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ElevateMeD Scholar: Samantha Rosa

Meet Samantha Rosa

ElevateMeD Scholar 2023-2024

Samantha Rosa shares what inspired her to pursue medicine, the cost to do so, and what pushes her to keep going.

Interview conducted by: Keiona Eady, @TheAuthenticMessenger

Video editing by: Deanna Reid, @TheSocialPhotog

  • Hometown: West Deptford, New Jersey

  • Medical Education: Cooper Medical School at Rowan University

  • Undergraduate Education: Montclair State University in Biological Sciences

  • Current Career Plan: I am currently enrolled in a 3-year Primary Care program, where I will complete a residency in Internal Medicine at Cooper University Hospital. Following completion of my residency training, I plan on practicing primary care in Camden, NJ serving the community I love so much. More recently, I have gained interest in Women’s health and the healthcare disparities that disproportionately affect minority female-identifying populations (ex. Vaccination rates, STI rates, maternal mortality, poor fetal outcomes). Additionally, I hope to participate in DEI initiatives to recruit and guide underrepresented students, advocate for underserved populations and participate in research dedicated to accurately reflecting the health needs of underrepresented communities.

  • Specialty Interest: Primary Care

  • I am most proud of being a first generation college graduate Latina mother in medical school, and paving the way for younger generations.

  • You might be surprised to know that I love learning about different cultures, religions and languages. During my undergraduate career, I was offered a scholarship to major in religious studies. However, I denied the offer because I was more interested in the sciences and pursuing medicine. Additionally, I minored in Arabic language and culture during my undergraduate education. Many of the Arabic students in that program didn’t believe I wasn’t a native Arabic speaker, because my accent was so good.

  • ElevateMeD is… the change I want to see in the world. ElevateMeD’s mission, vision and values are all causes I stand for and have worked so hard towards during my medical education. ElevateMeD will allow me to network with like-minded individuals and work with them towards the goals we hope to achieve in the future of medicine.