Her Story
About Wala'a
I wanted to do something that would give change to the world, because I saw how things were either inaccessible or just basically determined on where you lived - where and how and what your life turned out to be. I wanted to try to make a difference somehow in some way for healthcare, especially because I lived overseas and saw how much different it was here. I'm a first-generation student who started from scratch, and I restarted four times going back and forth between here and Lebanon. No school there would take anything from here, and vice versa. That also helped me realize what a privilege it is to be in education - I think of education as a human right, not just a privilege. I work as a community mentor based in Michigan, working with healthcare students across the state of Michigan. I also work with a nonprofit called Muslim Premeds, where I'm the mentorship committee lead mentoring over 400 students. It's challenging at times, especially because you realize how little people have direction when it comes to help in certain areas, or what to do next, or just even general life things. Some people would be studying with no electricity, no internet, versus someone who's complaining because they didn't do well on a test. I had no one to help me - a lot of the things I found out on my own, like how to study for the MCAT, how to apply, what classes to take, what even is becoming a doctor. No one in my family has above a high school diploma. I've never had a mentor in a sense of a mentor - if it's gonna happen, it's gonna be because of me, and I need to make it happen.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Wala'a
01What do you attribute your success to?
Mostly, honestly, because the only being that was there, or the only presence that was there with me, regardless of anything at all, would be first God, and then after Him, my mother. So I would say both God and my mom, and just my perseverance to want even when I fall. I love failing because it just teaches me so many more new ways, or so many new more perspectives or mindsets I could have had that I wouldn't have had had it just continued on. Had I not restarted those four times, like going back and forth between overseas, there's so many people I would have met or opportunities I wouldn't have had. I see failure as a growth opportunity - every time I fail or restart or have to do everything over, it teaches me so much.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One thing I would say - this might be a cliche, but never doubt using your younger self as a role model. Would your younger self be able to see you now? What would she want to see in you? Are you achieving the dreams your younger self had? Is the potential and passion still there? I would actually say one of my own role models was my younger self, because I've been through a lot in my life, like both in terms of mental abuse, physical abuse, the whole thing. If she could see me now, and using her as a push, like I'm gonna do this no matter what anyone says, is someone I would consider a role model.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I do see opportunity 100%, because the generation coming into medicine is more open-minded. In surgery and orthopedics, it is still more male-dominated. One barrier I feel like that is consistent, even with the growing mindset, is people in the field itself turning on each other and sabotaging each other just to have the opportunity for themselves - like gatekeeping opportunities, not helping people. Even as a mentor, I know for a fact people I help take advantage of my time. I know specific people who would just be like, use you and throw you away kind of thing. We don't expect anything in return, my team and I, but it's just sometimes very disrespectful. They come off as ordering us, making sure we do what they want, rather than seeking how to look better.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Number one, I would say, is honesty. Like, be true to yourself, what you think, what you do, who you are, what you provide. If you can't do something, just say you can't. Number two is authenticity, 100%. And then maybe respect - like, know where you stand and be receptive to those around you. Your story isn't the same as everyone else's. Be patient, be present, and be responsive, and make sure you have an open mindset, an unconditional open mindset. Even if you don't agree with what the other person is saying, they deserve to be heard.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Michigan
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.