As more and more young Memphians are mapping out what moves to make to close in on their career goals, the NexGen Internship Program acts a catalyst during their transition from pupils to professionals.
Meet NexGen Heaven Newson, Choose901 Alumni, graduate of the Collegiate School of Memphis—and current student at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society.
I’m Heaven Newson, a 6w5 Enneagram type that is quite introverted but can work a room if I wanted to (I typically don’t). I enjoy reading, going to concerts, eating, traveling, and being able to sleep in. I love spending quality time with my family and friends and have a dog named Chip that I think is very chaotic but it’s what makes him, him.
We Sat down with NexGen Heaven Newson to talk shop about the Nexgen Experience.
What are you passionate about?
I’m most passionate about health equality and equity for minority groups. This pushes my desire to be an OBGYN to assist in ensuring that Black women have access to safe and quality care as it relates to their reproductive rights and outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth. After graduation, I want to pursue a career in medicine with hopes of one day becoming a doctor.
Who inspires you to keep working towards your passions?
My mom inspires me most and I think that a lot of traits and quirks I have are because of her.
Your nexgen fellowship is wrapping up, so let's rewind to the beginning—Why did you choose to pursue the NexGen fellowship? What did you get out of the experience?
I wanted to pursue the NexGen fellowship because I knew that Choose901 Alumni and City Leadership as a whole had connections and knowledge of the city and all that it offered that I didn’t exactly have. I knew what I wanted an internship to look like, but I wasn’t sure where or if it was possible.
I hope to better understand healthcare more not only as it relates to physician and provider care but also in terms of administration. I hope to be able to have a better understanding of the multiple different parts that go into affecting the ways people interact with medicine.
Describe how you have grown personally and professionally through this fellowship.
Personally, I believe that I have been able to use my personality traits to gain more casual and enjoyable interactions with people around me. Professionally, I’ve been able to learn a lot, not only about Church Health Center, but about the importance of understanding and help that patients should get not only from healthcare providers but from everyone involved in determining care.
What have you been doing in your Nexgen Fellowship?
I am a referrals intern at Church Health Center and assist in scheduling patients, reconciling their appointment records, and also gaining clinical experience when I shadow in the clinic.
What advice do you have for the next group of NexGen fellows?
Enjoy your internship and all of the things that come with it because it’ll all happen fast!
Memphis advances when we work together to pour into rising young talent, like NexGen Heaven Newson, who are fearlessly forging their own path.
We are always looking for new opportunities for our next round of NexGen interns! Interested in learning more about the program? Want to play an active role in building a better Memphis?
