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York Bio Major Goes to Medical School in Atlanta

York College is on a roll with its current graduates getting into medical schools.

Vincent Roberts is the fourth graduate amongst the December 2021/June 2022 class to be accepted into medical school; and the third Guyanese immigrant of the season.

Mr. Roberts has accepted an offer from Atlanta’s Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) with a $10,000 per semester Merit Scholarship. He is applying for additional funding at this time.

“I chose my medical school based off three qualities that were important to me,” said Roberts. “Diversity, community outreach, and research opportunities; MSM has a great combination of the three. York has always been very diverse and inclusive. As a result, I was more likely to come to school either to study or go to office hours [to see professors]. So, in my search for medical schools, I made sure to look for schools with a similar environment to that of York.”

Roberts, his parents and two older brothers arrived in the United States from the English-speaking South American nation 2003; and his parents are excited to see their sacrifice rewarded in the success of their children.

“They were happy to hear the good news,” Roberts noted. “My parents have always been supportive in all of my endeavors. They taught me the importance of staying disciplined and optimistic. They gave up their family and friends in Guyana so that their kids could have better lives here in America. I owe them a debt I will never be able to pay off. Everything I do, I do for them.”

The future physician is not the first of the Roberts’ children to graduate from York College. His elder brothers are alumni of the college as well. As for what his plans to eventually specialize in, the York Biology major it is choices, choices, choices for now.

“I am overwhelmed by the amount of specialization available,” Roberts said. “At first I wanted to be a psychiatrist to help combat the plague that mental illness has caused in Indo-Caribbean communities. Emergency medicine has also caught my attention. I’ve been an EMT for around three months. I work mostly on the ambulance but there are also times where I am alongside nurses in the ER.”

Roberts explained that he also enjoys “the fast-paced environment where quick thinking and immediate care are critical. I would be open to a surgical specialty. I grew up helping my dad with construction, so I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands.”

Asked how helpful York has been in helping him achieve his goal to this point, Roberts was effusive in his response.

“York has been incredibly pivotal in helping me reach my goal,” he said. The biology department is filled with knowledgeable and patient instructors. These professors made it clear that hard work and perseverance was the only way to succeed in their classes.”

He added that he was “able to find professors that were more than willing to mentor me on my path to medical school. For example, Dr. [Alexander] Birk was always willing to help me. Whether it be mock interviews, personal statement revision, or general advice, Dr. Birk was always there in my corner to motivate me. I truly would not have made it to Medical school if it wasn’t for the amazing [faculty] at York.”

Dr. Jong-ILL Lee, a mentor from the Chemistry remarked on the happy news.

“I am very happy for him,” said Dr. Lee. “He is a very positive person and warm hearted. He was not a spark leader; but never-dying warm sun in our study sessions. He always worked with others and tried to understand the material carefully at every step: slow but steady.” 

York College congratulates the future Dr. Roberts; and wishes him well as he pursues a medical degree in preparation to serve our communities.

**Over its 55-year history, York College has sent hundreds of students to medical schools. Most hail from the Biology and Chemistry departments, but occasionally, from Physics, Geology, Anthropology and on at least one occasion, the English department. This latest batch continues the illustrious tradition.