GUMC Student Fathers Reflect on Their Experiences

Posted in GUMC Stories  |  Tagged School of Medicine, student experience

(June 17, 2022) — In addition to the joy and excitement of welcoming a new baby to the world, becoming parents as students at GUMC gave these fathers better time management skills, new insights into patient care, a renewed motivation to excel, and a sense of gratitude for the kindness of their classmates, faculty and staff members.

Mohamed Elsherief, MD (NHS’23): “I am blessed to have my Georgetown family”

Where were you in your education when you learned that you were going to become a father? How did that make you feel?

I found out about becoming a father in November 2021, which was the first semester of my MHSA program, just two weeks before the beginning of my finals. I was ecstatic. My wife and I had been trying since we got married in the beginning of 2021. I am excited and happy to be a father very soon, but also afraid about how well I will do the job of being a father. However, I know I will always do my best, and that’s what matters most to me.

Who were the first people you told at Georgetown that you were going to be a father? How did they react?

Dr. Christopher King and Dr. Ryung Suh were the first to know about the good news, and they both expressed their joy for me and my wife! Dr. Suh bumped into my wife and me at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital while we were headed in for a prenatal appointment, and Dr. King was very excited to declare my son the first baby of my cohort! My program coordinator, Danielle Simcic, and a few classmates knew early on as well. Everyone at Georgetown has been more than happy for me and supportive of my family. I am blessed to have my Georgetown family.

How did becoming a father impact your education?

Finding out that I will be a father has motivated me to become the best version of myself and to take every opportunity to provide the best life for my family. It pushes me to further my career, excel in my education and become a better person. I am sure juggling work and school while also helping my wife raise our son will be challenging, but we are excited to experience being parents and I know we will figure it out together. Completing my education at Georgetown is more important now than ever, and while becoming a father might make things more challenging, it also makes everything I am doing now more meaningful. All I want is for my son to be healthy, happy and be the best version of himself, and that I can be there for him anytime he needs me.

What do you want people to know about your experience becoming a father at Georgetown?

I have yet to hold my child in my arms, and to be honest, I can’t wait for this moment! I know that having children is a life-changing event. It comes with its worries and excitement; however, it’s a beautiful and rewarding feeling. At Georgetown, I found support, love and a family!

Kwadwo “Kojo” Sarpong (M’22): “Everything worked out well due to the support from my wife, classmates and family in the area”

Where were you in your education when you learned that you were going to become a father? How did that make you feel?

It was during my first year of medical school. It was exciting yet scary as well. This was our first child, so we had no clue what to expect. I was very happy that I was bringing another human into the world that I will be responsible for, but equally worried about child care. I also wondered how I would be able to combine my duties as a medical student, husband and a father. Everything worked out well due to the support from my wife, classmates and family in the area.

Who were the first people you told at Georgetown that you were going to be a father? How did they react?

The first people to know were my close friends, Dr. Anthony Anya (M’22) and Dr. Ayodeji Ajayi (M’22). They were very excited for me and my wife, since they were all at our wedding in summer 2018. I could feel their excitement when I called them to share the news. My academic family also got to know about the pregnancy at the same time, and they even offered to babysit if needed. That’s the beauty about the community here at Georgetown.

How did becoming a father impact your education?

The positives outweighed the negatives. It made me very disciplined, and I learned to prioritize important activities throughout the school year. I was going to apply into neurosurgery, so I knew I had to be excellent academically but also be there for my family. I sought out help and advice from mentors, and the neurosurgery department at Georgetown all knew about my experience. This helped a lot! I went through my pediatrics rotation with ease because I could identify certain milestones using my daughter as the benchmark.

It also changed the way I approached my neurosurgery interviews and where I’d rank high. I had to consider child care costs in the area, housing costs, school districts and if the program has a family friendly and supportive environment. On the negative side, I did not have the opportunity to explore the social aspects of my medical journey due to my commitment to my family and education. The little hanging out with my classmates I was able to do was all worthwhile!

