Tamia Potter Makes History as First African American Female to be Accepted into Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Neurosurgery Residency Program

On March 17, 2023, Tamia Potter made history as the first African American female to be accepted into Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s neurosurgery residency program. Potter, a 26-year-old medical student, was overcome with emotion when she received the news on National Match Day, an annual event in which thousands of graduate medical students learn where they will do their residency training.

Potter shared a clip of her emotional reaction to the news on social media, which showed her getting visibly emotional during a phone call confirming her acceptance. She wrote, “Today, on March 17, 2023, I was blessed to be selected as the first African American female neurosurgery resident to train at [Vanderbilt University Medical Center for neurosurgery].”

Potter told CNN that she was incredulous when she first saw the match, and very relieved and excited to be entering the next chapter of her life after so many years of schooling. She began her medical career as a certified nursing assistant at 17 years old in 2014.

Vanderbilt University’s neurosurgery residency program has been around for nearly a century, but Potter is the first Black woman to accept a spot in the program. Her acceptance marks a milestone for the university and the medical field, and is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her studies.

Potter’s story is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. She is an inspiration to other medical students and a reminder that anything is possible with the right attitude and determination.