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For James Watson Rapley, the journey to becoming a physician began long before he ever imagined pursuing medicine. In fact, he says it began before he was even born. 

Rapley, an MD1 student at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, alongside his twin brother. His birth was the culmination of years of hope and sacrifice for his family. After his parents were unsuccessful in having children, his aunt became their surrogate. She already had two children of her own but welcomed the opportunity to carry Rapley and his twin. 

Just 16 days after his birth, Rapley was rushed to the hospital after becoming seriously ill. He was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis, a condition that prevented food from passing normally from his stomach into his intestines. He underwent an emergency pyloromyotomy, a surgical procedure to open the affected passage. 

The surgeon who performed the procedure ultimately saved Rapley’s life. Although Rapley never met the physician, he remembers what his parents told him about the compassion and care the surgeon showed his family during an incredibly frightening time. 

“He showed so much compassion to my family and treated me with such care and respect,” Rapley said. 

That experience stayed with him. 

Years later, as Rapley began thinking seriously about his future, he found himself drawn to medicine and the opportunity to provide that same kind of care to others. 

His path to medical school, however, was not a straight line. 

After graduating from Rutgers University in 2023, Rapley knew he wanted to work in health care but was unsure whether his future would be in medicine or research. He pursued a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, where he gained research experience and worked alongside medical students. 

Being surrounded by students who were already pursuing the career he had once envisioned for himself helped Rapley find his direction again. 

“I almost left medicine to focus on research,” he said. “But it was really motivating to see that these people who I see every single day, they are living what I wanted to be.” 

During his time at Rutgers, another experience helped shape the kind of physician he hopes to become. While taking a course called Health Disparities in African American Communities, Rapley was introduced to the ways social determinants of health can affect a person’s ability to receive adequate health care. 

The course opened his eyes to the reality that access to health care is not the same for everyone. 

“That really made me the person who I am today,” he said. “I really want to be that person for those who need the help the most.” 

That commitment to serving communities was one of the reasons Rapley ultimately chose Morehouse School of Medicine. 

He was drawn to MSM’s focus on serving neighboring communities and hopes to become the kind of physician patients can trust — particularly those who may face barriers to care. 

“I want to help serve the communities, the people who need it, the people who lack insurance and lack access to local physicians in the area,” Rapley said. “I kind of want to be that person that they can confide in, someone who they can see as a friend.” 

The sense of community he found at MSM was just as important. 

Since arriving on campus, Rapley has embraced opportunities to connect with his classmates and students in the classes ahead of him. From social events to the Big Sib, Little Sib program, he has found a support system that has helped him navigate the transition into medical school. 

That support has been especially meaningful as he adjusted to a new city and the demands of medical education. 

After spending his childhood in New Jersey and taking several years between undergraduate education and medical school, moving to Atlanta and returning to the classroom was a significant adjustment. The first few weeks were difficult, he said, but his classmates helped make the transition manageable. 

One conversation with a classmate even changed the way he thinks about the difficult days of medical school. 

During one late-night study session, Rapley asked a friend how he could continue studying so late when he was tired. His friend responded simply: “I chose this life. This is what I want to do.” 

The words stuck with Rapley. 

Whenever he feels overwhelmed or burned out, he thinks back to that conversation and reminds himself that becoming a physician is something he has wanted for years. 

“Sometimes we’ll be down in the trenches when we have an exam the next week,” he said. “But I’ve wanted to be in this position for many, many, many years. So it’s kind of a privilege to be in the trenches.” 

Another memorable moment came during MSM’s Community Culture Day, when students wore shirts representing their cultures and countries of heritage. For Rapley, who said he sometimes felt like an outsider growing up in an area with a smaller Black population, seeing his classmates come together from different parts of the world was meaningful. 

Coming to Morehouse, he said, has given him a sense of belonging. 

“I feel right at home with everybody,” Rapley said. 

Now, as Rapley prepares for Morehouse School of Medicine’s 42nd Convocation and White Coat & Pinning Ceremony, that feeling of belonging is accompanied by a deep sense of gratitude. 

Receiving his white coat represents much more than the beginning of his medical education. For Rapley, it represents years of sacrifice — including the sacrifices his parents and aunt made before he was even born — as well as the years he spent finding his way back to medicine. 

He remembers studying for the MCAT on cold November nights in New Jersey and wondering whether he could make it through. He remembers the uncertainty of his gap years and the decision to pursue medical school. Now, all of those experiences are leading to one defining moment. 

“Everyone worked really hard for me to get to where I am today,” Rapley said. “That day is really just going to set it in stone when I get that white coat around my shoulders.” 

As he looks ahead, Rapley is eager not only to develop his skills as a physician but to give back to the community. He looks forward to opportunities such as participating in health screenings and learning how to better care for patients. 

But his ambitions extend beyond his own medical career. He also hopes to encourage future generations of physicians, particularly young people who may wonder whether medicine is possible for them. 

“There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it,” he said. “I’ve done it, so you guys can do it as well.” 

For Rapley, the white coat ceremony will mark the beginning of a new chapter. But in many ways, the story it represents began 25 years ago — with two parents hoping to start a family, an aunt who opened her arms to that dream and a surgeon who cared for a 16-day-old child with compassion. 

Now, Rapley is preparing to become the kind of physician who can offer that same compassion to someone else. 

Learn more about Morehouse School of Medicine’s 42nd Fall Convocation and watch the ceremony live on YouTube: https://www.msm.edu/convocation/index.php

 

About the Author

Michael Martin is a content strategist who believes in crafting compelling stories that inspire and connect. With a pen for storytelling, he brings the journeys of students, faculty and staff to life, highlighting their impact and dedication to healthcare.

Contact

Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu