Reproductive Health Chat with The Period Doctor

 I attended the Women’s Health Initiative Q&A: Reproductive Health Chat with the Period Doctor hosted by the Spelman College Health Careers Club. The speaker was Charis Chambers, a Spelman alumna, OB/GYN, and pediatric and adolescent gynecologist, and the founder of The Period Doctor. The conversation focused on the importance of early reproductive health education and what it means to be a Black woman in the healthcare field.

Listening to Dr. Chambers was both inspiring and eye-opening. She talked openly about her journey through medical school and how tough it can be to navigate spaces where you may not feel like you belong. What stuck with me most was when she said, “Medical school is hard, but living a life that you’re not called to live is even harder.” That line really hit me. It made me think about what it means to follow your purpose even when the path isn’t easy. I also loved how she encouraged us to shape our careers around the lives we want to live, not the other way around.

This event connected to my biology classes in a real and practical way. I’ve been learning about human anatomy and reproductive systems, but hearing from someone who works with these issues every day made it feel more real. It also reminded me of conversations in my ADW class from last semester about representation and how important it is to see Black women making space for themselves in fields where they’re often underrepresented.

Some of the biggest takeaways for me were the importance of early reproductive health education, the power of self-advocacy, and the reminder that I can make my career fit me, not just squeeze myself into what’s expected. It challenged me to think more deeply about the kind of healthcare professional I want to become and how I can stay true to myself in the process.

Overall, this experience gave me a confidence boost and reminded me why I’m on this path. It made me realize I don’t have to have everything figured out right now, but I do have to be intentional about building the life and career I want. I also want to help make conversations about reproductive health more open and accessible, especially in communities where it’s often avoided. This event didn’t just teach me something new, it reminded me that I belong in this space too.

- Sydney Craddock