We were lucky to catch up with Darrin Ward recently and have shared our conversation below.
Darrin, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience is a necessary trait in this field. In these last few years, I have had to stay determined and focused to prevail. As a pre-medical student, I worked as a neurofeedback tech, followed by attending classes at night while attaining my master’s degree in Biomedical Science. Due to health reasons, I had to become the caregiver to both of my parents, which contributed significantly to my resilience. My mother’s health had declined in 2017, and seeing her own strength in her daily fight was something that became ingrained in me. Before starting medical school, my father’s health also began to decline rapidly, and forced me to become the main provider for my family. My days consisted of going to work, school, ensuring my dad’s meals were prepared, taking him to appointments, and fulfilling my duties as a son. Taking care of my family during these challenging times prepared me for the rigors of medical school and fully understanding the depth of why it is so necessary to provide quality and competent health care.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am currently a first-year medical student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Outside of my pursuit to become a healthcare provider, I am on the Executive Board of the Coalition of Black Men Physicians, an organization striving to fulfill the mission of increasing the number of Black men in medicine. We have raised over $50,000 in philanthropic funds to further the organization’s mission.
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?
The three most impactful qualities on my journey were grit, optimism, and adaptability for the individuals just beginning their journey through medicine. My advice is to invest in yourself and build the confidence needed to withstand the adversity that will come with a career in the medical field. There will be many onlookers who will try to discourage you, sabotage you, and derail you from your goals. In this field, you can not allow the nay-sayers to dictate your decisions and plans. To be successful, it is necessary to surround yourself with peers and a support system that will help elevate you and provide genuine guidance. Physicians are leaders in the healthcare industry, and with great power comes great responsibility. It will also require sacrifice and an unwavering work ethic. Lastly, it is important to remember to appreciate and enjoy the journey: Take the time to be present and in the moment.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
One of the most impactful things my parents did was make me join the swim team at the local YMCA. I was six years old at the time, and I had just learned how to swim the year before. Being on the swim team was an unpleasant experience for me. I wanted to quit the second I started, however, my parents didn’t allow me to. As time went on, I found joy in learning the different strokes of swimming. The skill of swimming stayed with me. After completing swim season, I never joined the swim team again. Although swimming was not for me, it taught me that once you begin a task, you should complete it. Sometimes in life, we do things we don’t want to do, but the benefit or skill learned after completing the task is worth the effort.
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