Fly, Doctor, Fly!
Tomorrow, June 26th, my first children’s book, Fly, Doctor, Fly!, is available for pre-order. I can’t believe that this dream that I first had and worked on four years ago as a college freshman is finally coming to life. I couldn’t be more humbled and grateful for this moment, for this journey, and for the family and friends who have poured into this vision every step of the way. I have to thank God for making every bit of this possible. Today, I would like to use this space to simply say thank you and to speak directly to the reader of this book.
To girls and boys with dreams big enough to fill the universe: please continue to dream without limitation. Never lose your vivid and boundless imagination. It’s that same imagination that helps to make this world so colorful, so bright, and so hopeful. To Black and Brown girls and boys who do not always see themselves represented in spaces like medicine or in STEM fields, I want you to know that you are not only needed in these spaces, but you are wanted in these spaces. Never allow anyone to deter you from your dreams. Never allow anyone or anything to dictate your path. I want you to know that there are so many women and men who are eagerly waiting to not only see you fly, but to help you soar on this path and beyond. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your story looks like, you are more than capable to do and accomplish all that you can dream of. I firmly believe that. Most importantly, I believe in you. If you decide one day that you want to be a doctor, artist, actress, and singer, you can do it. Believe in yourself and always follow your passions. You will change the world and the worlds of the people around you when you follow your heart and lead with compassion.
I hope that when this book becomes a part of your bookshelf on July 28th, that it reminds you of how important you are, how destined you are for greatness, and how a little imagination can give you the wings you need to fly. I hope that it provides some resources to spark an interest and love for the medical field.
To Black and Brown pre-med students, non-traditional pre-meds, and everyone with doctor dreams: you are building a legacy that the world cannot be without. While the journey can be challenging, never forget your why. Your individual journey is a testimony that will empower those who come after you. Medicine needs more people like you. Our communities and our world need more people like you. Currently, Black physicians make up only 5% of the physician workforce in the United States while Latino physicians make up 5.8% of the physician workforce. As we take each step on our journeys, let’s never forget to reach back and support the next generation of visionaries so that the path is a little easier and accessible. They need us now as much as we will need them.
To every individual who takes the time to purchase this book and share with loved ones: thank you so much for your support and for being a part of making this dream of mine possible. Your support means the world to me and I pray that this story will inspire your little one even beyond the pages of the book.
To my dad who inspired this story and illustrated this book with me: I am immensely grateful for you and inspired by you. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to work on this dream with you. This book will forever be special to me because it was one that we created together. To my mom, thank you so much for supporting this vision since that first moment four years ago when I told you that I wanted to write a children’s book. I could not have done any of this without you. You are my role-model.
With love,