Hometown: Hinche, Haiti
Name of Undergraduate Institution: []_[]niversity of Miami
Major(s)/Minor(s) in College:
Major: Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology; Minor: Chemistry
Name of Medical School: Florida International University Wertheim College of Medicine
Favorite Quote: “The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.” – Baldwin
Contact Info: dany.accilien@korehaiti.org or daccilien@gmail.com. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions. We stand on each other’s shoulders.
Additional Links: KORE Haiti
Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path?
I’m currently a third year medical student at Florida International University. I decided to pursue medicine for a number of reasons, but the deciding factors were the opportunities given by medicine to develop meaningful connections with other individuals and the possibility to become a well-rounded leader.
If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell him?
I would tell him to take a few minutes each day to sit down quietly and do nothing.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?
The best advice I could give is to work on yourself every day. Polish your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses. Begin to understand what your goals and priorities are in life, and tailor your actions towards them.
What is a major challenge you have had to overcome and how did you do so?
The toughest challenge was answering the question “Who am I?” I think it’s a question many don’t take the time to ponder on, but it’s an essential one. I wasn’t able to truly ‘answer’ the question in the traditional sense, as it’s an ongoing process; but I was able to feel the answer one day while sitting down quietly outside in Haiti for a long night.
What is your favorite thing about your medical school?
My classmates are incredible. I was very fortunate to have a great class filled with a number of individuals I would trust to take care of my family.
Do you have another professional degree? If so, how has it impacted you?
MBA in the works.
What advice would you give to someone getting ready to start his or her application process to medical schools?
Give it everything you got now. Use all of your resources. Email advisors, successful applicants, and current professionals in the field. Pick up the phone and call someone who can help. Research individuals, their programs, and current students to see what the school looks for in applicants. Although it’s stressful, take a step back to appreciate the process, then go right back at it again. Don’t ever give up. Ever.
Did you take some time off before medical school? If so, what did you do during that time?
No time off, I’m too impatient, ha.
Do you have any passions outside of school? If so, what are they?
I have more passions outside of school than in school to be honest:
- Longboarding
- Traveling
- Global Health
- Netflix
- Education
- Business, Business management, and Entrepreneurship
- Politics
- Public Health
- Race relations
- Community welfare (mental health, economic sustainability, healthcare management, social justice)
- Basketball
- Dancing
What do you like to do for fun?
Participate in and/or discuss all of the above.
What do you feel is the most challenging part of medical school? The easiest part?
Easiest part is going to sleep knowing you are making a significant impact in another individual’s life.
Most difficult part is learning to yawn with your mouth closed when you’re tired.
How have you been able to deal with your romantic relationship and medical school at the same time?
Yes, it’s difficult at times, but you just have to get very lucky.
In regards to dating, what kind of qualities are you looking for in someone?
Basically a replica of my current partner. But she’d say she can’t be replicated etc. etc. so no reason to go into details.
What did you do during the summer before you started medical school?
Spent hours on the couch with family and friends. Loved every second of it.
What do you do to get through the stressful nature of medical school?
I go to the gym, meditate, sleep, talk to my family, whichever is most accessible at the time.
What extra-curricular activites are you involved in at your school?
During third year there’s not a lot of time to participate in many outside activities, but I occasionally participate in the ‘there are free snacks in the lounge’ club. A few colleagues and I managed to start a non-profit organization focused on developing the Haitian community in healthcare, economics and education. With prayer and proper guidance we’ve been fortunate enough to see over 600 patients over the past few years. Check us out if you have time at korehaiti.org.
What is it like attending school in your city/town?
It’s Miami, so if you have some free time, there’s always something to do. Vibrant nightlife, mixed with too many cultures to name. There is a strong Spanish and Haitian presence in South Florida, which polishes your language skills every now and then. The traffic is atrocious, but it’s difficult to be mad when it’s essentially gorgeous and sunny every day.
What were some of your involvements in college? Have those involvements helped you in any way in medical school?
All of my involvements in college were part of the process towards furthering my personal development. They have each tailored my character in their own way, preparing me to face many of the challenges, whether in educational or social issues.
- Ronald A. Hammond Scholar
- Ryder Trauma Center Laboratory Research Assistant
- Brothers Overcoming Negativity and Destruction (B.O.N.D.)
- Upperclassmen Mentor and Program Designer for Inspire U Series with Booker T. Washington Senior High
- Upward Bound Tutor
- Private Personal Trainer
- Living Hope Haiti Medical Missionary Surgical Team Member
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- For a brief time I was leading a book club…not sure how that happened.
Who are some of your favorite musicians? Favorite books? Shows? Movies?
- Musicians:
- I’m not sure I have a favorite. I try to listen to all types of music. I love Hip-Hop, R&B, and my sister loves Pop and Country, so I’m all over the place depending who I’m around.
- Books:
- White Fang
- Poisonwood Bible
- Green Eggs and Ham
- Bouki ak Ti Malis
- Artemis Fowl series
- Shows:
- True Detective
- Law and Order SVU
- Sherlock
- Stranger Things
- Scrubs
- Simpsons
- Seinfeld
- Chappelle Show
- Movies:
- Anything with Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, or Hans Zimmer on the track.
Haha humorous as always bro! I really appreciate you taking the time to give the readers some insight into who you are and what you stand for! Like you said, we stand on each other's shoulders! Thanks a lot Dany and best of luck with your ongoing endeavors!
Health Career Spotlights Home Page
Posted on December 12th, 2016