Alumni Spotlight: Chuck
Originally Published December 3, 2018
Chukwumamkpam “Chuck” Uzoegwu was an international student at USC from Nigeria and was a 4th grade YSP TA at Weemes Elementary from 2012-2015. Since graduating from USC he has begun medical school at Case Western Reserve University. We asked Chuck to speak about his time with YSP and how it helped prepare him for medical school and his future career as a doctor, this is what he had to say:
The Young Scientist Program has been integral part of my journey to becoming a caring physician. I was fortunate enough to have been placed in Weemes Elementary School for my three years with YSP. Each week presented opportunities for growth through reflection and innovation. I learned to reflect on improvements I could make towards becoming a more effective instructor and improved my time management in the dynamic classroom environment. I was also afforded the opportunity to try new teacher methods and develop innovative lesson plans.
Along the way, I learned so much from the students. I learned to the importance of personal connection. Though the science was at the center of our interactions, I believed the students valued the time we spent together above all else. Perhaps that was why they always gave me a friendly greeting and wave whenever they saw me biking through the neighborhood. And that feeling was mutual, as I grew to value the relationships I developed with the staff, the teachers, and the students at Weemes Elementary School.
Participating in YSP has also made me a more engaged citizen, as my experiences offered the opportunity to learn about some of the social inequities facing our country. It was not always comfortable, but my experiences have significantly contributed to my views on social justice and equity.
Ultimately, the lessons I learned from participating in the Young Scientist Program have been beneficial in my first year of medical school. Indeed, the first block at my medical school was dedicated to learning about social inequities and their impact on a population’s health. But beyond that, the lessons about the value of the human connection carried over into medicine as well. Each physical diagnosis session, our medical school class is reminded of the importance of treating the mind as well as the body, and making a personal connection with the patient along way. Lastly, reflection has been an integral part of my medical education, and will continue to be an integral part of my education, as I am expected to write a reflection on each of my experiences throughout my time in medical school.
I have been exceedingly fortunate to have participated in the Young Scientist Program and believe it has played a huge role in bringing me to where I am today.