"America is a melting pot. Our diversity is our strength." — Ralph Northam

When I served alongside the brave women of our armed forces, who contribute so much to our country despite often facing discrimination on the job, it only strengthened my commitment to fairness and equal pay in the workplace.

In medical school, students are immersed in the realm of medical ethics. It's where new doctors study, learn right and wrong, ask tough questions, and discuss things like end of life care, genetic testing, and patients' rights. In lots of ways, it's the most important part of being a compassionate and competent doctor.

For 25 years, I was an assistant professor teaching pediatrics, neurology, pathophysiology, and ethics at my alma mater, Eastern Virginia Medical School. It's been great training for my legislative work - we get in some debates in the classroom that would rival the General Assembly!

After high school, I attended the Virginia Military Institute and then Eastern Virginia Medical School - both great public schools that prepared me well for my career as a physician and didn't saddle me with a load of debt.