M.D. Student Kamron Robinson Selected by White House as 2018 HBCU Competitive Scholar
Kamron Robinson sits back in his chair and laughs. He laughs as though he is in disbelief of all that he has achieved so far. From a young boy growing up in Florissant, Missouri—not far from the riots in Ferguson just a few years back. Now just two years away from becoming a doctor, the Morehouse School of Medicine student was recently recognized by the White House for all his hard work in the classroom.
“Everyone who knows me knows I’m a talker,” said the second-year M.D. student. “When I found out, I was speechless! I didn’t comprehend that. This is the biggest honor I’ve ever received.”
This fall, Robinson was selected to represent his home state of Missouri as one of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and University 2018 HBCU Competitive Scholars. He was one of 63 students selected from 54 HBCUs, and the only medical student selected to receive the initiative’s highest recognition this year. A recognition that has been given out since the 1980’s.
At just 16 years old, Robinson knew he would one day come to MSM. His desire to become a doctor and help people was sparked by the tragic passing of his cousin Karee from a rare lung disease. She was just seven years old.
“I’ll always remember the physicians who treated her, treated her like family. They prayed with us, they would bow their heads. I remember every time she was sedated, they would paint her nails and made sure she had her earrings on, made sure her hair was combed, even when she was in a medically induced coma,” said Robinson. “During the whole process, we never felt alone. I just knew that when I was going into medicine, that I wanted to not just be a healer, but be a friend.”
He first came to MSM to pursue his Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) degree, in preparation for his medical degree.
Robinson was nominated for the honor by President and Dean Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., and Associate Dean of Medical Education, Student Affairs and Admissions Ngozi Anachebe, M.D.
“One of the reasons Dr. Anachebe and Dr. Montgomery Rice nominated me for it was because I always kept my school work first.”
And putting school first meant Robinson missed out on receiving formal recognition from the White House at the scholars’ first event in September in Washington, D.C. However, there will be other workshops and events for him to take part in throughout the school year. Also, Initiative staff members can come to support Robinson and other honorees at important educational milestones.
Robinson says his hometown just outside of St. Louis is very supportive and proud of him and all he has done so far. And he wants to give back and show his appreciation one day.
“I want to go home and speak to students in my hometown. I also want to speak to undergraduate students at my alma mater, Jackson State University,” said the future primary care physician. “I’ve always been very transparent with my journey, with my struggles. And I just want to let them know that I was once in their shoes.”