This weeks #BossBabe is hands down probably one of sweetest, most genuine people I know- Stephanie Annor! I met Steph through my H6 fam, my weekly group at the church I go to, Hope City! Stephanie recently left us as she started her new adventure in Oklahoma City, where she will be for the next couple of years to complete her residency. In this interview, Steph tells us her reasons for choosing the medical field as well as all the advice she would give to someone starting out in their career!
Tell me a little about yourself. Where did you grown up, get your degree in etc? What is your current job?
My name is Stephanie Yaa Annor and I am 27 years old. Born and raised in Houston Texas shortly after my parents emigrated* from Ghana. I just graduated medical school and most very recently moved to Oklahoma City to complete my medical residency training in Pediatrics! Additionally, I love to travel (15 countries and counting!). Whether it is a drive to San Antonio or a flight to Thailand, traveling is my favorite interest when I have time off.
What made you decide to start your career?
Ever since I could remember, I’ve always wanted to be a physician. My mom was the initial and one of many people to start my journey to medicine. She is a Licensed Vocational Nurse and seeing her peruse a different career from my dad’s business sparked a constant intrigue and shadowing to follow her & more women in the health care field. Plus, I am very much a people person-so what better way to get to know and RESPECT people’s most intimate parts of their lives than to nurture them to be the best version they can be.
Yes-the path to medicine is a very long but a greatly rewarding mission.
It starts with completion of college, acceptance and completion of medical school and lastly acceptance and completion of post graduate training (residency) of your chosen specialty. Furthermore, you can continue to specialize in your specialty called fellowship. So, my specialty is Pediatrics & after 3 years I will be able to treat children from birth to 18 yrs in a wide variety. However, I can complete fellowship a focus on certain fields whether by age range organ system or acuity in Pediatrics (Neonates, Adolescents, Cardiology, Emergency medicine, etc.).
What inspires you on a daily basis?
God’s UNFAILING Love. God is real & he is apart of my life every single day, in every single way. I praise him, I lean on him when I don’t understand, he is my strength that gives me joy to live is insignificant time we have on this earth.
But, my family, friends, and church are my biggest support systems. They make me want to continue to make them proud! I appreciate them soooo much.
What is your favorite bible verse & why?
This is hard! There’s sooo many! Can I cheat? These verses comforts me with peace in the present, faith in what doesn’t make sense, hope for the future, and the strength to express love and joy:
“And we know that for those who love God ALL things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”- Romans 8:28 ESV
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He RESTORES my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”- Psalms 23:1-3 ESV
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you WILL have tribulation. BUT TAKE HEART; I have overcome the world.””- John 16:33 ESV
“but they who WAIT for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”- Isaiah 40:31 ESV
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 8:38-39 ESV
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces ENDURANCE, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”- Romans 5:3-4 ESV
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”- Hebrews 11:1 ESV
What’s something you would tell your 20-year-old self?
Keep doing you! Don’t change for anybody, you are exactly the way you need to be. Stay on your grind. And treat yo self!
[Tweet “…treat yo’ self!”]
What is your end goal with your career? What do you want to accomplish?
Ultimately my end goal is to have my work be my praise and be fruitful! Whether working in an academic institution, opening my own practice or providing medical care overseas, I want everyday to be another opportunity to serve. My career is a tool to PRUNE, sanctify, and humble me.
But more specifically, I do favor adolescents, (our future world-changers!) so I see myself healing hands and encouraging that age group.
What are the 3 most important things you would tell someone starting off in their career?
- Trust the process! Let everything soak in, every praise, every criticism, every job offer, networking, letter of acceptance/denial. Know that in everything it will work out in due time.
- Humility will take you far! When you die (sorry for getting cryptic lol) your money, accolades, prestige don’t go with you! In everything, be humble and people in your career will see your character!
- Always keep learning, don’t settle for complacency when you feel like you have, “made it.” Everything is an opportunity to learn something new, ask questions and make change.
What is your favorite thing to do regarding your field?
Learning about people’s lives. Every day I get the chance to tap into their daily lives to encourage and keep people on track physically, mentally, socially, spiritually.
What is your least favorite?
The dark side of medicine is real. The side where doctors forget the reason they chose this field or regret the investment made. The depression that uninvitedly creeps in as early a medical school. The administrative side of medicine that distances the patient interactions.
What has been the most surprising challenge within your field?
Probably balance. Life outside the hospital and my patients, keeping up with family and friends, proper sleep hygiene and lifestyle living! It’s not hard but you have to proactively be present in what’s important to you. And as seasons change certain things may take priority, but I have to continue to remind myself what is the world like outside of what’s in front of me daily.
Until Next Time!
-B
