Dr. Taina Lucien, PT, DPT In less than 24 hours, I’ll be walking across the stage to receive my doctorate degree. At 23 years old at that. I’m having a hard time articulating what this means to me. But I know this for sure: this degree is bigger than myself. This degree is for my parents. I owe them everything. They sacrificed so much to afford me the opportunities I’ve been given in a country where so many obstacles are placed against them. It’s the success of a lifetime alone to see their proud faces. I thank God for their love and wisdom. To the black community: In a world where healthcare is as invaluable as ever, we are still so underserved and often our struggles shrugged off. I’m here. I’m fighting for us. And you will always be safe in my care. To the little girls out there like me, who struggle with their confidence. Who second guess themselves constantly. You’re everything you need to be. Trust yourself. Thank you to my friends and family who were there through it all. You all know how much you mean to me and I could not have done it without you.