Today’s post is in honour of one of my favourite people in the whole world, Kilali Iyalla a.k.a Med School a.k.a Tha Doc a.k.a Don Killz (totally inappropos considering she’s a life saver). She is at once my cousin (actual AND play), my friend and all round silent supporter. She just graduated medical school and is about to start her residency in her first choice hospital. At her graduation last weekend, Kilali (predictably) won these awards:

Binghamtpton Campus Department of Surgery award: awarded to the clinical campus student who has demonstrated an outstanding find of knowledge in the principles and practice of surgery. This student has also demonstrated characteristics considered both important and necessary in all physicians, a dedication to patient care with diligence, empathy and ethical and intellectual integrity.

James L. Potts, MD Medical Principles award: presented to the African American graduating med student with the best performance in clinical medicine who has participated in community and campus organizations.

The Goldman Humanism Honour society: The society honours senior medical students for demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership and dedication to service. Candidates are nominated and then elected by peers within their class.

You can see the sort of woman Kilali is; it’s more than just academic excellence, she has the compassion, diligence, integrity and humility that makes a person truly exceptional. And she tops all of that with wit and humour. How?! God clearly worked overtime.

I think Kilali’s success delights me particularly because with every step of her medical journey, I feel like I am watching a dream unfold, manifest, and there is nothing more potent, encouraging and inspiring to witness. When were children, long before I knew that growing up did not merely involve unrestricted access to cartoons and lollipops, she said she would be a doctor…and her dream has come true in spectacular fashion. Yet the journey has been arduous; it’s taken more perseverance and sacrifice than anyone might imagine and has produced the sort of growth and strength of character that nothing but adversity can forge. We often say that adversity builds character, but that’s not the case. Adversity simply reveals character. In a world that so quickly snuffs out our belief in dreams, I’m always excited when I see dreams come true. It galvanizes my heart and dares me to believe again.

What’s interesting is how much of an elemental part we play in actualizing our dreams. Somehow when we decide to chase our dreams, or even just do good generally, we think the universe ought to make the road smooth as though to reward us for making the brave decision to follow our bliss or do right. But that’s not the case, is it? In the end, it just makes you realize how much power we hold over our attitude, choices, decisions and dreams, and how these things effectively shape our destiny. I think little by little I’m starting to demystify a lot of things that I normally think are outside my scheme of influence. It’s an incomplete thought right now though; I’m still mentally chewing on it. *sips Brain fluid*