The Power of Connection: A Scholar’s Journey to Residency

Early Opportunities Set the Stage

As a sophomore in high school at School of the Arts in 2015, Guy discovered the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, a community resource dedicated to helping students realize their full potential through youth development, job readiness, and academic support. While learning about defining career goals and gaining practical experience, Guy connected with one of Hillside’s employment partner’s, the Teen Health & Success Partnership program, part of UR Medicine’s Center for Community Health & Prevention.

The Teen Health & Success Partnership program matches students living in the City of Rochester with employment opportunities at the University of Rochester and provides hiring and employment assistance to support students’ long-term career success.

Knowing Guy’s passion and curiosity around medicine and her long-term career goals, former THSP Employment Navigators Christina Santiago and Kordell Hunter, helped her get a job as a receptionist with the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic at URMC. Prior to graduating from SOTA in 2017, Guy took every opportunity to shadow physicians and form lasting connections with her colleagues and supervisors.

I am so grateful that programs like these are available to students. Without them, it would be harder to get our foot in the door and make great connections.

With Santiago’s guidance, she also discovered and participated in two formative experiences offered by SMD – the annual SNMA Pre-Medical Conference and the Science and Technology Entry Program. In addition to solidifying her decision to continue her path to medical school, these programs also introduced her to mentors like Adrienne Morgan, PhD, a former director of STEP and current Vice President of the Office of Engagement and Enrichment, who’s support would ultimately help Guy confirm her passion for dermatology.

Guided by Mentors, Driven by Discovery

After graduating from SOTA, Guy studied biomedical sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She was never far from UR, however. She worked at Rush Rhees Library and was encouraged by Morgan to apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the summer of her freshman year. SURF provides an opportunity for students to engage in an intensive 10-week experience in a research environment. Her SURF project, done in collaboration with principal investigator, Edward Schwarz, PhD, director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Research at URMC, allowed her to pursue her passion for research and resulted in a published scholarly paper and several poster presentations.

“Watching Diamond grow as a student in our STEP and SURF programs to a passionate dermatologist has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” shares Morgan. “As her mentor, I couldn’t be prouder of the path she’s forging—not just in medicine, but as a role model for others who dare to dream big and work hard. Diamond embodies the spirit of excellence and purpose we strive to nurture at the University of Rochester.”

Upon learning that dermatology was a passion of Guy’s, Morgan helped her and several other students by facilitating an internship program with UR Medicine Dermatology. Guy was able to gain experience as a dermatology technician, building skills such as taking patient history and assisting in exams and procedures.

“As a dermatology technician, I learned that healing goes beyond prescriptions and procedures—it’s about active listening, empathy, patient-provider partnership, and teamwork,” shares Guy. “Those lessons ultimately shaped my path.”

Before graduating from RIT in 2021, Guy was connected by Morgan with mentors Linda Clark, MD, president and CEO of Jordan Health, Nananamibia “Nana” Duffy, MD, and other mentors in the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, who supported her through board exam prep, personal statements, and countless hours of dermatology shadowing.

Achieving Her Dream, Transforming Her Community

Her heart set on attending SMD, Guy was thrilled to be accepted. As a Rochester resident, she wanted to stay close to her hometown and give back to her community. The SMD provides medical students with numerous ways to engage with the community, including student-run outreach through the Office of Medical Student Enrichment Programs and community-engaged learning through the Center for Community Health & Prevention, an initiative led by Theresa Green, PhD, MBA, director of Community Health Education and Policy at the CCHP. These initiatives provided the perfect opportunity for Guy to gain unique perspectives while partnering with community-based agencies and programs to educate residents about dermatology care and prevention of skin cancer.

During her later years of medical school, Guy enrolled in the Community Health Improvement Courses, offered to medical students at SMD. Students enrolled in CHIC, also led by Green, learn first-hand how social drivers impact health outcomes, and how evidence-based interventions can improve the health of our community and eliminate disparities.

Throughout her CHIC experience, Guy partnered with Jordan Health and long-time mentor Clark and, in 2023, founded ROCDermEd. The program focused on community outreach about skin cancer, sun protection, and skin care and received positive feedback from community members at events like the Front Porch Festival. Now, two years later, the program is run by other medical students with direction from Guy whenever needed.

“Diamond always brings enthusiasm and drive to everything she does,” shares Clark. “She has never wasted an opportunity to serve our community, even as a busy medical student. She brought education to the community during our Front Porch Festivals in August, and tabled right within our health centers, helping patients and staff alike. True to her name, Diamond is a valuable gem in our community.”

Guy was recognized with Distinction in Community Health as she crossed the graduation stage in May 2025. Her project “ROCDermEd and Bringing Dermatology to Jordan Health,” also earned her the Fiscella Excellence in Community Health Award. This award is given to the Distinction candidate whose work exemplifies outstanding community engagement with the greatest potential for sustainable impact on the health of the community.

The power of connection and mentorship has been strong throughout Guy’s academic journey. As she embarks on her first year of residency at SMD and reflects on her path thus far, she looks forward to what’s to come and how she can pay it forward with students on a similar journey.

Guy plans to pursue three years of dermatology during her residency program and although pediatric dermatology has always been the end goal, she knows the possibilities, and opportunity for new connection, are endless.