Live footage of how I felt opening my email this morning. BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST. You see this is the same exam that I was warned about way back in medical school when I started exploring dermatology as a specialty during M1 year. I still remember the first time I expressed that I was considering dermatology as a specialty in a relatively large group (oops 😅). The looks of shock and doubt that were cast from the receiving end in that moment quickly taught me that certain dreams can be killed prematurely if not protected for the right time and safe space. This is the same board exam I heard about as one of the main reasons for needing very high USMLE 1 and USMLE 2 medical board exam scores as a requisite to match into dermatology. This is the same board exam that I timed to take in July 2020 but got pushed to October 2020 in the middle of my fellowship year because of the pandemic. Well it’s finally over, and I’m adding capital “FAAD” (Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology) to my name 💁🏾‍♀️. Here’s to providing excellent care for my patients and pushing forward in areas of unmet need. Here’s to bringing every piece of me and everyone who relates to my story to the table.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ ✅ 4 years undergraduate university ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ✅ 4 years medical school ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ✅ 1 year internship ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ✅ 3 years dermatology residency ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ✅ Board Certification⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Special shoutout to my village for lifting me up and over 🙏🏾.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ 📸 @piecesofonye ⁣⁣⁣ 💇🏾‍♀️ @marjthestylist ⁣⁣⁣ 💄 @makeupbykai