My name is Dr. Uchenna Umeh, and I am an immigrant (physician).
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be an architect. My journey to becoming a physician started somewhat as a dare. I was born in Nigeria, the first child of six children from middle-class parents. My father served in the Nigerian air force; my mother was a banker.
Towards the end of my secondary education (I attended an all-girls boarding secondary school), my father asked me the natural question,
“So what are you going to study in the university?”
I eagerly answered, “Architecture!”
He went on to say the words which hit me like bricks.
“Nne, you are a woman. Architecture? why don’t you study pharmacy like your [female] cousin?”
I was bewildered but not for too long, you see, in the Nigeria of my childhood, certain professions were still “meant” for certain sexes. I gently and calmly explained to him that I would rather study medicine if I must do something in the “medical field.” Then he added, “But medicine is for men, why don’t you do something more feminine?” At this point, I promised him I would work really hard to prove to him that I could and would become a doctor, regardless of my sex. After completing medical school (I was one of about ten women in my graduating class). I decided I would like to go to the U.S. for my residency, and I wanted none other than Howard University in Washington, DC.
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