Neonatal Education Beyond the Hospital by Joi

Neonatal Education Beyond the Hospital by Joi - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

I am passionate about the foundational education for children and the self-care development of minority women as it relates to prenatal health and infant care. This passion heightened during my academic studies in our school’s Health Science Academy as we learned more about the importance of equality in healthcare. During our studies and research, we learned that minority women are at a greater risk for certain health challenges. Therefore, they, along with people from all backgrounds, should be able to obtain quality prenatal education and have access to quality care and healthcare facilities. We had the privilege of working in such facilities through our participation as Gardendale High School Health Science Interns in local medical offices. We also worked in the field conducting health screenings for children in minority communities.

Recent data finds that African American and Hispanic minorities are more likely to deliver premature babies at a rate of 16%-18% as opposed to the 7% rate for Caucasians. Therefore, it is important that we focus both on the excellent care provided to children at birth, as well as preventative measures like ones that ensure that minorities receive prenatal health education and have prenatal support programs. Also given those statistics, I believe it is crucial for minority
women to understand their bodies and how environmental, socio-economic, as well as diet and exercise factors affect their health and the health of their unborn child.

My desire is to provide exceptional care for mothers and children, to educate children at a young age, and to partner with parents to best prevent the irreversible negative outcomes that can occur without proper prenatal education and early development childcare. As a student studying Biomedical Engineering in pursuit of a degree in Neonatology, I would also partner in communities to ensure that early learning began for children through progressive, hands-on STEM learning centers in their communities and in their schools. These learning centers would consist of both first-class equipment for hands-on learning and a mentoring program designed to support the children throughout their adolescent years.

While education and mentorship are vitally important, patients’ experiences inside medical facilities matter as well. When they pass the hospital doors, they need to know that the medical staff has their best interest in mind. This is why I would encourage Cultural Sensitivity training within the hospital that teaches staff to serve diverse populations, specifically minority women and children. The mission of my community outreach and hospital staff training would not be to force my views or condemn individuals for the choices they have made, but to make sure all people have equal access to knowledge and information regarding their health. In the 21st
century, minority women and children should have access to life-saving health education and facilities, and my goal is to partner in communities and in the field of medicine to provide such opportunities.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support through this scholarship to help fund my education in pursuit of these goals.