Shantell Ceaser knows about hard work. The single mom will proudly add ‘MD’ to her title as she graduates from Meharry Medical College this month. The young doctor has come full circle as she prepares to return to her home state of Louisiana for an internal medicine residency. But for Ceaser, the road to medicine hasn’t always been an easy one.

One of four siblings, she watched helplessly as her sister became ill and later was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. “I was young, and my family didn’t have insurance,” she explained. “We had to travel back and forth to Shreveport (three hours each way) to get a diagnosis. It was tough because I wanted my sister to get the help she needed, but that meant our family had to be apart.”

At age six, Ceaser’s parents gave her a gift that would change her life: a doctor’s kit. “Ever since then I knew I wanted to be a physician,” she said. “After my sister got sick, I knew I’d go back to my community and treat patients.”

Going Home

On Meharry’s Match Day, Ceaser got her wish. This summer she and her son Elijah, 6, will return to her hometown of Lafayette for a three-year residency. It was one of four programs to which she applied.

“I didn’t know what I would get, but I knew I wanted to go home,” said Ceaser, whose family and close friends still reside in the area. She hopes to eventually specialize in geriatrics – a passion she developed while working in VA nursing homes – and also work with low-income populations.

“During college, I didn’t have insurance so it’s very important to me to take care of the community,” she said. “Every person deserves a chance to see a doctor. It will be very special to take care of the underserved because that’s the type of community I came from. It’s important for me to be in a community like that.”

A Balancing Act

So how does a single mom successfully navigate med school while raising a young child? With ample grace, love and prayer, she said.

“Meharry is a different program,” said Ceaser, who arrived in Nashville with her then 11-month old son in 2010. “They’re understanding. They didn’t give me an excuse but moral support. My dean (Millard Collins, MD) had an open door policy and could just tell if I was having a good or bad day. He or the others in the office would always encourage me. ‘How are you today? How is Elijah?’ They knew I was a med student but also a mom. It’s so simple, but when I had a rough day they recognized that.”

That grace extended to the occasional days young Elijah would accompany his mom to class, where he would form friendships among students and professors. Ceaser also credits God and the support of her family for getting her through those long rotations.

“It’s been the most amazing experience,” Ceaser said. “When I applied and interviewed for the post-bach program, I could see that everyone is family here, and I knew it would be best for me and my son.”

Continuing Meharry’s Mission

Ceaser also is passionate about Meharry’s mission: “Worship of God through service to mankind.” While she anticipates a return to Louisiana, she hopes to one day return to the college that gave her a chance.

“I feel that because of what Meharry has done for me – by not judging me or treating me like a burden – and letting me know that as long as I can do the work I’m accepted, one day I’d like to return to teach here. I want to be a part of Meharry again.”

Her advice to other nontraditional students is to determine what your ultimate dream is and pursue it. “Find out what’s really important,” she said. “I wanted to do better, and it was always my dream not only to be a doctor but to be in a better position to take care of my son. You’ll have good days and bad days, but if you continue to believe in yourself, pray and have faith in God, you can do it.”

While being a single parent in med school is no easy feat, Ceaser said being very intentional with her time as a mom made it work. “I didn’t have a lot of time off so for me what little time I got off, I made special,” she said. “I know it’s tough for moms who work all the time and feel guilty. When I left school, it was just Elijah and me for the next few hours. I tell other single parents to be encouraged. You can always make time for your child. It’s the special time together that matters.”

That commitment has made a big impression on a special little boy – now a rising first grader with plans to save lives as a firefighter.

“Elijah’s excited,” Ceaser said. “He knows what a doctor does and brags on me. On Match Day, he told me, ‘Congratulations Mom, I’m very proud of you.’”

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WEB: www.mmc.edu

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