Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarra Faulk.
Hi Tarra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Tarra Faulk, and I am from Sacramento, California, but I now call San Antonio my home. I am a nephrologist, an adult medical doctor specializing in kidney diseases, and a physician executive leader. I am a first-generation physician, and my path to medicine was non-traditional because I had a career path before starting medical school. Because of the struggles I had with just navigating how to get into medical school, my husband and I co-founded Leaders Inspiring Fruitful Tomorrows, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to providing mentoring opportunities to minority, traditionally underserved, and first-generation youth interested in going to college. We focus on students attending middle school in Bexar County, but our reach extends far beyond the state of Texas. We create opportunities for early exposure to professional persons of color in STEM (and other) career fields. We build relationships with students through frequent mentoring and guidance. We create opportunities for students and their parents/guardians to learn and make a financial plan for education. We introduce and develop soft skills in children to build them as professional leaders who can think critically. For the past two years, we have sponsored a week-long LIFT STEM Summer Academy; however, this year, we will pivot to a one-day quarterly LIFT STEM Academy. I am also the author of The Misery of Dreams: Chasing a Dream, The Price of Pursuit, and the Lessons of the Journey, which details my journey from the decision to become a doctor, the challenges of training, and into a later decision to transition from full-time clinical medicine to go into executive leadership and part-time clinical medicine.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road could have been smoother. If I were to reach for some Cali vocabulary to help describe how this journey has been, I would say, “It’s been hecka hard.” Getting into medical school alone is a challenge. Navigating life, marriage, having children, and trying to be present while pursuing a career in medicine has had its challenges, from trying to do it all without a support system to realizing how crazy that was and building a team to support us. My husband is a lawyer, and we have four exceptional children. Being a woman physician and physician leader is also challenging. Learning the ins and outs of running a nonprofit is also difficult. There are so many things that I have had to navigate, learn, and recourse. The good thing about having things that challenge you is that 1) it shows that you are pushing boundaries and not just doing the status quo, and 2) each challenge I have overcome has taught me a lesson that helps propel me forward. I use each experience that pushes and stretches me as an opportunity for growth.
Thanks. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my full-time work, I am a Network Chief Medical Officer for thirty-nine hospitals and clinics in multiple countries. I continue to see patients in the hospital as a consultant for those with medical conditions related to the kidneys, like hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney failure, those needing dialysis, those with autoimmune or infectious-related kidney diseases, and other issues. What sets me apart from others is that I work hard and genuinely believe I can do everything. I wake up with the expectation that I will accomplish great things, and I intend to live life to the fullest and be a servant in everything I do. I am most proud of being a wife and a mother. I am so blessed that I have the opportunity to have a career, a loving spouse, and beautiful children.
Before we let you go, we’ve had to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
I wish I had Google when I was younger. Now, people have Google and need to learn how to use it. My advice to anyone getting started would be to work hard, read and become knowledgeable about your business, stay humble, and always ask for help. Be sure to ask for help before you are struggling or defeated.
Pricing:
- We are a nonprofit organization that runs on support through tax-deductible donations and the work of volunteers.
- https://www.liftnpo.com/donate
Contact Info:
- Website: www.liftnpo.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/liftnpo?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadersInspiring
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/liftnpo?s=21
- Other: https://www.liftnpo.com/donate
Image Credits
Marques Davis @davisphotographytx, Serendipity Social Co @serendipitysocialco
