Her Story
About Felicita
Felicita Tayong, M.D., Ph.D., is a clinical research and healthcare professional based in Gainesville, Florida, with experience supporting academic neuroscience research and clinical research in university and hospital settings. She currently works as a Clinical Research Coordinator and has developed experience in participant screening, informed consent, specimen collection and processing, medical-record review, laboratory research, research documentation, data entry, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. She completed medical school in 2018 and has spent approximately four years building her experience in clinical research and healthcare, including work as a research fellow. She has also completed Clinical Research Fastrack's Kickstart Program, strengthening her knowledge of clinical trial operations, ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and clinical research best practices.
Tayong holds an M.D. and Ph.D. and is pursuing a Master of Public Health while studying for her medical board examinations. Her long-term professional goal is to enter residency and become a neurosurgeon, with a particular interest in neuroscience, brain, and spine care. Her commitment to medicine is deeply influenced by her experiences caring for patients, including individuals living with dementia and stroke, as well as by the example of her grandmother, who was a midwife and an important early influence on her decision to pursue medicine. Tayong takes particular pride in the relationships she builds with patients and in knowing that patients appreciate the way she works and interacts with them.
Beyond her clinical and research work, Tayong is committed to service, mentorship, and community support. She founded the Felicitas Foundation, also referred to in the provided information as the Solicitors Foundation of Monguela Grace, to assist less-privileged individuals, particularly those facing epilepsy and neurological, brain, and spine challenges. She also enjoys volunteering, meeting and encouraging people, teaching, hiking, swimming, and playing basketball, and she particularly enjoys guiding women who aspire to careers similar to her own. Looking toward the future, she hopes to establish the Felicitas Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute and continue combining clinical medicine, research, service, and mentorship in pursuit of better patient care.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Felicita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, determination, resilience, and my refusal to give up. Throughout my education and career, I have faced many obstacles, including having to work several jobs while I was a medical student to help pay for my tuition. Those experiences taught me to keep moving forward even when the path is difficult or the entire picture is not yet clear.
I believe that progress does not always happen all at once. Even when I cannot see the whole path ahead, I remind myself to keep going and to continue looking for another way forward. My ability to persevere through challenges and remain committed to my goals has been one of the most important factors in my professional growth.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to focus, especially when the voices and criticism around them become overwhelming. Know who you are, understand your value, and remain focused on the person you want to become rather than allowing other people's opinions to define you.
There will be moments when an opportunity does not turn out exactly as you expected, and there may be people who doubt you or question your abilities. I have experienced situations like this myself, particularly while pursuing a career in a field where I have often worked alongside predominantly male colleagues. My advice is not to give up when something does not happen according to plan. Look for another way forward, remain committed to your goals, and keep moving. Progress may take time, but persistence can bring you closer to where you want to be.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I have experienced in medicine, clinical research, and neuroscience is navigating a field in which women can sometimes be underrepresented. Throughout my education, including advanced physics and mathematics courses, I was sometimes the only woman in my class. I have also frequently found myself working alongside predominantly male colleagues in medical and research environments.
Although this can be challenging, I also see an important opportunity in greater representation and collaboration. I am particularly encouraged when I encounter other women in the field, and I value opportunities to work with and support them. I believe that increasing the presence of women in medicine, research, and neuroscience can create stronger professional communities and provide encouragement for the next generation.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are honesty and discipline. I believe honesty is essential to building trust with patients, colleagues, research teams, and the people I serve. Discipline is equally important because pursuing a career in medicine and neuroscience requires consistency, commitment, and the ability to continue working toward long-term goals even when circumstances are difficult.
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