After Haiti, Gerby Jean-Noel Wants to Help Others Through Trauma

At UMKC, the students are our story. Look, listen and learn about us through interviews, photographs and videos of our students. Read the rest of the student stories and go to our tumblr site and follow.

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We’d love to hear from you at mcom@umkc.edu about students, faculty and staff who have great stories to share.

GERBY JEAN-NOEL

Bachelors of Arts in Chemistry and Philosophy | College of Arts and Sciences | Pre-Med | 2018

Why did you choose UMKC?

I love the diversity. There are people here from so many different countries, so many different backgrounds. I enjoy that.

What made you decide to pursue being a doctor?

I am from Haiti, and when I was living there, I thought I’d pursue law school. The earthquake hit (2010) and my friends helped others through a mobile hospital. I want to help people through their trauma. I would love to be a surgeon. I’ve shadowed a doctor in the ICU.

What motto do you live by?

The seven Army values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. I am in the ROTC.

Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?

UMKC is not the first school or college I’ve been to, but when I started here, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do as far as my career. The environment and the people — mainly the faculty and staff — here make me feel great about myself, and that’s when I realize that I have a lot of potential and I can do great.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received from a professor?

One of the best pieces of advice I received was from Tammy Welchert. She told me I am smart, but I need to get to know myself and figure out what I like and can be good at in order to choose the right major. Tammy is my favorite here at the school. She’s really responsive, and always available to help. I don’t think she is only like that with me. I think she just helps every student who comes to her office with an issue.

What’s your greatest fear?

I had fears in the past, but when I joined the military, I learned in basic combat training how to face my fears. So now, I guess my greatest fear is to be afraid and not try things I want and need to do.