Story of Chris Anderson

“Remain hungry and humble” This means to set out and achieve your goals but the same time show humility while being appreciative of what you have.

Chris, Medical Class of 2021, GEMS Class of 2016-2017

Hello, My name is Chris a first-generation Jamaican American. I was born in Orlando, Florida to a working class family in which I am the youngest. I love sports especially basketball. I am a very social and outgoing individual who enjoys connecting with different people. I grew up in Carver Shores, a neighborhood that was tough and rife with crime, poverty, and drugs. I was faced with many adversities such as not having proper guidance when it came to my academics. Seeing how the community needs achievers; I want to design a scholarship for children who grew up in my neighborhood with the intention of pursing a higher education. I want the students to feel motivated to pursue a better life for themselves. In addition, realizing that my neighborhood’s clinic has a lack of interest and care for patients; I want to reform community clinics so that low-income individuals can receive quality health care.

My higher education consists of both community college and four-year University studies. In the beginning years, I attended community college. I was only able to be a part-time student as I worked full-time while in attendance. Then, I transferred to Florida State University in Tallahassee and graduated two years later with a Bachelor’s of Biological Science. After graduating, I took a gap year and worked many different jobs. During the gap year, I was a scribe in the midst of medicine in which I truly learned from doctors, physician assistants, and nurses about the details of healthcare. In addition to being a scribe, I helped my father with busy work and taxes so he could have more time to rest. What motivates me to succeed are my family and friends who cheer me on to accomplish this prestigious career of being a doctor. My father instilled in me a saying that I live by and that is to “remain hungry and humble.” This means to set out and achieve your goals but at the same time show humility while being appreciative of what you have.

 Once I was accepted into GEMS, I knew this would be one of the hardest years of my life. I was swarmed with endless challenges and in order to cope, I had to change my study plan. I became more inquisitive and more proactive in my learning. I had to practice what I learned and not just to remember it, but to actually understand what I was learning. While being in the GEMS program, I have made new friends that I can relate to and who push me to be a better student. Meeting Dean Taylor and GEMS alumni who return to share their story has been the best experience within this program. Dean Taylor has so much wisdom and always knows what to say at the right times. Furthermore, he is a role model for me and many others in this program. GEMS alumni who started out just like me and are now great physicians in their respective fields inspire me to be just as great. I plan to work hard so that I may stay here in the Georgetown area for years to come. I want to carry on the tradition by returning to Georgetown to share my own story to future GEMS students who have the same motivation to become a compassionate physician. My advice to those pursuing a career in medicine is to stay persistent and to pursue the medical profession to truly help others.