Sophia Bellegarde is a first-year resident in the anatomical and clinical pathology program at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a world renowned teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, USA.
The route to Harvard was particularly challenging for Bellegarde. Navigating her way through the US education system with refugee status presented numerous obstacles – all of which she overcame with resilience, determination, and the love and support of her family.
Here, she shares her inspiring story.
Did you always want to be a pathologist?
The short answer is no – I didn’t know anything about this career.
As a biology undergraduate, I was approached by one of my mentors about a pilot program the college was introducing in laboratory medicine science, in partnership with the New York Presbyterian Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. He thought I would be a great fit for the program and wondered if I was interested in doing a double major.
I had been considering medical school, but didn’t know if that was an option, given my refugee status. So I thought, “What the heck. Let me give it a try.” I became one of the pioneer students on that program – and fell in love with laboratory science.
After graduating, I worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, and then a transfusion medicine specialist, in New York for many years while I pursued my permanent residency and US citizenship. When I finally made it to medical school, pathology was the natural choice for me.
Where did you grow up and what brought your family to the USA?
I am Haitian and I grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. My sister and I went to grade school there and our parents were very invested in our education, which encouraged us to try hard to be good students. They were forward thinkers, who pushed us to dream honestly.
My parents were both involved in Haitian politics. But it was a politically turbulent time, and the turmoil led them to move us all to Florida, USA, in 2002, when I was in fourth grade. The decision was based both on safety concerns and trying to continue our education in the best way possible.
We arrived in the US as political refugees, and began setting up a new life.
What challenges did you and your family face when you arrived in the US?
In 2002, so soon after 9/11, the immigration regulations had become much stricter. Arriving in the country and applying for asylum or refugee status was not easy.
It was also financially challenging for my parents. Back in Haiti, they were both professionals with businesses, but, in the US, they couldn’t work.
For me and my sister, the big challenge was the language barrier. We spoke mainly French and Haitian Creole, and suddenly we were thrown into an English-speaking school.
Luckily – as my mom will tell you – I talk a lot, and make friends easily. I learned to use hand gestures when I spoke to other kids to make it easier for them to understand me. I tried to piece together the little English that I knew, and I had to learn fast.
My parents didn’t speak the language either, and pretty soon I was translating for them at doctor’s appointments and parent teacher conferences and so on. I would confidently report, “Yes, Mom, the teacher definitely said I was a great student!”
What challenges did you face in accessing education?
The first time I really became aware of the implications of my refugee status was when I was in middle school. In eighth grade I won a City of Miami essay contest. I was invited to go to some big federal building in Miami to receive the award. My mother and father were so proud and happy for me, but then they broke the news that they wouldn’t be allowed to accompany me to the award ceremony due to their status in the country. It broke my heart.
Then, in high school, I graduated as Valedictorian, and the colleges were knocking at my door to have me apply to them. But when I filled the applications, and had to declare my non-residency status, doors started closing. It felt very toxic.
I applied to the Gates Millennium Scholarship fund for a grant for college tuition. On paper I qualified for everything in terms of academic potential, as I had graduated first in my class. But, when it came to my immigration status, suddenly I didn’t qualify.
The girl who graduated second in the class was awarded the Gates Scholarship, and I am happy for her, but being refused that funding severely limited my options.
A college advisor then encouraged me to apply to Saint Joseph College in Brooklyn, New York. She had spoken to admissions and they were impressed with my academic record and sympathetic to my story. Not only did they accept me, but they also offered me their Presidential Scholarship to cover my tuition fees.
I thought, “Great, my tuition fees are paid, but I still have to move to New York and fund my own living expenses.” That was not an option for me or my family.
At the last minute, the college emailed to say they could offer me funding from another source – the Taylor Foundation – that would sponsor that portion of my education as well. So that’s how I got to go to college.
What happened after you graduated college?
