Help Justa Become a Physician for the Underserved Community

Dear Community, Friends, and Family,

My name is Justa Ferguson, and I’m sharing this GoFundMe and news with a mixture of emotions; excitement, fear, hope and humility . I've been accepted to Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and will begin this August 2025.

Brief-Summary/Introduction

My journey to medicine began after my family moved from Ghana to Santa Cruz, California, when I was 11 years old. Starting a new life in a new country was challenging, but it also opened doors to opportunities I never imagined. While shadowing my mother at her caregiving job, I eventually began working as an in-home support caregiver for elderly community members, which opened my eyes to the gaps in healthcare for aging and underserved communities. Due to this exposure, I was inspired to become someone who could advocate for their needs in the healthcare field.

Now, I’ve been accepted to an out-of-state medical school with the estimated cost of my first year being nearly $98,000, which is quite overwhelming. While I plan to take out student loans to cover tuition, I’m seeking your support to help cover essential living expenses and reduce the debt I will incur.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will not only support my education, but it will empower me to continue this journey of becoming someone who can serve the aging and underserved with care, dignity, and compassion.

My Story

I moved from Ghana to Santa Cruz, California, with my parents and two younger brothers when I was 11 years old. As I adjusted to a new life, I found purpose in caring for others, especially for the elderly. In middle school, I began volunteering at retirement communities, where I noticed how many residents lacked consistent care and connection. These early experiences planted the seed that would grow into a passion for medicine.

By high school, I was working as a caregiver, shadowing physicians, and participating in community events such as being a student speaker for Santa Cruz’s First MLK "I Have a Dream" March (some of you might recognize this iconic photo of me down below). These experiences committed me to the profession of a physician and taught me the value and power in speaking up for others, leadership to achieve goals, and advocacy to make a small or big difference.

In particular, my interaction with healthcare professionals, from doctors and nurses to social workers, helped me manage my asthma attacks. Despite the health costs and challenges, it made me want to become an advocate and to one day provide a holistic form of care to those who feel overlooked.

Education and Commitment

I graduated from high school as a valedictorian and completed my Bachelor’s in Human Biology with a Minor in Public Health at the University of California, Davis. Through my undergraduate years, I worked as a food server, shift lead, and research assistant to make ends meet. Outside of class, I was dedicated to my commitment to healthcare as I volunteered with a student-run clinic to provide health and educational resources to a predominantly Black community in Sacramento. As I learned about the healthcare barriers and inequities they faced, it strengthened my resolve to be part of the 5.7% Black physicians in the U.S in providing equitable care to patients of all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds

After graduation, I returned to serving elderly patients in nursing homes as a CNA. I studied for the MCAT (an 8hr medical school entry exam) while working full-time and saving for study materials and application fees. I faced another hurdle of finding a quiet place to study, but with the support of my local church, I was provided a space, which helped me achieve the score I needed to apply.

Now, I’ve been accepted to an out-of-state medical school, but the financial burden feels overwhelming.

Why I’m Asking for Help

The estimated first-year cost of attendance is around $98,000. This includes tuition, housing, exam fees, school supplies, and basic living expenses. Most medical students graduate with $200,000–$300,000 in debt. Though I plan to take out student loans, I’m hoping to raise as much support to cover basic living expenses and reduce the financial pressure so I can focus on learning, growing, and excelling.

Your donation, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to my path in medicine. You’ll not only be supporting my dream, but the future patients I’ll serve.

Other Ways to Help

If you’re unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, or social networks. Every bit of support brings me closer to becoming the kind of doctor I aspire to be, which is someone who listens, learns, and serves with their heart.

Thank you for being part of my journey. I’m deeply grateful for any support you can offer, and most importantly, to my community that has brought me this far, whether financially, through words of encouragement, prayers, or hugs. With your help, I’ll keep moving forward and give back tenfold as the doctor I aspire to be.

With gratitude,

Justa Ferguson

From Your Future Medical Doctor