A career of care and purpose

Two significant influences sparked my journey into medicine, beginning with my upbringing under the care of my maternal grandparents. My grandfather used to pick up my sister and me from school, and we’d spend the afternoons at my grandparents’ house until our parents got home from work. We’d play, do our homework, and enjoy delicious dinners prepared by my grandmother, who was an incredible cook. Notably, my grandfather, whose motto was, “Read everything,” had a built-in bookshelf where he kept his encyclopedias in the same room where my sister and I did our homework and played. I can’t help but smile as I think about this because once upon a time, people used to have encyclopedias in their home instead of the World Wide Web. And these happened to be health encyclopedias, so I would crack them open and just find myself immersed in those books. This early exposure ignited my curiosity about health and the human body.

Another pivotal moment came during my childhood at Thanksgiving when my mom accidentally knocked a large knife off the kitchen counter, and it stabbed her in the foot. I vividly recall feeling worried and helpless as we rushed to the hospital. But then I witnessed the skilled care she received, and when we went home, the fear and uncertainty I felt had dissipated. It made me realize the incredible power of medicine to bring relief and restore well-being—to patients and their loved ones. 

As the first physician in my family, and with my sister and I being the first traditional college students, this milestone holds deep significance. My parents, both of whom demonstrated remarkable dedication and intellect, played a crucial role in nurturing my love for learning. My mom’s long-standing career with the Department of State and my dad’s decision to pursue higher education while I was in junior high and high school taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Their unwavering work ethic and support fostered an environment where education was deeply valued. My interest in health, sparked by early access to those encyclopedias and that pivotal incident involving my mom, flourished because of the strong foundation my parents laid for me.

I credit that in part to my high school guidance counselor, Ms. Betty Jo Scott. She is the one who encouraged me to apply for Project Excellence, a program aimed at combating negative peer pressure faced by exceptional Black students and recognizing high-achieving Black seniors in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for their academic excellence, writing, and speaking skills. As a Project Excellence scholar, I had the opportunity to choose from several partner colleges, and there were a few things I knew for certain. Like many teens, I wanted to leave home, but I also wanted a smaller, close-knit environment and didn’t want to venture too far from my home in College Park, Maryland.

Like all Lafayette students, I was a strong scholar. I ended up graduating valedictorian of my high school class and was fortunate to receive a full-tuition Project Excellence scholarship, which solidified my decision to attend Lafayette. Beyond the scholarship, I was drawn to Lafayette’s beautiful campus and the opportunities it offered. While I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in, I had always planned to pursue medical school. I chose neuroscience, an emerging field at the time, in my sophomore year.

One of them is Prof. Stephen Lammers (Helen H.P. Manson Professor Emeritus/Religious Studies) and the course I took with him in my first year, “Myths of Masculinity.” The course was very interesting, unlike anything I had ever been exposed to before, diving deep into common archetypes that have echoed throughout history. What I enjoyed most, though, was Professor Lammers’ brilliant mind—his unique way of thinking and the engaging, thoughtful manner in which he conducted the class. Our personal dialogues during office hours were especially invigorating, sparking new ideas and perspectives. When someone I admired so much told me I was a good thinker, it felt like an incredible compliment. That affirmation motivated me in a profound way, leaving a lasting impact on both my confidence and my intellectual growth.

The other experiences that shaped me included a 2004 summer interim abroad in London, England, to examine the challenges of healthcare by comparing the systems in the U.S. and the U.K. This trip was led by Prof. Lammers and Prof. Charles Holliday. It included an internship for each student. Mine was at a women’s domestic violence refuge that housed 10 women and their children. At the time, I was 19 years old. One of the women there was my same age. Nineteen. Nineteen! That was definitely a life-changing experience because it was there that I really developed a passion and a deep interest in women’s health and children’s health. That experience became so important to me as a clinician, to concern myself with the environments my patients come from, and to really have an understanding of the factors that tie into whether or not they can lead a healthy existence.

The next study abroad experience was in fall 2004 for the entire semester when I went to Ghana with my absolute favorite Lafayette professor, Rexford Ahene (professor emeritus of economics). For those who know him, they understand what an outstanding educator and wonderful human being he is. Even now, I feel richly blessed, and my heart bursts with gratitude for the opportunity to have had such an immersive experience under his tutelage. When I arrived in Ghana, I felt an immediate and overwhelming sense of home and peace, despite never having been there before. This trip was profoundly important to me, not only for the beautiful connections I made but also for how it shaped my identity as a Black American. It was deeply transformative in ways that continue to resonate with me, and to this day, Ghana remains one of my favorite places on earth. Academically, it was also my best semester—I made the dean’s list, which was the perfect way to cap off such a meaningful experience.

Then came my relationship with Prof. Elaine Reynolds (professor of biology). She was pivotal because she taught many of the key courses I needed as I advanced into my neuroscience major. I have a lot of respect for her zeal for research and dedication to advancing the field. One of my most memorable experiences with her was in one of her labs where we performed stereotactic brain surgery on a baby chick. It was absolutely fascinating.

