Dr. Thomas shared her experience and process of becoming a doctor and the many decisions she made along the way. Dr. Thomas attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for both undergraduate and medical school. She shared that going to a big school after attending Newman was a challenge; however, she enrolled in UNC’s honors college to take smaller classes. She advised that though honors level courses were more challenging they were worth it because they benefitted her learning process better. Dr. Thomas expressed she did not decide to become a doctor until her junior year of undergraduate and was compelled to return for medical school to pursue a career as a OBGYN. Before medical school Dr. Thomas taught as a Spanish teacher and then incorporated her speaking skills into her medical work life. During this time Dr. Thomas also received her masters in public health and worked extremely hard to position herself positively for matching for her residency. She worked at Emory University for her residency and decided it was time to move back to New Orleans after all her medical schooling.

Dr. Thomas offered advice and opinions on multiple women’s health topics that have recently elicited worry and stress within society. She expressed that many women have worried about their access to birth control and bodily rights in recent times as well as many women sharing misconceptions about medicine and reproductive health. Dr. Thomas encouraged that all women reach out to professionals when uncertain about some medical advice to ensure safety and factual information. Overall, Dr. Thomas gifted many of us within the Newman community a look into the medical schooling process and expertise within her field of work.