Things changed for me after the Haitian earthquake in 2010. Haitian people living in the US were granted temporary protected status, which allowed us to legally work and earn money to send to family in Haiti.
Ultimately, I wanted to go to medical school – but that didn’t seem accessible to me at the time. But my new status allowed me to start a career, straight out of college, to generate a good income to support myself and my family.
That changed how I thought about opportunities – and the American dream. If you can dream it, then you have to make it happen.
I worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist at a few different hospitals in New York, including the renowned Memorial Sloan Cancer Center. I also earned a Master’s degree in business administration, took on leadership roles, and became involved in the work of the ASCP.
During that time, my parents’ legal status was rectified and I was able to earn my green card. And then, finally, I earned permanent residency status.
In 2018 I was at the peak of my career. I had been working in the laboratory science field for five or six years, was in a supervisory role, and on the trajectory of a directorship due to my experience.
Right before the pandemic hit, I went to my boss and said, “Hey, you know how we successfully revamped this department, set up a quality assurance group, gained state legislation, and we’re now a fully functioning laboratory? Well, we had a great time, but I also want to go to medical school, so we need to successfully find my replacement.”
Thankfully, he was very supportive of my decision!
What challenges did medical school present?
Starting medical school meant walking away from a stable, well-paid career to start over as a full-time student at the American University of Antigua College of Medicine. But it wasn’t just about tuition – I had to figure out how to fund my move to Antigua, cover my living expenses, and make it all work without a steady income.
Even as a green card holder, applying for financial aid was complex. I had to secure federal grants and loans while also making sure I didn’t exceed my time outside the US and risk my immigration status.
On top of that, COVID-19 made everything even more complicated – travel was restricted, finances were tight, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. But I had worked too hard to let those obstacles stop me. I knew this was the next step, and I was determined to make it happen.
How did you find the experience of applying for a pathology residency?
Honestly, it was very smooth for me because my resume so strongly supported my commitment to pathology. By that time I was actually teaching at some of the schools I applied to, so I already had those networking connections.
If someone had asked me back at the beginning if I believed I’d get to Harvard – honestly, I would have said “Yes.” When I was actually accepted, I absolutely could not believe it. Now – here I am at Harvard.
What achievement brings you the most pride?
The one achievement I hold dear to my heart is my ability to retain the innocence of it all. Sometimes you have to think like a 5-year old to make things happen. Alongside the pragmatism of adulthood, a little imagination goes a long way.
I firmly believe that my journey had to happen in the way it did to make me into the person I am today. Now, when someone asks me, “What was the most challenging time of your life?” I don’t necessarily have an answer because, in every situation, I believed there was a good ending.
With everything I’ve been through, I’ve done a good job at enduring the issues, staying positive, and retaining my smile.
What are your aspirations?
Alongside learning more about myself, I want to truly immerse myself in the field of pathology and the potential benefits for the next generation.
I also aim to be an example for people following in my footsteps – regardless of status, background, or sex. I want people to see me as a beacon of hope.
Careerwise, I hope to continue growing in the field – including in transfusion medicine. I want to continue in the medical education aspect of the role as well, because I think representation is key.
What advice would you give to other international medical students on how to achieve their dreams?
Keep dreaming – unapologetically. And keep moving forward, because there is always a way.
Stick with your narrative. Mine was always, “I want to be a doctor.” I didn’t know how to make it happen, but I kept believing and dreaming. And every step of the way I’ve had people around me who believed in me, and helped and encouraged me.
Be a lifelong learner. That’s something that I think has marked out my career and has been the reason why I've gotten so far. Anything that’s thrown at me, I’ll say, “Let me try, I will learn,” or “Will you teach me?” Then that’s one more skill that I can add to my toolbox to get to the next step.
I also like to say that you are your limitations. Once you remove all the barriers in your head, the sky is yours.
In Haitian, we like to say “Piti piti zwazo fè nich li”, which translates to “With time, everything is possible.” I hold that saying close, and it has always kept me going.
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