With more than 32 years of working within academic enrichment programs at NJMS, Lonnie Wright always keeps his door open and many students have walked through in search of advice. Involved in recruitment, admissions, and student affairs, Wright is aware that there is no "good time" in medical school for a student to endure a crisis, though he is there for them if they do have emergencies. He also knows how to spot diamonds in the roughest sections of urban New Jersey and recognized that Richard Huggins "had decided early on that he was not going to be defined by his early circumstances."

Inducted into the New Jersey Medical School’s Gold Humanism Honor Society, he remembers those times when he became more than a “mere medical student” to his patients: the 20-year-old with sickle cell anemia, the dying woman with pulmonary hypertension, and others. As treasurer of the Student National Medical Association, which represents minority medical students all across the country, he participated in health fairs, dinners, and events including an annual obesity walk-a-thon that raised more than $20,000. Though he calls himself “extremely laid-back” and says strangers were surprised by his being in medical school, it comes as no surprise that he was selected by his NJMS peers as the person to have by their side during a medical emergency.

My Degree: Doctor of Medicine from New Jersey Medical School, Class of 2006.

Professional Passion: Dermatology — particularly pigment disorders. Since skin issues are chronic and affect the body as well as someone’s self esteem, this specialty allows me to counsel patients as well as treat them, which is very rewarding. Medical school teaches you to manage diseases, and you see just about every disease imaginable here in Newark at University Hospital. But what I really feel is special about NJMS is that I’ve been trained to deal with patients’ social issues on top of their medical problems. I’ve learned to treat the entire patient, not just the illness, and you can’t be a truly effective physician without understanding this.

Most Memorable Clinical Day: Accompanying a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension to a CT scan. Her breathing was so terrible that she didn’t think she would make it through the procedure. Her family was so grateful that I stayed with her in what was to be the last procedure of her life. I realized then that being a doctor is much more than prescribing medicine and treatments. I was there in the hospital with her until 10:30 pm, though I was supposed to be off duty by 8, and I didn’t mind because I really felt as if I made a difference that day.

Stamped on My Passport: Africa. I participated in a dermatology externship in Ethiopia at the All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. And Holland. I studied at the National Center for Blistering Disorders and the Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders. Both were wonderful learning experiences. I was able to remind myself that the art of medicine is not practiced the same everywhere.

Excellent Experience: I gain so much from mentoring children. Being able to watch children’s confidence grow and to help them achieve their goals is very rewarding. I live by the mantra: "Once you understand what helped you achieve success, it’s easier to help others succeed." While growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money but my family provided the moral foundation and support I needed to make the right decisions. Now I can do the same for someone else. I’m constantly evaluating myself, looking for ways to grow. One of the children I mentored for three years — a fifth grader — has recently been promoted out of special needs classes. I’m so proud of him.

  My story. Our university.