Student Spotlight
This initiative aims to highlight success stories of our Kurdish American medical students and dentistry students. We hope sharing their experiences will provide guidance and inspiration to our community.
If you would like to be included in a future Student Spotlight profile, please feel free to complete the application. ​

May 2018 - Dentistry Student Spotlight
​Chriska Mustafa

Chriska Mustafa
Undergraduate School:
Virginia Commonwealth University 

​Dental School: 
Howard University College of Dentistry
1. What inspired you to pursue dentistry?
In high school I was in a class called medical assisting which was my first exposure to learning about the medical field. I was fifteen at the time and decided to shadow a few health care fields. Dentistry was one of them. I was fifteen years old at the time when I started to shadow a dentist in the area after school during the week and on Saturday mornings. It didn't take long for me to see that I enjoyed being around dentistry. I couldn't wait to get out of school to go to the dental office and shadow, at the time I wasn't allowed to do anything. When I turned sixteen, I got my dental radiography certificate at a community college and the doctor I was observing offered me a job. I began as a receptionist- just answering calls and making appointments. I was allowed to take x-rays and every time I got a chance to do it I was ecstatic. I continued to work there throughout high school eventually becoming a dental assistant. During this time I realized that I was obsessed with dentistry. I didn't think of it as a job - more as a hobby. Twelve years later and I am a third year dental student.

2. Could you tell us a bit about your journey to dentistry?
Well, as I mentioned above my journey began at fifteen. After graduating high school I earned a BSc in Biology with a minor in Business and Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. I took my Dental Admission Test and applied to dental school. For a year between my undergrad and the start of dental school I was working on a Post Baccalaureate Certificate while working full time with Smile Programs for mobile dentistry. Classes get more challenging the further you get in education. I am glad that I was working during the time of my Post Baccalaureate because it reminded me of what I was working towards, a career in dentistry. I began dental school in August 2015 at Howard University College of Dentistry and currently I am a third year student. My journey has been long but I’ve enjoyed the ride.​

3. What are your future goals?
My future goals it to practice dentistry! I'd like to open my own family practice. I'd like to be a trusted and recommended dentist by my community, colleagues and patients. In addition, I'd like to be involved in giving back to our community throughout the years through volunteer work and/or mission trips. I'd love to start a dental mission trip that provides dental care to Kurdish communities.

4. What is one piece of advice that you think is essential for potential dental school applicants?
One piece of advice that I think is essential for potential dental students is to not give up. Applying to dental school takes a lot of time and dedication. It's very easy to give up at any point and lose interest in applying or awaiting acceptations but it's all a test. If you pass this test, you will make it! If you want to be in dentistry find the will in you, and don't give up. Hard work, dedication and persistence pays off. Trust me, its all worth it in the end!

5. What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?
Outside of dental school I enjoy painting, reading, and going to concerts. I use painting as a stress relief. It's important for me to make time for the little things that bring me joy and a "break" from my every day life.

December 2017 - Medical Student Spotlight
​Nujeen Zibari

Nujeen Zibari
Undergraduate School:
University of Texas at Dallas
​
Medical School: 
University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston McGovern Medical School
1. What inspired you to pursue medicine?
My desire to become a pediatrician began with my best friend in childhood, my cousin Huzan. He had a rare form of mucopolysaccharidosis. During a visit when I was four years old, I asked my father why Huzan was always in the hospital. He explained that Huzan was sick and I asked him why my father, a physician assistant, could not take care of Huzan. He responded that there was someone better to do the job, a “kiddy doctor.” At that moment, I decided to become a pediatrician. Huzan died when I was 15. During our last conversation, he told me “Make sure you become a pediatrician, like you always said you would, so you can take care of sick kids like me.” These words have echoed in my mind and have fueled my dream that began at age four. Though Huzan and numerous memorable patients encountered during medical school have driven me towards the field of pediatrics, my mother is the one who first helped me develop character traits that I believe all doctors should have. My mother was never able to attend school. Despite her limited education, she is the most intelligent person I know, and she has taught me more than any book could. I inherited her loving heart that bursts with compassion and the desire to selflessly care for others without needing anything in return. These are traits that are most important to me and I will continue to cultivate them throughout my training.

2. Could you tell us a bit about your journey to medicine?
I worked hard throughout high school to earn good grades. I received a full scholarship at UT Dallas where I had multiple leadership positions like president of an honor society and working as a Peer Led Team Learning Leader (basically a tutor) for calculus. I shadowed doctors throughout and networked. I also did research in a neuroscience rat lab. I volunteered with my dad (a PA) in Kurdistan where we distributed aid and medicine. I graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in biology and a teaching certification in life sciences 7-12. I wanted to stay in Texas so I applied to all Texas schools, interviewed at a couple and ended up at UT Houston, my first choice.

3. What are your future goals?
I am applying into a pediatrics residency. I am not sure yet if I will subspecialize or not, but I plan on ultimately pursuing academic medicine where I can help teach, train, and mentor students. My future goals include global health and volunteering in Kurdistan as much as I can.

4. What is one piece of advice that you think is essential for potential medical school applicants?
Always be yourself and do not compare yourself to anyone else - we all have different strengths and weaknesses, and we all have different paths in life. No two people will have the same journey, and I think it's so important to remember because it's easy to think we're not good enough.​

5. What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?
I love watching football - I'm the biggest Dallas Cowboys fan! I've played soccer since I was 4 so I enjoy doing that. I also like reading and spending time with my family.​

October 2017 - Medical Student Spotlight
Sabat Ameen

Sabat Ameen
Undergraduate School:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
​
Medical School:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
1. What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I was inspired to pursue medicine after traveling back to Kurdistan in 2008 and seeing the flaws in their healthcare system. I wanted to make a difference back home and I knew I had to start here in the US. I hope to take my education and make a difference, not only in my future patients' lives, but in Kurdistan as well. 

2. Could you tell us a bit about your journey to medicine?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to help others and make a difference in the world. After being inspired by Kurdistan, I knew healthcare was the route for me in order to do so. I began to volunteer in a hospital early in high school, fundraise for St. Jude's, and work as a pharmacy technician in order to make sure I truly wanted to be a physician and not something else in healthcare. During junior year, I found out about an accelerated BA/MD program offered in my city. During senior year, I applied to the UMKC Six Year BA/MD program and was accepted. Once I graduated high school, I started working on both my BA and MD degree at the same time. I was not required to take an MCAT, so my path differs from many other students'. However, the biggest thing I learned during my journey was to try and participate in many different things in order to solidify your decision, especially if you are taking an accelerated route like me. 

3. What are your future goals?
My future goals include passing all my board examinations, starting residency in a surgical specialty (not sure which one yet!) and going back to Kurdistan to open my own clinic, which I hope to provide charity work through. 

4. What is one piece of advice that you think is essential for potential medical school applicants?
My biggest advice is to be yourself. Let your personality shine through your application. I have been interpreting for the Kurdish community here in Kansas City for many, many years. I connected that piece of my resume to being passionate about Kurdistan and its healthcare in my personal statement. Anything you put on your resume should open up a story you can converse passionately about. 

5. What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?
I love to cook outside of school. Throughout my education, I have been exposed to many different cultures and I love learning their different recipes and trying them whenever I have a chance!