Keni Hervie always had an interest in medicine, but for a long time, she didn’t give it much consideration—it was a big goal that felt overwhelming. In high school, she excelled in many different areas, from languages to creative writing to science, leaving her unsure which career path to pursue.

Then her world changed. Her father and brother both became chronically ill and Keni saw firsthand what medicine could do. She watched her family struggle through diagnoses, adjust to new routines, manage medications and uncertainty. The support and kindness her family received from doctors, nurses and social workers stayed with her, and the voice inside her encouraging medicine grew louder.

“It was so inspiring to see my dad and brother being cared for, and I kept thinking, ‘If I have the ability to be this type of person for somebody else, then why not?’ Even though it was one of the hardest times in my life, I attribute that experience to where I am today.”

Keni enrolled in biology for her undergraduate degree and, after a lot of reflection and prayer, she applied to medical school. She was thrilled to be accepted into UBC’s Faculty of Medicine’s MD Undergraduate Program and honoured to receive the Doctors of BC Bursary in Medicine.

“This financial support means the world to me, and it came at an especially crucial time in my life,” she says. “Last year I lost my father which was devastating—he always encouraged me to become a doctor, and I wish he had lived to see me accomplish it. This bursary came as a gift when I needed it most, not only financially, but also as a sign of hope that things would be okay.”

Now entering her third year, Keni plans to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine and is looking forward to her rotations so she can apply what she’s learned in class over the last two years. She is also passionate about mentoring and supporting women of colour, and was recently President of the Black Medical Students Association at UBC. She hopes that, as a physician, she can improve outcomes for all women, especially women of colour.

“I know there are healthcare disparities for women of colour, and it is my goal to help create change,” she says. “Even if I don’t go into obstetrics and gynecology, I’m excited to promote Black people in medicine which I think is very important. There are so few of us but if we support each other, we can build a stronger, more representative medical community.”