My decision to major in neuroscience was deeply personal. The same grandfather who picked my sister and me up from school and encouraged us to read—he developed dementia while I was still in high school. By the end of my first semester at Lafayette, he passed away. I was 18, and his death was the first significant loss I had experienced. It was challenging, being away from home and away from family as I grieved. It was also challenging reckoning with how ugly dementia is. Dementia is hard. It’s heartbreaking. Today, there’s more awareness, but back then, it was surrounded by a lot of silent suffering, both for patients and their families. Not long after, my great uncle—my grandfather’s brother—was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Watching both of them endure these neurodegenerative conditions sparked my interest in neurology and neuroscience. After Lafayette, I interned at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, where I worked on a project examining the impact of pharmacogenomics on the efficacy and safety of Alzheimer’s treatments. Contributing to that research was incredibly meaningful to me. But even with my passion for neuroscience, my heart was always with children and helping families, which is why I ultimately chose pediatrics.

I started Cary Cares Parenting LLC in 2020, during a time when the world felt completely upended by COVID-19. Like many parents, I was struggling with the sudden lack of support. Babysitters, date nights, or even just a break—everything had changed, and I realized just how isolating parenting could be without a village. The challenges of managing a household, keeping my son engaged, and dealing with the emotional strain of the pandemic made me acutely aware of the pressures many parents were facing. That was the catalyst for launching Cary Cares Parenting.

As a pediatrician with expertise in child development, I bring a unique perspective to my work. My medical background allows me to understand not only the physical and developmental needs of children but also the emotional and psychological aspects that influence family dynamics. The idea behind Cary Cares is rooted in the belief that parenting is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles in life, but it doesn’t have to be done in isolation. The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” resonates deeply with me. I knew I wanted to help parents navigate their journey by providing an extended village with practical, compassionate guidance, evidence-based insights, client anecdotes, and tailored strategies. I’ve always believed that raising children is not just about shaping their future but also about fostering growth in ourselves as caregivers. I challenge conventional methods and encourage a shift toward conscious parenting—where deep connections are cultivated in a way that honors the authenticity and complexity of each individual participating in the relationship. That, to me, is the epitome of health. Cary Cares provides parents with the tools they need to increase their self-awareness, parent with intentionality, and find what works best for their unique family dynamics. At Cary Cares, my goal is to transform lives for generations.

As a pediatrician, I’ve long been interested in childhood obesity, a topic I explored early in my career by writing an article for the American Academy of Pediatrics while still in medical school. Occasionally, I’ve noticed that some people tend to be indifferent toward childhood obesity, often due to the misconception that children are automatically healthy regardless of their body type. However, this isn’t always true. More and more, children are experiencing complications once thought to affect only adults, such as hypertension, diabetes, and other metabolic disturbances. 

The causes of obesity are complex, involving genetic, biological, behavioral, and cultural factors, and addressing it requires an equally nuanced approach. Compounding the issue is society’s perception of body image and how we treat individuals who are overweight or obese, so those sensitivities cannot be ignored. Ultimately, childhood obesity is a multifactorial medical condition that demands a multifactorial solution to ensure that today’s children grow into healthy adults.

Another key area of interest for me, both professionally and personally, is autism spectrum disorder, as my own son has autism. The research in this field is emerging, but there is still so much to uncover in understanding and supporting children on the spectrum.

My other interest is medical cannabis and its use in cancer pain, neurological disorders like epilepsy, and other clinical conditions as well. It highlights the intersectionality of health and stigma, and for me, serves as a reminder to not demonize people for seeking solutions that help them or help their loved ones.

For students considering a career in pediatrics, my first piece of advice is to follow your passion. If pediatrics excites you, pursue it wholeheartedly. That said, it’s important to understand the reality: Compared to other specialties, pediatricians are often underpaid, undersupplied, undervalued, and overworked. I think it’s an unfortunate reflection of societal values and what we are and are not willing to invest in. Despite this, I have no regrets—I LOVE being a pediatrician and know the work I do is vital to my community.

In today’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape, I also encourage students to develop skills beyond direct patient care. My clinical work is complemented by my expertise in clinical informatics and change management. I’ve led initiatives in electronic health record deployment and health IT for the Defense Health Agency. As a consultant, I played a key role in establishing stakeholder engagement programs and implementing knowledge management systems, impacting over 150,000 end-users for the Military Health System. Additionally, I completed a physician executive leadership program with the Xcel Leadership Institute because I recognize that ensuring humanism in healthcare requires a physician’s perspective at the leadership table, especially as nonclinical administrators increasingly influence decisions affecting patient care. My advice is to cultivate transferable skills, continuously seek out new learning opportunities, and identify the potential in the talents you already have. This approach will not only make you a better physician but also empower you to drive meaningful change in the healthcare system.