Hometown: Bowie, MD
Name of Undergraduate Institution: Spelman College
Major(s)/Minor(s) in College: Biology Major
Name of Professional Schools:
Drexel University College of Medicine
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Favorite Quote: My favorite personal quote is “Stop living off of your potential and live up to it.” Many great opportunities out there sit and wait. Knock on the door; once it opens you will be surprised by what awaits you.
Contact Info:
You can contact me on Instagram @antonia_gore and via email (antonia.d.gore@gmail.com) as well.
Additional Links:
I have written a book entitled “Wherever You Go, Lead With Your Heart” and it will be released this fall. Check out my website to keep updated with the release and for pre-orders!
Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path?
I am currently a first-year medical student at St. George’s University School of Medicine. I was also chosen as a Keith B. Taylor Global Scholar and will be allotted the opportunity to spend the first year of my medical education in London.
If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell her?
If I had to give my freshman self some advice, I would tell her to enjoy the moments because one minute you’re in college and the next thing you know you are reminiscing on those days!
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?
I would tell them to never give up and always keep striving for your best in life and especially in school. Be ruthless in the pursuit of the things that set your soul on fire and make you feel alive.
What is a major challenge you have had to overcome and how did you do so?
While studying at Spelman during my junior year, I lost my oldest sister to stage-four triple negative breast cancer. I was devastated, and faced with the decision to continue my studies or take a break. I chose to stay the course, because that is what my sister would have encouraged me to do. Although the road was full of bumps and obstacles, I graduated on time from Spelman. But the aftermath of my sister’s death took a toll on my grades. It seemed like medical school was out of the question and that my dream was going to end there. However, I refused to give up and continued in my pursuit of becoming a doctor.
Striving to enhance my medical school resume, I went back to school and received my M.S. with a concentration in Biochemistry from Drexel University College of Medicine. Afterwards, I took several premedical courses, participated in medical preparation programs, and studied for the MCAT. After applying and going through several interviews and hearing a lot of “no's,” I finally got my “Yes!” After all the challenges and obstacles, I realized that nothing can bring me down unless I let it and I have to just keep going, no matter what.
What is your favorite thing about your medical school?
My favorite thing about my medical school is that it allows me to meet such a diverse group of people and that it emphasizes global health.
Do you have any passions outside of school? If so, what are they?
Outside of school I do have a passion for modeling and competing in pageants. I have done several runway shows and won pageants making sure to spread breast cancer awareness in my sister’s memory. Recently, I placed 3rd runner up in the Miss Maryland USA pageant and my dream is to walk the Miss USA stage one day.
What do you like to do for fun?
For fun, I love to travel. I caught the travel bug from my very first travel experience as a Global STEM Scholar researching the Biodiversity & Ecological Systems of Lagoons in Brazil while at Spelman. Since then I have travelled to 15 countries. I will also study Medicine in three different countries while in medical school (London, Grenada, and the USA).
What do you do to get through the stressful nature of medical school?
I de-stress by working out! I find that living a healthy and active lifestyle really helps me focus while in school. I enjoy kickboxing, spinning, barre, rock climbing, and strength training exercises the most.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share some of your life experiences with us Antonia! You are very greatly appreciated! And you're totally right about the fact that nothing can bring you down unless you allow it to! Congrats on your hard-earned spot in medical school and best of luck to you as you take on these wonderful years of learning ahead of you in full stride!
Health Career Spotlights Home Page
Posted on August 28th, 2017