Cousins' separate journey comes
together at MUSC
by Cindy
AbolePublic Relations
James Watson and Francis Crick; Pierre and Marie Curie; Meriwether Lewis and William Clark; Frederick Banting and Charles Best.
They may not be as famous as some of the world’s scientists and discoverers responsible for determining the structure of DNA or exploring America’s northwest, but Lowcountry cousins Corey Wright, M.D., and Sharee Wright, M.D., are on their way to successful careers in medicine.
Cousins, Drs. Corey
Wright and Sharee Wright.They’ve shared a kinship that has led them down separate but parallel paths only to realize a shared goal of becoming caring and effective medical professionals in South Carolina.
Bound by blood, a passion for books and scholarly achievement, they now share a love in the healing arts. Their individual success, each achieving their medical degrees today, is a testament to their commitment in reaching their dreams.
Today, Corey and Sharee join a total of 161 fellow students receiving their medical degrees. Their journey goes back to the days of kindergarten.
The pair rose from humble beginnings around the sleepy-eyed communities surrounding Lake Moultrie in Berkeley County. Corey hailed from Forty-One, a community near St. Stephens, while Sharee grew up in Bonneau.
Their link was membership at Mt. Carmel AME Church in Moncks Corner. It wasn’t long before their names, as well as their siblings' names, graced the church bulletin honoring elementary school students for honor roll achievements and other awards.
“Although it was never planned, Sharee and I shared a quiet, friendly and informal competition,” said Corey with a slight smile. “That eventually grew into a friendship and mutual respect for each other’s abilities and talents.”
Everything that Corey was recognized for Sharee was honored, too. They began their freshman and sophomore years together at Macedonia High School. Later, Sharee attended the S.C. Governor’s School of Science and Mathematics in Hartsville and graduated in 1997. For the first time, they parted and stepped out of each others' shadows.
They thrived in their respective college environments. Corey attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Sharee studied biological sciences at N.C. State University in Raleigh. Although they were less than a few hours apart, they occasionally kept in touch. Their only link was seeing each other at church during holidays and home visits.
“Although we lived around the same vicinity, we didn’t talk to each other as much. We had a communications gap for about four to five years. We weren’t as close in college as we are now since medical school,” Corey said.
One bond was their long-standing interest in medicine. Corey grew up admiring comedian Bill Cosby’s portrayal of the pragmatic and fatherly Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable of “The Cosby Show.” Since middle school, Sharee dreamed of a career as a police officer, a writer or a doctor.
But the transition from the successes of high school and college did not prepare them for the reality of medical school. Filing separately, both applied to MUSC’s medical school and were initially denied.
“It was a big disappointment,” said Sharee. She was invited to join COM’s Post-Baccalaureate Re-entry (PREP) Program managed by College of Medicine’s Deborah Deas, M.D., and Wanda Taylor, director of admissions. On her way to her interview, she ran into Corey, who also had committed to PREP.
The PREP program was created to prepare promising students who were not initially accepted into medical school. Students take a year of intense basic science study at the College of Charleston and supplemental sessions at MUSC’s Center for Academic Excellence (CAE). There, they worked with staff to gain study skills, test preparation and time management.
“Essentially, we had a year to learn how to focus and study with each other. It was well worth it,” Corey said. “Unlike fellow PREP students, Sharee and I didn’t need any transition time to get to know each other, because we already did. We jumped right in.”
Corey and Sharee clicked right from the start. They became study partners and shared similar scores throughout their PREP assignments and tests.
“They were like little sponges soaking up information that was presented and shared with them,” said Shannon Richards-Slaughter, Ph.D., assistant professor, The Writing Center at CAE. “Eventually, they learned how to utilize resources around them in their quest to become physicians. Both were tremendously committed and focused on their goals and willing to take whatever they learned and comfortably fit it within their own learning style. It was a joy to work with them.”
For the next three years, their routines were similar: class, study and practice/review. Even their medical board test scores reflected a likeness with a difference by only a couple of points between them.
Both were active, model students at MUSC. Corey served as a former co-president of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA); Student Government Association class representative; member of the Surgical and Family Medicine interest groups; and MUSC Presidential Scholar. He received the 2006 Earl B. Higgins Scholarship and the 2007 Bernard W. Deas Jr. M.D., Office of Student Diversity Award.
Sharee was a member of the American Medical Student Association; American Medical Women’s Association; former vice-president, SNMA; Minority Student Advisory Board; member of the Surgical Training and Residency interest group; and an MUSC Community Aid, Relief, Education, and Support (CARES) Medical Clinic volunteer. She was recognized for an MUSC Gives Back Volunteer Award and COM Dean’s Scholarship Award.
“Both Corey and Sharee brought a level of commitment and potential to MUSC through their love of learning and the sciences,” said Myra K. Haney, director of academics and student support in the college. “Their efforts made them a success in medical school. Their commitment to the college’s PREP program and dedication to help others show they’ve got it and want to reach back to guide others along the way. Both are models of success.”
Additionally, they are grateful to the College of Medicine’s faculty and dean’s office staff. “Everyone here is just great,” Sharee said. “I was surprised how friendly and helpful people within the college and other MUSC departments really were. It was something I wasn’t accustomed to. Growing up in the country, if anyone had a problem we would never consider asking anyone outside of the family for help.”
As of July, both will begin general surgery internships at MUSC. Corey hopes to enter a urology specialty in his residency, while Sharee wants to specialize in surgical oncology.
Whatever their path, the Wrights are holding all the aces to a bright future.
Corey couldn’t have made it without:
1. Fiancé, Deona
2. Family and friends
3. Sharee
4. Getaway trips and travel
5. Laughter
Sharee couldn’t have made it without:
1. Family, especially mom
2. Friends
3. Corey
4. Workouts
5. Shoe stores
And sister makes three
As cousins, Corey and Sharee Wright cross the stage graduating as physicians in the College of Medicine, Sharee’s older sister, Keisha, was several steps ahead of them basking in her own moment of pride.
Keisha WrightToday, Keisha received her master’s degree in cytology and biosciences as a graduate of the College of Health Professions (CHP). Her path to success at MUSC began in 2005 after Sharee brought home a flyer describing CHP’s two-year specialty program. Keisha was already working in a clinical lab at a local hospital and private practice. She was ready for a change.
“It was challenging trying to transition from being a full-time worker to a full-time student,” said Keisha with a broad smile. “But I did it. Every time I thought about quitting, another door of opportunity would open.”
Friday, May 18, 2007
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