Latonya Riddle-Jones, M.D., Class of 2008

Wayne was a community for me. We came to class and became family, even in a class of over 200 students. It was a time of challenge, excitement, tears and perseverance. I met students who were from across the nation, various ages and stages of life, with diversity of cultures and ideas. 

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Wayne State University School of Medicine

I wanted to go to the Wayne State University School of Medicine for many reasons. I remember visiting on a Saturday morning, when I was an undergraduate student in the Charles Drew Program at Michigan State University, and having the opportunity to meet amazing African American physicians who were leaders in academic medicine, such as the late great Dr. Silas Norman Sr. and Dr. Charles Vincent. Dr. Eric Ayers is a graduate of MSU and he would come to speak to the students in our pre-med program. These physicians and professors exemplified excellence, servant leadership and knowledge. I wanted to be like them. I also knew that the training that I would receive and the clinical experiences in all of the hospitals surrounding the medical campus would be second to none.

Wayne was a community for me. We came to class and became family, even in a class of over 200 students. It was a time of challenge, excitement, tears and perseverance. I met students who were from across the nation, various ages and stages of life, with diversity of cultures and ideas.  It was a great melting pot of scientists. We studied hard and we played hard. Staying up and studying together in various nooks and crannies, and celebrating after every exam by finding new hangouts in the city. We celebrated birthdays together and supported each other during life’s challenging moments. I was a student leader on the Student Senate, external vice president of the Black Medical Association, active in the student section of the American Medical Association and many community service activities.

The focus is training physicians who will care for any and everyone. Students learn everything they need to know to practice medicine in an exceptional manner. They will learn the anatomy and pathology, but also about social determinants that contribute to health outcomes. Wayne students can work independently, but also work in interdisciplinary teams and with medical students at various levels in learning communities and as near peers in some courses. There are opportunities to learn through service learning and community outreach, so learning is not confined to the classroom.

The people you will serve and care for will appreciate you. That appreciation will motivate you to do your best and to continue to serve. The students make this school great. They bring new ideas and experiences, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the school. The students are shaping the new Social Justice curriculum and making sure that we train physicians who can take care of any patient who walks into our offices and hospitals. We have a legacy of excellence here at WSU that started long before I came and will continue after I am gone. Being a part of that legacy and enhancing it is the reason to come to the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Latonya Riddle-Jones, M.D., Class of 2008, is an assistant professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine