A Thankful Announcement from TUSPM Student President

Thanksgiving Message from Sharon Dei-Tumi, Class President - TUSPM Class of 2024

Thanksgiving is around the corner and as an immigrant, I have come to appreciate the two main questions that are paramount to this season: “what breathable clothes can help conceal all the food I plan to eat?” and “who will be featured on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?!” Of course, there is the occasional “what am I thankful for?” but let’s be honest, we normally don’t think too much about that until we are prompted at the dinner table - or so I have gathered. This year, the biggest question on my mind is, if I were to host three people for a thanksgiving dinner, who would I invite and why?

The first person I would have seated at my Thanksgiving table is Nelson Mandela. As a global citizen, I regard Nelson Mandela’s life as a great example of selfless leadership. A quality that is very important, yet rare to find. Additionally, his journey echoes the struggles of inferiority faced by many all over the world. A struggle so real and yet to be overcome. As a future physician with hopes of helping to transform podiatric healthcare in Africa through the establishment of teaching hospitals, I would like to know how he looked past all the potential obstacles and served with such integrity and passion.

Next on the list will be my younger brother. His presence at the table reminds me of where I came from. My roots. My family. My support. As an anchor of sorts, my brother serves as an ever-present reminder of the sacrifice my family made to secure my future. He is here to ground my decisions and keep my eye on the goal - to ensure that others back home, through my enterprise are afforded similar opportunities to achieve their best self. Also, as a proud member of Gen Z with a healthy appetite for human rights and equity, my brother’s contributions will help reel in the dinner conversations to reflect issues of current relevance.

My third Thanksgiving guest, well that’s a wild card! As a future public health physician, I value teamwork. As such, my final guest will be selected by Nelson Mandela and my brother. Since life doesn't always go as planned, over the years I have learned to be open minded and embrace spontaneity. Sometimes the most influential people in your life are the ones least expected. In allowing my first two guests to select the third, we all leave the dinner knowing that we made an impact in each other's lives.

This list may change tomorrow but dinner would be ready at seven. Not a minute earlier or later.