Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Malone.
Hi Briana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Dr. Briana Malone and I am a retail Pharmacist and the founder of the Health Her Way Scholarship Fund. Since high school, I’ve always said I wanted to start a nonprofit to help African American women in their journey into the healthcare and medical field. I just didn’t know when or how. I enjoy talking to other young ladies about my journey through pharmacy school and my journey as a pharmacist, and I love encouraging young women to pursue their dreams and go for what they want no matter how difficult it may seem.
In 2020, the pandemic hit, and all I could think about is the burden of money on everyone around the world due to the virus and businesses closing up and laying people off. I also thought about all the students in school or wanting to pursue a career in the healthcare field and how I couldn’t imagine doing all that work remotely, without classmates to help push you, support each other, and study together. One day, it just hit me.
The pandemic really took a toll on many minds and I just wanted to focus on something positive, so I decided that a way to help African American women in the city I love, where I was raised and made me who I am, is to help with some of the cost of pursuing their career with a scholarship! I started brainstorming names, doing research, and the rest is history!
I launched Health Her Way officially on February 1, 2021.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Putting yourself and something you’re really passionate about out there is never easy and can be very scary.
My biggest struggle was getting out of my own way and just going for it and doing it. With all the support from my friends, family, and the city of Memphis, it has been surprisingly smooth getting the word out about the scholarship and getting applicants.
The first year, we had 30 plus African American women from Memphis interested in the scholarship. Memphis is full of aspiring medical and healthcare professionals ready to make a change, and I’m excited to help in their journey.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Health Her Way scholarship program was established in 2021 and awards two $1,500 scholarships to two African American women from Memphis, TN pursuing a career in the healthcare or medical field. To be eligible for this year’s scholarship, you must be an African American woman from Memphis, TN pursuing a career in the healthcare or medical field, have a 3.5 GPA, submit one recommendation letter, and write a 500-1000 word essay or present a creative way to answer the prompt questions: Why healthcare is important to you? Why did you choose your field? The scholarship is the start of a bigger community for aspiring African American women in the medical and healthcare professionals to be inspired, mentored, and guided through their journey by other African American women in the medical field from Memphis. I want readers to know how passionate I am about the growth of the city of Memphis as well as the amazing young women raised in the city. I just want to continue to help and continue to inspire young women to do the work, work hard, follow their dreams, and make a difference in the lives of others.
It’s already hard going through medical school or any healthcare professional institution, but it’s even harder as an African American woman, but let’s set the standard! Let’s beat the odds! Let’s help each other! Let’s make a difference and help increase the number of us in the healthcare field! We’re needed! If you are or know anyone in the medical field and would like to help mentor our scholarship recipients or give tips and resources, please feel free to contact me.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Shadowing is a great resource. Find someone in the field or practice that you are interested in and reach out to them to see if they will allow you to shadow them for a day or a few days so that you can really see your future in action. I reached out to an independent retail pharmacy and a hospital as an undergrad student to ask questions and see the day of a pharmacist in two different environments.
This really helped me learn what kind of pharmacist I wanted to be. Also, try to connect with other people in your community that are interested in the same profession as you. Create a bond, encourage each other, research all the avenues your profession has to offer and try to learn as much information as you can about it. I also created a relationship with a pharmacist in my community and a family friend in the profession, that to this day, I still interact with and learn from.
At times, it may seem easier to be quiet about your dreams and aspirations, but I’m here to tell you to let it be known! You never know who’s watching and who knows someone that can help you and give you more guidance and resources to make it happen. This can even turn into a lifetime connection. I hope my work opens the doors for many other young African American women and expands to new heights in the years to come.
Contact Info:
- Email: HealthHerWay@gmail.com
- Website: HealthHerWay.org
- Instagram: @Health_HerWay
