Hello Readers, Medivoice is here again with another edition of MediVoice Personality of the Week. This edition is special as we will learn more about one of our soon-to-be doctors, a member of the Stalwarts Ivy Class.
Without further ado, let’s get straight into the interview.
Hello, please can we meet you?
Hi Medivoice, My name is Akwuaka Blaise, I’m in 600L. I enjoy reading, exploring cars, driving, going to the gym, and playing video games.
Nice to meet you Dr. Blaise. Can you please share what inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and how that motivation evolved during your studies?
I was drawn to medicine by a deep fascination with how the human body works. I was always reading and came across materials that made me question and marvel at its complexity. Then I made the ‘mistake’ of reading Gifted Hands, and that pretty much-sealed everything
Lol… another Ben Carson disciple- “Blaise Carson”😂 So What has med school been like, can you share your most memorable preclinical and clinical experience?
Medical school has truly been a roller coaster, packed with highs, lows, and everything in between. Honestly, it’s an incredibly stressful place, but hey, here we are! My most memorable preclinical experience was passing Part 3 MB. I was really worried about it—there was so much to cover, and they barely gave us a week to revise. In my clinical years, my most memorable experiences were in the clinic, seeing patients, clerking them, and then watching the consultant manage the patient based on my clerking and recommended treatment plan. It made me feel like I was finally doing something right.
Outside of school, one of my most memorable achievements was winning the “Most Fashionable” award, back-to-back-to-back. It was such a fun and unexpected highlight!
What challenges have you faced so far in medical school and how were you able to overcome them?
Med school is filled with challenges—there’s no way around it. One of the toughest for me was keeping up the same drive and passion for studying from the beginning of the session all the way to the end. It was nearly impossible to sustain, but I was lucky to have friends who kept me on my toes. They made sure I never got too comfortable or lax, which helped me push through.
What is your support system, and how have they influenced your journey through medical school?
My support systems have been everything to me: God, my parents, and my friends. My parents would move heaven and earth to make sure I had everything I needed and was comfortable. And my friends—I couldn’t have wished for better friends.
What specialty of medicine are you considering, and what influenced your decision?
I’m considering Orthopedic surgery with a focus on sports medicine. I love tinkering away with stuff, and ortho is the best place for this. Plus, as a sports doctor, you get to attend sports events as part of the job—who wouldn’t want that?
That’s really nice. So, what changes do you hope to see in the Nigerian healthcare system by the time you start practicing?
When it comes to changes in Nigerian healthcare, I’d love to see a more systemized structure where patients don’t have to pay out of pocket—health insurance schemes would make a huge difference. And we need to adopt electronic medical records; it’s time to move past carrying case folders up and down the hospital.
Now, Dr. Blaise, I believe you do other things outside of medicine. How do you manage stress and maintain a work-life balance while studying medicine?
Honestly, there’s no real way to manage stress completely. Medical school alone is stressful enough, and adding anything else to that is challenging. However, I’ve learned to prioritize tasks and use my time wisely to get as much done as possible in the little time I have.
In what ways do you feel you have grown personally and professionally during your time in medical school?
I think the biggest growth I’ve had in medical school is in my confidence. I used to be really shy and timid, but I’ve learned that confidence alone goes a long way. In medicine, you have to say what you know—and say it with confidence. No patient wants a doctor who isn’t sure of themselves.
Most definitely, now what advice would you give to someone considering a career in medicine?
Advice? Hmmm… run o! Don’t say I didn’t warn you. But if you must go for it, come prepared—and don’t isolate yourself. Build a network: friend groups, study groups, religious groups, anything that gives you a sense of community. Having support is essential, and study groups make a huge difference in getting through medical school.
Finally, Dr. Blaise, if you could go back in time and give your first-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Advice to my first-year self: Use all your money to buy Bitcoin.
And there you have it, dear readers. We have come to the end of this interview. Thank you for joining us on this edition, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
As you await the next edition, don’t forget to check out other interesting interviews here.
Till next time, stay jiggy.
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