A personal essay by Janita Aidonia (DO ’26)
I have wanted to be an OB-GYN since the age of three. Back then, I dreamed of being
a surgeon, without yet understanding the full weight or meaning of that calling. As
a child, this specialty was known to me as being a “baby doctor.” It would not be
until nearly two decades later, during my master's in public health (MPH), that I
would be reconciled with my purpose in obstetrics and gynecology.
The summer before I embarked on my MPH, I read a book written by a pediatrician called
The Deepest Well. I learned about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), their impact on the child's
body, and even more, the physiological impact within adulthood. I learned how trauma
is passed through generations. I also learned that access to quality and equitable
mental health care and treatment was limited in almost every specialty, including
psychiatry itself, and this had a more malignant impact on black and brown patients
and communities.
My passion has always been centered around women and women’s health; learning about
the state of mental health and what we currently offer as a medical field inspired
me. After reflecting on my own childhood, growing up in a single-parent, low-income
home, I could relate firsthand to what the book discussed, and I felt compelled and
purposefully placed to help make a difference.
My dream is to target the maternal period to combat both the lack of access to care and the transmission of intergenerational
trauma. If maternal patients can receive routine treatment and care for their personal
mental health needs, they can not only have improved outcomes, but also decrease the
risk of passing ACEs, trauma, and unhelpful coping skills to their children. If we
can positively impact “mom”, we can positively impact the whole family.
This dream led me to collaborate with a team of OB-GYNs and maternal health providers
on a research project focused on improving access to mental health care for maternal
patients. Together, we developed and evaluated a curriculum designed to equip OB-GYN
residents with the tools to identify and address low-level mental health concerns
in their patients.
I will be an OB-GYN and Public Health Scientist who puts together community programs
for women. One who implements trauma-informed and preventative care. To use my MPH
skills and my concentration in policy and advocacy to advocate and develop policies
for my patients.
The Primary Care Scholarship Program with Jefferson Health’s Lehigh Valley Health
Network (LVHN) holds so much purpose for me. In it, I was chosen; selected by a team
of physicians, specifically, OB-GYNs. To me, this means that they see me, they believe
in me and my capabilities, and the work that I aspire to do.
I will never forget the moment I opened the congratulations email. I will always remember
the day I signed the employment agreement; my name was listed at the top, “Janita
Aidonia,” and under it, written, “Position: Physician.” This is a dream come true.