We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Stacey Eadie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Stacey, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
How did you find your purpose?
An eight year old girl uniquely discovered an awakening of her purpose of life to heal and save lives after overcoming a few traumatic experiences that would require her own resilience to stay alive and thrive. At birth she was separated from her mother and transported to another hospital with highest surgical acuity to repair a life threatening birth defect that herniated her intestines to the outside of her abdomen. Her physicians were amazed of her survival of the operation that in that era carried a one in eight chance of survival. While fighting for her life, she beat the odds by mastering her independent nutrition and excretion. Despite the increased mortality in black infants, research has proven that Black female infants in the NICU have the highest rate of survival. And this example is proof of those statistics.
By six years old, my world would now take a drastic turn when my mother’s existence in my life would be extinguished by cancer. Switching schools and households three times in two years would add to my accumulated adverse childhood experiences that lead me to the path of medicine and healing. I found that my self reward in academic achievements distracted me from focussing on the fracture in my family foundation. The love and support from my family gave me security. My father used every opportunity to uplift my self esteem and demolish my feelings of imposter syndrome that was compounded with my tendencies of extreme shyness. He kept me on the road of purpose by purchasing me a stethoscope and science kit and introducing me to every physician as his daughter who would be a physician as well someday. My focus of becoming a physician would dictate my choice of schools, search of summer internships/ volunteer opportunities, and friendship alliances.
I am a board certified Pediatrician, practicing for over twenty years and a private practice owner for over thirteen years. Fulfilling my dream of owning my own practice allows me to offer employment opportunities to underrepresented persons and advisory to aspiring entrepreneurs. And never forgetting the disparity of minority physicians at 2%, healthcare career coaching is my way of giving back.
Along my journey of being raised in a household of males with my brother and father, I experience an inner awakening of the differences of the jagged path that Black males must follow in order to avoid the land mines. To arrive to his destiny successfully is complex and must be well calculated. I absorbed the unique differences in my father’s technique of raising my brother and I. I listened intensely to advice given to male mentees and family members he advised. I found that making myself accessible to younger male cousins and discussing potential foreseen dangers gave me a sense of fulfillment. By middle school I became aware of the brilliance of my Black male peers. However, attending an all female high school would leave college, medical school, and residency as the next time I shared classrooms with Black males. It bothered me as I witnessed the numbers of Black males shrinking drastically as I ascended higher in education. Tragically during this time, I would lose three cherished males to violence. Each of them loss their life soon after graduating high school as they were discovering potential career paths. I needed answers to what adversities young Black males face that led them into critical places with little or no return. Questions like, What strategies and resources could be developed to combat the barriers to equal education, racial discrimination, and access to healthcare haunted me.
During pregnancy of my first born, thoughts of fear and anxiety overwhelmed me as I recounted all the unanswered questions of the fate of Black males in America. Plotting out strategies for each inequity that could sabotage his success. Giving emphasis to his education, brotherhood, positioning for his future financial wealth, keeping up with his health and wellness, and training his mind to assure the safety of his body.
After having transparent conversations with other mothers of Black sons, I became aware of the silent suffering of generations of mothers as they reflect on the many televised stories of tragedy and witness denied opportunities of endeared Black males. My passion for the topic would lead to the writing of Maternal Instinct Raising Black Sons To Thrive. The writing of this manuscript channelled my fears and forced me to reconcile with my pain that often times I was not granted sensible answers to bring self peace. My mission to position Maternal Instinct Raising Black Sons To Thrive in the hands of mothers, guardians, grandmothers, social workers, educators, healthcare workers, media outlets, and civil rights lawyers in order to initiate conversations that produce a blueprint for our sons thus repairing future generations of Black families. “The Catalyst” is intended to unravel unspoken fears of mothers of Black sons, unveil the intentions of systemic racism that keep sons powerless, and develop strategic paths to assure his prosperity.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Self-determined, persistent, compassionate
I advised those starting out their journey to set your own pace and stay in your lane. Be authentic to your qualities and purpose. Give yourself and others grace. Self reflect and recognize all the talents and unique experiences God presented in your life and use your growth to bless someone else. Always give back more than you were given.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my father did for me was to believe in me and my dreams. Affirm the possibility and plant an entrepreneurial seed of how I could take my dream to the next level. Most importantly teaching me sincere love and always saying “I love you”.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pedsinapod.net
- Instagram: Maternalinstinctthebook
- Facebook: maternal Instinct
Image Credits
All photos except white coat Dymond Scoby Stellar Photography Photo with white lab coat Lydia Kearney Carlis C-Suite pics Digital advertisement Michele Rouse
