Episode 5 | Lynelle Boamah: 30 Years of Service, Strength and Purpose!

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTEDIn this lastest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy introduces Michael Castro as a new co-host and guest Lynelle Boamah, a transitioning military physician with 30 years of service. Lynelle shares her challenging upbringing in Baltimore, her early interest in medicine, and her journey through medical school and the Navy. She highlights her resilience, mentorship, and leadership roles, including directing a pediatric residency program and serving as Chief Medical Officer for the Navy's Third Fleet. Lynelle emphasizes the importance of pursuing dreams, hard work, and the support of mentors and family.Renato Paiva introduces the Access Granted podcast, emphasizing its focus on stories of hope, perseverance, inspiration, and impact.The podcast aims to explore the lives of guests, their opportunities, pivotal moments, and their journey to becoming difference makers.Renato Paiva highlights the connection between sports and social change, quoting Mandela on the power of sports to unite people.The podcast aims to go beyond sports, discussing the doors that open in life, the moments that shape journeys, and the people who help others step through to the next level.Introduction of Lynelle BoamahLynelle Boamah, a board member of Access Youth Academy, is introduced as the special guest.Lynelle is invited to share her story, starting with what she currently does.Lynelle describes her role as a transitioning military physician, having served in the Navy for nearly 30 years.Lynelle's Early Life and EducationLynelle shares her childhood experiences growing up in a dangerous part of Baltimore in the 1970s and 1980s.She describes her mother as a single parent who did her best to provide for the family despite their poverty.Lynelle recounts her early interest in medicine, inspired by her experiences with doctors and her desire to help others.She mentions the support she received from teachers like Beverly Boston and Joe Thomas, who helped her navigate her educational journey.Transition to Medical School and Navy CareerLynelle discusses her journey to medical school at the University of Maryland, driven by her passion for medicine.She explains how her sister's advice led her to join the Navy as a doctor, securing a health profession scholarship.Lynelle describes her initial struggles as an intern in the Navy, feeling out of place and lacking confidence.She credits a mentor, Al Twyman, for helping her regain her confidence and excel in her role.Career Highlights and AchievementsLynelle shares her career highlights, including her role as a training program director and residency program director.She describes her experiences leading a hospital ship and a large Marine Corps base, highlighting her leadership and impact.Lynelle reflects on her journey from struggling intern to leading significant medical programs and roles.She emphasizes the importance of hard work, resilience, and continuous growth in her career.Impact of Sports on Family and Personal DevelopmentLynelle discusses the role of sports in her family, particularly in teaching responsibility, timeliness, and sportsmanship.She shares her children's achievements in various sports, including soccer, track and field, and volleyball.Lynelle highlights the importance of sports in developing well-rounded individuals who are both academically and athletically accomplished.She reflects on how sports have helped her children understand the value of hard work and sacrifice.Advice for Young People and Final ThoughtsLynelle offers advice to young people, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and not give up on their goals.She emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and support systems to help them achieve their potential.Lynelle shares her belief in the power of hard work and resilience, urging young people to push through challenges and seize opportunities.The podcast concludes with Renato Paiva expressing gratitude to Lynelle for sharing her story and inspiring the audience.About Access Youth AcademyAccess Granted is the official podcast of Access Youth Academy, a social impact organization whose mission is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility and leadership using sports as a catalyst. We believe every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential. To Learn more about Access Youth Academy and explore how you can become a game changer, please visit our website. https://accessyouthacademy.org/About Cloudcast MediaAs the national leader in local podcasting, Cloudcast Media proudly produces "Access Granted" throught its CauseCast platform to help amplify, augment, and accelerate the mission and reach of community social impact organizations. For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit their website at CloudCast Media. This episode was produced by high school student Associate Producer Natalie ...