What do you want people to know about your experience becoming a father at Georgetown? What advice do you have for others who might be interested in becoming a parent as a student?

Looking back, the experience was challenging but completely worth it. I believe Georgetown is very intentional about the students they recruit. This is a very supportive environment for parents. I remember during the pandemic, the administration checked on me and my family to make sure we had everything we needed. This is the kind of community that allows parents to thrive while being excellent clinicians. Don’t stress about things you can’t control. Focus on the basics and take it one day at a time. I would not change anything about my experience.

Evan Todd (M’24): “If you and your spouse are ready, then go for it”

Where were you in your education when you learned that you were going to become a father? How did that make you feel?

I was just finishing my first year of medical school when I found out that I was going to be a father. Overall, my wife and I were very excited! I was also stressed because I knew the due date would be right between the end of my final exams and the start of dedicated study time for the first medical board exam that we take. The board exam had been recently changed to pass/fail instead of scoring, so that helped to alleviate some stress. The time when my son was born ended up being perfect, as I was able to be home for two weeks before his birth and then the first three months after he was born. My wife and I were able to settle into becoming parents during this time before I started my clinical year.

Who were the first people you told at Georgetown that you were going to be a father? How did they react?

I first told some of my classmates and everyone was congratulatory and happy for me. Two of my classmates who were already fathers were very supportive and reassured me that being a father in medical school is challenging but doable and the most rewarding experience. In terms of administration, the first person I told was Tom Guarino [assistant dean of student support and wellbeing] who was my preclinical advisor. Tom was excited for me and also helpful in getting me in touch to plan ahead with the other deans. Everyone in administration was very supportive and helped me plan ahead for final exams and the board exam. Dean Taylor from the Office of Student Learning made time to specifically meet with me and help create a study plan for the board exam as a new father.

How did becoming a father impact your education?

Becoming a father definitely added extra responsibilities in addition to my studying. I have less time to relax and have more chores like cleaning bottles and changing diapers, but with my wife’s help, I am able to get all my work and studying done. As a clinical student now, I think being a father has improved my ability to connect with patients who are also parents. In July, I start my pediatrics rotation, and I know I will be more comfortable interacting with babies than I would’ve been a year ago.

What do you want people to know about your experience becoming a father at Georgetown? What advice do you have for others who might be interested in becoming a parent as a student?

Everyone at Georgetown has been extremely supportive and accommodating to ensure I can accomplish everything expected of me as a medical student and as a father and husband. There is never a perfect time to have kids as a medical student, so if you and your spouse are ready, then go for it. You will need support from friends and family, and in my experience, the Georgetown faculty will support you as a student.

Junyi Zhang (G’24), pursuing a doctorate in biostatistics: “I really believe that we have a very accommodating working/study environment here at Georgetown”

Where were you in your education when you learned that you were going to become a father? How did that make you feel?

I was in my first year (spring semester) when I knew I was going to be a father. At the very beginning, I didn’t even believe it when my wife told me. Then I was excited. But then the pandemic started. I felt a lot of uncertainty about how things were going to be.

Who were the first people you told at Georgetown that you were going to be a father? How did they react?

Minnie An, the assistant director of administration and graduate studies of my department, was the first person I told at Georgetown. She was very happy for me, and asked if I would like her to share the news with the chair. I was glad to share the news and the name of my daughter as well.

How did becoming a father impact your education?

I needed to learn better to balance my time between baby caring and study (and caring for my wife as well). It wasn’t easy for the first couple months, especially when the baby needed feeding overnight. Gradually, I managed to be more efficient in both study and baby caring.

What do you want people to know about your experience becoming a father at Georgetown? What advice do you have for others who might be interested in becoming a parent as a student?

Becoming a parent as a student brings joy and (sometimes) anxiety. Do reach out to friends, classmates, faculty and staff whenever the hardship occurs. Perhaps, the support from them would be beyond one’s expectation. I really believe that we have a very accommodating working/study environment here at Georgetown.