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For Bailey Moore, a Master of Public Health student in Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s College of Science and Health, the journey to medicine has been both intentional and grounded in purpose.

“My mom and my dad always instilled in my brother and me that there is a purpose for us on this Earth to use our skills and talents to change communities for the better and to make a difference in the world,” said Moore. “Even when times seem hard and I’m stressed out, I remember that this is for a purpose. Nothing good in life comes easy.”

The Washington, D.C. native earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from George Washington University before completing the Master of Biomedical Sciences program at CDU in 2024. She is now pursuing her Master of Public Health, building on a foundation rooted in science, service, and community engagement.

Moore’s motivation to pursue medicine began long before graduate school.

Initially drawn to the performing arts, her interests shifted the summer before her senior year of high school when she participated in a healthcare careers program where she learned about nursing, midwifery, and becoming a physician. Hospital tours and a research project examining maternal mortality rates among Black women in Washington, D.C., proved eye-opening. 

“I had no idea about the disparities that existed because I wasn’t in medicine yet,” she said. “Once I learned about it, I knew I was interested in maternal health, and I decided that I was going to apply to schools for medicine. I wanted to become an OB/GYN.”

Moore’s interest deepened through dual enrollment coursework during her senior year of high school where she explored health equity, disparities, and the historical impact of medicine on Black communities. 

“That was when I knew this is absolutely what I wanted to do,” Moore said. “I’m interested in the intersection of community healing and science-based health.”

Knowing she wanted to strengthen her scientific foundation before applying to medical school, Moore pursued CDU’s Master of Biomedical Sciences program.

“The program challenged me in the best way,” she said. “It showed me that this field is hard, but that I can do it. I’ve been surrounded by a support system at CDU that I truly don’t think you can get anywhere else.”

What initially drew Moore to the University was its emphasis on community-based education, small class sizes, and alignment with her personal values.
“I wanted to go to a school that emphasized the necessity for students like me to get an education and cared about the community,” she said. “CDU allows you to truly see people beyond yourself.”

Compassion, empathy, and service are values that continue to resonate with Moore as she navigates her academic and leadership roles.

“We’re being built up to be professionals that care about their community, want to give back, and want to serve in a way that is of the highest of quality because we came from an institution that instilled that in us.”

In addition to her studies, she serves as president of the CDU Student Government Association, where she hopes to strengthen campus-wide community and amplify student voices.

As she looks ahead, Moore is excited to continue her journey toward medical school and a career as an OB/GYN.

“I want to be a face that a future pre-med student can see and say, ‘If she can do it, I can do it,’” she said. “That has been so many women for me, and I’m excited to give that back.”

Her message to fellow students is both empowering and timely.

“Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something or scare you out of something difficult,” Moore said. “I think we’re in a world that wants people to be scared to make a difference. We want people to be scared to ruffle feathers, but don’t be scared to because sometimes that’s necessary. I think that students at CDU and students everywhere are learning that disrupting is okay and education is one of the biggest ways to be a disruptor. So please continue to be educated, continue to seek education, and don’t be afraid. Now is the time to make some good trouble.”