STEAM Academy student Kylie Jewelz Robinson earns coveted spot in inaugural Healthcare Academy

When the Mayo Clinic selected just 100 high school students nationwide for its inaugural Pre-College Healthcare Academy, Mount Vernon STEAM Academy student Kylie Jewelz Robinson earned one of those coveted spots.

The rising junior earned a full scholarship to attend the highly selective program hosted by the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science at the University of Minnesota Rochester. Running from July 12 through July 24, the academy introduces students to careers in medicine through hands-on learning, mentorship and immersive experiences with healthcare professionals. 

"What inspired me to pursue a career as a doctor at such a young age was my passion for helping pregnant women and learning more about the female reproductive system," Kylie said.

"I hope to gain something from this program that will be valuable when I become an OB-GYN," she said. "I want to continue learning more about the female reproductive system and caring for women during pregnancy."

Her acceptance places her among an exceptionally select group of future healthcare leaders from across the country and marks a significant achievement for both Kylie and the STEAM Academy community.

Kylie's dream of becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist took shape after she witnessed her mother's medical emergency during a prenatal appointment while she was pregnant with Kylie's youngest sister, according to the Yonkers Times.

Her mother, Stephanie Clarke, developed complications related to preeclampsia, a potentially serious pregnancy condition. The frightening episode left Kylie deeply shaken and inspired her to pursue a career caring for women during pregnancy, the newspaper reported.

Writing the application essay gave Kylie the opportunity to focus on the subject that inspires her most.

"The application process was very easy because, when writing the essay, I just wrote about what I am passionate about, like fertility and helping women during pregnancy," she said. "My dad inspired me to apply. … I was also inspired by my family and stories I have read online and watched in movies on TV."

When she learned she had been accepted, the news was almost too good to believe.

"I was honestly very shocked and happy because I'm going to learn a lot that will help me in the future when I do become an OB-GYN," Kylie said.

Kylie has also broadened her interests through the Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) program, where she recently completed her second year. The program introduces students to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while helping prepare young people for future careers, including in rapidly evolving fields such as healthcare.

"I attend a Saturday program that helps youth learn about the importance of AI and creates opportunities for my peers and me to learn about and become more aware of the use of artificial intelligence," she said.

Kylie hopes her time at the Mayo Clinic will deepen her understanding of medicine and strengthen the foundation for her future career.

"What I hope to learn from this program is the many wonders of science and how medicine plays a role in obstetrics and gynecology," she said, adding that she also hopes her accomplishment encourages other students to pursue ambitious goals of their own.

"My advice to other students is to believe in yourself, put true effort into what you dream of doing and stay disciplined," Kylie said.

Her mother, a teacher assistant and substitute teacher at STEAM, said she is proud of Kylie's accomplishment.

"I am sharing this information as a proud parent and Mount Vernon City School District staff member," Ms. Clarke said.

As Kylie prepares to begin her junior year at STEAM, she will return from one of the world's leading medical institutions with new knowledge, new mentors and an even stronger commitment to one day ensuring women receive the compassionate care that first inspired her to pursue medicine.