Mykera Robinson

I attribute my success to both my parents and my own self-motivation. As a first-generation scholar with immigrant parents from the Caribbean, I often navigated the academic and college process independently, but their influence still played a key role in shaping my discipline and confidence. From an early age, they encouraged me to find my voice, pursue my interests in both academics and the arts, and remain true to myself without being limited to one path. While we have experienced generational and cultural differences, I remain grateful for the foundation they provided, which continues to motivate and ground me in my personal and professional growth.

The best career advice I would say is that this is my own journey. I kind of struggled with that imposter syndrome, kind of struggled with finding myself and my path and comparing myself to my peers' accomplishments, especially being at such a rigorous institution. But just remembering that this is my journey, and it doesn't have to be like everyone else's, or that I can craft what I want it to be. That's kind of kept me pushing and motivated, especially when my final goal is to go to medical school and possibly get my PhD. Just remembering that this is my journey and that everything happens for a good reason.

My advice to young women entering my field is to stay grounded in your purpose and remain confident in your abilities, even when external challenges arise. There will be moments when you are underestimated or face barriers related to gender, identity, race, or background, but it is important not to let those define your trajectory. Instead, use those experiences as fuel to strengthen your resilience and commitment to your goals. While it can be exhausting at times, growth often comes through perseverance. Trust in your capacity to push through difficulties, stay true to yourself, and focus on building the legacy you want to leave behind.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field is the rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in improving efficiency and supporting diagnostics through tools like imaging analysis and early disease detection. However, it is important that AI is used to enhance, not replace, human judgment and creativity in medicine. At the same time, key challenges include ensuring cultural competence so patients feel understood and valued, addressing unequal access to specialists and quality care, and managing provider burnout. These issues highlight the need for healthcare professionals who are both skilled and deeply committed to empathy, advocacy, and patient-centered care.

In both my work and personal life, I prioritize integrity and diligence, consistently striving to be dependable, honest, and committed to doing my best in everything I take on. I value acting with honesty and doing the right thing even when it is not seen, as I believe this builds trust and fosters a strong, productive environment. Just as importantly, I place a high value on empathy in my personal life—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. I believe empathy is essential for building meaningful relationships, strengthening trust, and supporting positive, healthy connections while helping reduce conflict and burnout.