Life & Work with Mia Monk

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Monk.

Hi Mia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started from humble beginnings. I’m originally from Oakland, CA. I was raised by my Mother – who I adore. I am the youngest of six siblings and my Mother carried us all on her back. At times, we struggled – a lot actually. I always say the most valuable item in our home was the love we shared as a family. I made up my mind at a young age that I did not want to become a victim of my circumstances or be a product of my environment. I wanted more out of life. I knew whatever career path I chose, I wanted it to have an impact on the lives of the people I would work with. I left home at the age of 17 to attend college in SoCal, and who would’ve thought that almost ten years later I would soon be calling myself a Doctor!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were so many challenges and so many obstacles, I would be here all day if I detailed each of them. But, the most challenging experience I had on my journey was losing my sister to a senseless act of gun violence and hatred. My big sister was the best big sister ever – I was always her baby no matter how old I got, We were sisters but also the greatest friends. When she was murdered it was like a beat from my heart went missing, and because of that my heart will never beat the same without her. I found out about her passing 6-months before I was supposed to take the first part of the United States medical license exam. Within those 6-months, I planned her funeral and attended court hearings for her case. Studying was harder than it ever had been. I dealt with guilt for being a way from my family in order to prep for this exam because I knew we all needed each other during that time. It was so hard to navigate my way through the grief I was experiencing. So, I began therapy for the first time in my life. (side note – I legit feel like everyone should do therapy at least once in their lives!). Through the grace of God and the listening ears of my therapist, I was able to find balance again in this new life without physically having my sister with me. I had to push myself to keep going, and most of all, I had to do it for my sister because she would not have wanted me to stop.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently in my last year of medical school, and I am in the process of applying to a residency. Residency is like a doctor’s first job after medical school. My area of focus as a doctor will be women’s health. I believe women are one of our vulnerable patient populations, especially in this new post-roe climate that we are in. In my role as a doctor, I hope to serve as an advocate, protector, and educator for women as it relates to their health and wellness. What really pushed me to pursue a focus in women’s health is the maternal mortality rate in the United States. Black women are 3-times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and most of these deaths are preventable. This made me want to get into the field and on the front lines to help reduce this disparity. Black women should not be left to feel afraid to build a family because we are at a higher risk of dying in the process.

My advocacy for my patients will not be limited to the walls of the hospital but I aim to take my advocacy outside of the hospital and into communities both locally and abroad. I recently partook in the Edx Course hosted by Stanford University which provided the fundamentals on what encompasses international women’s health and human rights. I learned so much, and I am really excited to learn even more and begin my training in the field as a doctor.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I have experience with using music as a form of healing/therapy. Sounds carry different frequencies that can allow for our brains to respond in a way that promotes relaxation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monkmedicine/?hl=en

Image Credits
Photographer: Tony Prince Photography / IG: @Tonyprincephotography