The Pathway Initiative Board of Directors consists of experts from various professions, all dedicated to advancing TPI’s mission of improving diversity in medical education and, in turn, improving access to care for communities of color across Massachusetts and the United States. This series helps us get to know TPI board members as professionals and people, learn about their experiences, and hear what drove them to get involved with TPI.
What is your educational and professional background?
I studied Communications and Public Relations at Boston University, graduating with honors in 2011. Soon after, I got a job at a public relations firm in town supporting clients from a broad array of fields, from consumer goods to law firms, financial services, and non-profit organizations. From the moment I started working with a non-profit organization, a child and family services group located in New Bedford, I knew I had found my passion. Using my communication skills to help drive awareness and support of organizations helping real people gave me such a feeling of fulfillment. To chase that feeling, I soon started a role at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in oncology care and research, where I worked for nearly 11 years in various communications, marketing, and fundraising roles. Recently, I joined the fundraising team at Harvard University, leading marketing efforts for planned giving to support the University’s research and teaching mission.
What made you want to get involved with The Pathway Initiative?
During my time at Dana-Farber, I had the opportunity to meet, and share the stories of, many doctors, researchers, patients, and family members. I learned throughout that process how disparities in access to health care and in outcomes still exist for patients of color, and was passionate about Dana-Farber’s efforts to combat those inequities and make care more accessible for patients, no matter their race or socio-economic background. When I was approached about joining the TPI board, I knew this was an opportunity I could not turn down, to use my skills to help make a tangible difference in the future of medical care in Massachusetts.
Why is increasing diversity and access in medicine important to you?
Consistently seeing statistics about cancer death rates remaining higher for people of color, despite lower occurrence rates for some diseases, and knowing that some people of color don’t view world-class facilities like Dana-Farber as welcoming for them, really hit home for me. Everyone should have equal access to the best care, and to have doctors who listen to them; understand their background and circumstances; and provide high-quality, compassionate care. We’ve all had experiences where we felt like a doctor wasn’t hearing us, or was underestimating our pain, and for women and people of color, that experience is greatly improved when you have a doctor who looks like you. Supporting TPI’s mission not only helps these amazing students pursue their dreams, it’s also helping all of the patients they will care for in the future, who will have a doctor from their own community providing the compassionate, high-quality care they need and deserve.
How do you see your role on the board contributing to the growth and success of The Pathway Initiative?
My passion is in storytelling. Throughout my career so far, finding engaging stories of patients, donors, doctors, researchers, or supporters and telling those to the right audience, at the right time, through the right channel, has been my expertise. I am so excited to get to know the students who are a part of The Pathway Initiative and to share their stories with the TPI community and beyond, to showcase these amazing young people and to garner much-needed support for this important cause.
What advice would you give to a high school or college student pursuing a career in medicine?
Don’t give up! If you aren’t grasping a concept right away, or if you don’t get acceptance letters or job offers the first time around, don’t lose hope or sight of your dreams. It can be easy to get distracted, especially when things are tough, but stay focused on why you went down this path and picture yourself in the career you want. If it means getting extra tutoring, or taking an internship instead of a full-time position right away, do what you need to make it work and don’t rush yourself. Have patience and be proud of yourself for what you’ve accomplished so far. TPI and your community of fellow students are here to support you!
Read Shannon Watterson’s bio here.