Final Year Medical-Student Tuition Fund

Hello! I am Akhenaton Pierre from the Caribbean Island of St Lucia.

I want to tell you why my medical dream matters, and, why I am approaching you, someone who may feel passionate about leveling the educational playing field for a final year medical student.

After passing and acing all board exams, I have completed all requirements and I am slated to start medical residency in Emergency medicine in July.

My Story.

Since childhood, I loved science and wanted to become a professional athlete. Growing up on an island that has a 25% poverty rate, and 32% youth unemployment rate, I saw how professional athletes could leverage their training to overcome the limited options existing for youth from a tourist destination island. I wanted a better life for my family and knew I had a distance to go. My determination and athletic training, garnered me national and international achievements. Yet, my greatest award came in the form of a full National Collegiate Athletic Association scholarship to Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD.

Why Medicine?

At 17, I left my family, my culture, and everything I called home to attend MSU, a Historically Black University where I competed in men’s track and field. Here I learned I could hurdle obstacles of many kinds. My sophomore year, brought painful and debilitating chronic ocular migraines. During multiple hospital stays, I witnessed people much worse off than myself. I became fascinated with the doctor’s capacity for diagnosis, restoration of health and, more importantly, their sincere displays of compassion. With each hospitalization, the personal caring of the medical staff touched a heart string. I found myself reconsidering what I thought was my only option out of poverty. Because I made it to a university in the United States, more options opened for my future. I felt a flame ignite; and a fervent desire to pursue medicine. I graduated from Morgan State in December 2018, with a BS in Biology. With some hard work and determination, as well and the grace of God, I was accepted to Ross University School of Medicine with a 25% tuition-paid scholarship. I began 18 months of classroom experience at this internationally designated university in Barbados. The second part of Ross University’s medical school clinicals are in the U.S. where I have been working in Queens, New York. My clinical rotations have completely solidified

How far have I come?

At this juncture, I have completed and passed 1/2 of my USMLE licensing exams to practice in the United States, the second of which I am currently preparing to take, and I am slated to graduate in May of 2025. I currently hold a 3.3 GPA and have made indelible contributions to medical research in the United States, and Barbados in the field of women's health and Diabetes research.

Why I am asking?

Ross University is accredited by the National Committee for Foreign Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) through the Department of Education. This helps American students participate in the US Federal Direct Student Loan program. However, as an international

student in the United States, I am ineligible to participate in this same program or, for that matter, any kind of student or personal loan program from an American lending institution

even with a US co-signatory for a significant amount. A ‘no loan’ option was not on my family's radar. They investigated St. Lucia loan options, but St. Lucian banks have high stipulations, for which I am unqualified. I turned to the St Lucia Ministry of Education where a high-ranking official told me there were no grants or aid available.

My tuition

After 11 semesters, whats left to pay till graduation is $60,000.

I hope this Go Fund Me campaign inspires you to offer what you can afford. I have made it this far, yet, know potential alone

is not going to get me there. I need your assistance and generosity.

And a prayer and a share! Thanks for your consideration, for sharing this campaign with your circles, and for any amount you can afford to give.

With Gratitude,

Akha