your help.
Warmly,
Jay Williams, M.D.
I worked hard to do well in medical school to make sure I could achieve a career that will help support me and my family. Through hard work and with their support, I was able to graduate college and medical school.
Unfortunately, I was not accepted to residency. Without completing residency training, I cannot practice as a physician. I found a job in the HIV Testing and Prevention field and will be starting mid-June.
My landlord unexpectedly sold the apartment where I’ve lived for the past three years, which means I’ll have to move by July 1st. Thankfully, I will be able to save money on moving costs because my father and friends will be helping me. So I only need to fundraise for the following costs:
$1300 for month of June rent
$3000 for 1st and deposit for place to live
This will help me get established in my new apartment until I get my first paycheck.
As the oldest of 10 siblings from a low-income household, I don’t have access to the financial support that my peers receive. While other students in my program could rely upon money from their families to offset the costs associated with transitioning into their career, I have had to do those things on my own.
Growing up I experienced housing insecurity with my mother and siblings. I decided to become a physician while I was in a high school program for Black and Brown students who were interested in becoming medical professionals. I was inspired by a Black surgeon who made it feel possible to become a doctor.
It is essential that I become a doctor because black and brown communities have less cash and resources while experiencing the constant stress of systemic racism, which results in more illnesses.
There is a shortage of Black doctors: only 6% of doctors in the United States are Black. Black doctors are more likely to serve in Black communities, and contribute to improved health in those areas.
The process of trying to get medical care as a black trans person has shown me how many barriers to care exist for people like me. I want to be someone who removes those obstacles for other black trans people as well as women, other people of color, poor and working class folks, disabled and chronically ill people, and all those who experience medical oppression. Any support my community could provide me would be greatly appreciated and returned as soon as I start my career by paying forward to other black queer and trans people. Thank you so much for your help.
Warmly,
Jay Williams, M.D.