Leadership by Goodness

Leadership by Goodness - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

To me, leadership embodies a blend of vision, empathy, resilience, and action. It means having a clear direction, understanding, and empathizing with those you lead, being resilient in the face of challenges, and decisively acting to effect positive change. Dr. Tanya Trippett, the President of the Eugène Gasana Jr. Foundation and a Board Certified Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist practicing at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, epitomizes leadership in my life.

Dr. Trippett's leadership extends far beyond her medical expertise. It encompasses her fervent dedication to addressing health disparities and her unwavering commitment to effecting tangible changes in underserved communities. Through her exemplary work and mentorship, she has demonstrated a profound dedication to improving outcomes for children battling cancer, particularly in regions like Ghana where healthcare resources are scarce.

Her leadership is evident in her proactive approach to research and advocacy. By collaborating with individuals like myself who share her vision for change, Dr. Trippett fosters a culture of teamwork and innovation. She empowers those around her to take ownership of their work and strive for excellence in all endeavors.

Furthermore, Dr. Trippett's leadership is characterized by her ability to inspire others through both her actions and words. Following my firsthand experience of healthcare disparities during a medical mission in my ancestral Nigerian village, I felt a deep desire to effect change but lacked direction until encountering Dr. Trippett. Through her mentorship, I engaged in research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, delving into the disparities associated with poor outcomes of childhood cancer in Ghana. Together with Dr. Trippett, I poured myself into our work and was eager to share our findings at a National Research Conference. The sobering statistic I presented, "1 in every 10 children born in sub-Saharan Africa doesn’t live to see their 5th birthday," underscored the urgent need for solutions. Dr. Trippett's guidance illuminated the pivotal role physicians play in identifying and addressing such disparities, solidifying my commitment to follow suit as a physician.

Most notably, Dr. Trippett leads by example. Her involvement in initiatives such as building a pediatric cancer hospital in Ghana exemplifies her dedication to translating knowledge into actionable solutions. Through tireless advocacy and hands-on involvement, she showcases that genuine leadership transcends mere rhetoric—it necessitates concrete steps to enact meaningful change.

In essence, Dr. Tanya Trippett epitomizes the type of leadership that transcends boundaries and transforms communities. Her steadfast dedication to addressing health disparities serves as a beacon of inspiration for all fortunate enough to collaborate with her.