What does it take to transform obstacles into opportunities? Major M. Tiye Young knows firsthand. When deployment orders arrived just days before her PA school application deadline, she didn't abandon her medical dreams—she recalibrated. When a cervical cancer diagnosis threatened her future, she fought back with unwavering resolve. Now, as both a military leader and surgical PA, she's redefining what resilience looks like in healthcare.

This conversation takes us behind the scenes of Major Young's extraordinary journey from Army service to acute care surgery and gynecologic oncology. She shares the raw reality of balancing night shifts in a trauma center with military duties, including her recent command of 1,500 National Guardsmen during Hurricane Helene's devastating aftermath. The leadership skills she's honed through military service translate seamlessly to the operating room, where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death.

Perhaps most powerfully, Major Young reveals how her personal battle with cancer transformed her approach to patient care. Walking into the same hospital room where she once received treatment—this time as the provider rather than the patient—created a full-circle moment that fuels her compassion daily. She now advocates fiercely for patients showing subtle symptoms others might dismiss, remembering how her own body gave warning signs before her diagnosis.

Major Young's story isn't just about personal achievement—it's about creating pathways for others. As a Black female PA who grew up without access to healthcare providers who looked like her, she's committed to visibility and mentorship for underrepresented communities. Through social media and direct mentorship, she shows pre-health students that their backgrounds don't determine their potential.

Whether you're pursuing a healthcare career, serving in the military, or simply searching for inspiration to overcome life's unexpected challenges, Major Young's perspective will leave you with renewed purpose and an expanded vision of what's possible when you refuse to give up.

Follow her incredible journey on instagram @tymcarolina_

Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. At Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and secure your place in medicine.

Check out our pre-health resources. Great for pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, pre-therapy students or anyone else with an upcoming interview!
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