We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aeryka Harvey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aeryka below.
Aeryka, 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?
I found my purpose by running from it for years.
That’s right!
I ran from any and everything to do with birth, pap smears and reproductive health for many years.
I’d always known that I wanted to be a physician since I was 7yrs old. I read Gifted Hands by Ben Carson at that age and it solidified the specialty I’d choose later in life.
Or so I thought!
After reading that book I’d devised a seamless plan to make excellent grades, go to college then medical school at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, study under Ben Carson’s tutelage somehow and TAKE. HIS. JOB as a pediatric neurosurgeon because I’m that girl who could do it.
Yes, I’ve always dreamed pretty big and boldly.
Fast forward to high school and I have to shadow in my chosen career field. I shadowed in general pediatrics with a local pediatrician during peak cold and flu season.
I realized then that pediatrics, general or any subspecialty was not for me because I hated seeing sick babies and helpless parents. It was too heart wrenching to watch.
I shadowed in cardiology which piqued my interest but wasn’t of great interest. Oncology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Neurology and just about every specialty you could think of including Opthalmology!
I avoided Obstetrics and Gynecology like the plague because my first pap smear was done by the devil’s little sister! I just didn’t think that was what God wanted for me, honestly. But I fell into it! I saw a myomectomy as a surgical technician and was hooked from then on.
I saw a c-section and lost my mind!
Then I became more and more interested in reproductive health as I grew and was learning more about my own reproductive health. I discovered that the maternal mortality rate for black women was ever rising and I wanted to do something about it even in high school.
Fast forward to college. I graduate and don’t make it to Johns Hopkins but interning for the NIH and taking all the deep dives in to maternal and child health and ultimately securing an MPH and THEN going to medical school-a DO school actually.
Then I became a full spectrum doula to experience a different side of birth work. It was then that I realized that I’d been a doula long before I became a certified one.
I realized that I enjoy teaching expectant parents about birthing and walking with them through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period from birth the more gentle doula side and the sometimes aggressive medical side.
Now walking a fine line between both worlds, I settle more and more into my purpose as a confidant, healer and space holder in the lives of expectant families. I’m glad I answered the call and I’m happy to keep answering daily.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a resident physician committed to helping change the fear surrounding birth by means of education and empowerment. I lean into childbirth education and preparation to help expectant families feel empowered and comfortable with advocacy and having agency within their own birthing space.
I’m most excited about growth and expansion! I’m in the process acquiring office space to be able to host monthly community childbirth education classes, birth and postpartum planning sessions and so much more.
I now offer baby registry consultations as well as nesting help so that families can prepare the home for their new baby love!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities that have been impactful to my journey are patience, optimism and consistency!
Patience is important because you can’t rush in this work. You have to take your time and be intentional in every aspect; from client interaction to back office matters.
Optimism is important because you have to not only find and see the bright side of many situations but you have to be mindful of your energy when it comes to clients.
Consistency is important because you can’t stay the same. You have to consistently grow and evolve in this work! You have to grow!
The advice I would give for those early in their journey is to understand that nothing will happen overnight, always find the glimmer of hope in the dark moments and commit yourself to learning and growing day after day, month after month, year after year.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I often revisit this book as a means of never forgetting my why and my motivation but at age 7 I read Gifted Hands by Ben Carson.
Ben Carson was determined to change his narrative and did so and became a leading pediatric neurosurgeon. The most impactful piece of wisdom has been to never lose your determination, faith and passion to accomplish your dreams and goals. No matter how long it takes or what the journey looks like, don’t give up. You will get there! Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.
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