Black History Month Spotlight: Myles Tucker

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu

Myles Tucker, first-year medical student at OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation

Where are you from?

I am originally from Washington, DC. Currently I live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas with my family.

Why did you want to be a doctor?

I am passionate about pediatric health and women's health. As a previous administrator, becoming a physician will allow me to serve those populations better. 

Growing up, did you see many physicians and health care professionals that looked like you?

Many? No. That said, my parents made sure to surround me with Black physicians, pharmacists, dentists, administrators and other professionals throughout my life.

Did that influence your decision to go into medicine?

Absolutely. I'd like to normalize the Black male physician and act as a role model for the next generation. 

Were you encouraged to pursue medicine by teachers, professors, family and friends? If so, what did that mean to you?

My wife and my sons are my biggest encouragers. I was our family's primary breadwinner — they are making tremendous sacrifices for me to attend medical school and I am truly grateful. My parents were also instrumental in my journey through business school and to medical school.

Why is diversity important in medicine and health care?

It is important for patients to see physicians and providers that look like them and that have lived similar experiences to theirs. It is also important for patient advocacy to have physicians and administrators from a diverse set of backgrounds when it comes to making decisions with individual patients and health care systems.