Kameelah Rahmaan-Russel, DO (COM ’14)
Many of our students, like our July featured alumna Kameelah Rahmaan-Russell (COM ’14), share a more non-traditional route to KCU. The support provided to non-traditional students was something Kameelah was looking for in her medical school.
“I’m not sure if osteopathic medical schools specifically go out of their way to provide additional support to non-traditional students, but I have found that to be the case at KCU. When I was applying for medical schools, I really wanted to be in an environment that provided support, especially with regard to my family,” said Kameelah.
Originally from California, Kameelah spent her first year in medical school without her husband and three daughters (one born six months before she started school!) Thankfully, the support she received from new friends and faculty helped her through, and her family joined her during her second year.
Learning “how to be a medical student,” as well as being a mother and wife, was important to Kameelah. Now in the middle of residency rotations in Texas, that balancing act continues.
“The challenges I face, and continue to face, are ones that are common amongst non-traditional students. I understood what I was getting into and it has always been important to me to balance doing well in school, my family, as well as being involved in the community. While it has been very time-demanding, they are the things that help me remember why I am here,” she said.
While her schedule is currently full, Kameelah plans to remain engaged with the KCU community in the future.
