Theres something undeniably, yes, magical about being ablack womansurrounded by other black women.
Getting to know her only further stoked my pipe dream of one day becoming an ob/gyn.
Here, Dr. King drops a few gems.
Dr. Kiarra King // Photo by Michelle Thomas@theklasikkreatives
SELF: First of all, how did you get into medicine?
There was no Google at the time!
So that piqued my interest inmedicine.
My major in undergrad was actually athletic training because Ive always loved that.
So when I got to med school, I was like, Oh, I can be in orthopedics.
I was like, Mmm, nope, I dont think I want to do this.
My next choice was physical medicine and rehab, which was still in line with my interests in athletics.
But towards the end of my third year, I did my rotation in obstetrics and gynecology.
I loved the fact that it was pretty varied.
I did some outpatient stuff, I diddeliveries, I did surgeries.
But Id decided I was doing physical medicine and rehab.
I was like, Ob/gyn is great, but its not what Im doing.
SELF: So what was it that drew you to being an ob/gyn?
I love the variety of patients I get to see.
SELF: You’ve mentioned that you mainly work with people in underserved populations.
Can you explain what that means and why it’s so important to you?
They can be underserved for many reasons, like their education level or their socioeconomic status.
So I dont just come in and take their vitals and leave.
Im talking to human beings.
Im not a robot, and theyre not robots.
Just to give people a sense of hope.
Months ago I saw apregnantyoung lady.
She wasnt working or in school.
I was like, Whats your plan for when the baby comes?
And she said no one in her entire life had ever talked to her about setting goals.
I like to delve in and have these deeper conversations with my patients.
So I said, I want you to go home and just daydream.
Lets get you in that frame of mind to have you thinking about your goals.
I saw her recently; shes since had her baby and she now has a job.
We had a good talk.
Dr. King:I always tell people I don’t know, but then I usually say, God.
Hes allowed me to keep everything going.
I have the privilege of having a flexible schedule.
I say that I work part-full-time because I only work three days a week.
Its technically 30 hours, but its usually more than that because of what my job requires.
I can take her to gymnastics on Wednesday afternoon, and we can run over to the library.
I do have that flexibility that allows me to fit things in.
SELF: Self-care is a bit of an overused buzzword right now, but its important.
What does self-care look like to you?
But its so convenient!
And it helps me center my day and get my mind started on the right track.
I also thoroughly enjoy being with my family.
Were really close-knit, and we love hanging out.
Just knowing that we are living out our older family members legacy by being togetherthat pours into my soul.
I do spend a lot of time working on my blog, but I enjoy doing photo shoots.
I enjoy dolling up and getting my makeup done.
I did a collaboration with an eyelash extension brand and got to lie there and relax for two hours.
I know its not me alone meditating, butself-careis not a one-hit wonder.
Its not a monolith.
We have to get out of that way of thinking.
SELF: A lot of people find it hard to bring up concerns about their health to their doctor.
Why is advocating for yourself so importantand sometimes so hard?
Dr. King:Advocating for yourself can be easier said than done.
It can make such a difference.
Its definitely a form of self-care.
One way to make it easier is to go in with a list of questions if you might.
Would those work for me?
It at least opens up the conversation.
Then, when you have questions, you know theyre genuinely listening.
I tell people all the time: This is your body.
You get one life.
or Thanks for your time, I think Im going to seek out another provider.
Its OK to do that.
You know your body.
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
