nicolealiciamd

Lifestyle | Medicine | Motherhood | Motivation
Balancing medicine and motherhood with style
OB GYN Physician
📍ATL
💌 nicolealiciamd@gmail.com

Nicole Sparks, MD
Dear Black girl in medicine, We need you We need Dear Black girl in medicine,

We need you

We need you to change the statistic 

We need you to change the narrative 

2% is not enough 

We need you to apply 

We need you to study 

We need you to persevere 

We need you to finish 

We need more of YOU in medicine 

I don’t care what your advisor said. I don’t care if you failed an exam. I don’t care who told you, you couldn’t do it. I don’t care who told you to chase another dream.

We need you for women like Kira Johnson who died after a routine C section. 

We need you for Dr. Chaneice Wallace, a pediatric chief resident who died after childbirth. 

We need you for Dr. Susan Moore who should not have been discharged from the hospital
prematurely and later died

We need you because patients are more likely to trust doctors who look like them and there is already mistrust between the Black community  and healthcare

We need you so you can pave the way for others 

We need you so our Black mothers will
stop dying at alarming rates 

We need YOU

When you are tired of studying and when you are overwhelmed and when you want to give up I want you to think of every patient whose life you will make a difference in. 

Use that as your fuel and keep going. 

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.”
- Martin Luther King. Jr
#ThirtyFine . . 📸 @lajoyphotographyllc #ThirtyFine
.
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
I heard it was Capricorn season. Still counting I heard it was Capricorn season. 

Still counting down until my birthday and remember to always keep your head up so your crown doesn’t fall. 

Thank you sis @i.am.dr.arumala for my crown 
. 
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
Stop apologizing Stop dimming your light Stop do Stop apologizing 
Stop dimming your light 
Stop doubting yourself 
You are more than capable and you belong in every single space you work hard to be in

Most importantly, never, ever apologize for being a powerful woman
Hello New Friends! Thank you for all of the kind Hello New Friends! 

Thank you for all of the kind messages over the past few days. While I know the events of late are new to many people, they are not new to us. This, unfortunately is the America we have always known and our daily reality. I love my country and all I want is for it to love me, my family and people that look like me back. 

I hope that we can use our voices for good so that I can feel safe growing my Black son and daughter in this country. I hope that we teach our children love so the new generation can confidently speak out against injustices. The fight is not over, it’s actually just beginning. 

If you are new here, I am an OB-GYN, wife to my husband of almost 10 years, mother of two and blogger. 

Welcome to medicine, motherhood and whole lot of Black Girl Magic. I hope you stay awhile. 

And hello 50k!
Let me explain how it feels to be a Black woman an Let me explain how it feels to be a Black woman and raise a Black family in America 

It’s following me around a store assuming I’m going to steal something 

It’s clutching your purse when my 6’2” Black husband walks by

It’s thinking I cheated on a test because I couldn’t possibly earn a high grade by studying 

It’s repeatedly mistaking me for a cleaning lady or a tech when my badge clearly says MD while referring to the white male medical student rounding with me as the doctor 🙄

It’s the look of disgust when I walk into a room and asking to see a white doctor instead (yes, has literally happened multiple times) 

It’s the flagrant disregard, disrespect and dehumanization of Black bodies in this country 

It’s being shot to death in YOUR own home or walking down the street in a hoodie vs making it past the Capitol steps INTO the building and having the audacity and fearlessness to take pictures without fear of consequence 

It’s the labeling me as aggressive or loud when I speak my mind 

It’s having to work twice as hard with half the recognition 

It’s constantly being reminded of the statistics of Black maternal mortality in this country and nothing actually being done about it

It’s being made to feel you don’t belong when I know I deserve a seat at every damn table I choose to sit at 

It’s actually believing that Black people have thicker skin and witholding pain medicine from them 

It’s being told you “change your hair too much” or I like your “straight hair better” where I am judged for the way my hair naturally grows out of my head. 

It’s getting called “special” when you are actually domestic terrorists 

It’s having to raise a Black family in an America that does not love them and will perceive them as threats when they get older 

It’s having to relive trauma every time one of my sisters or brothers is senselessly killed and going into work the next day like nothing happened. 

I cannot even adequately place into words what I am feeling but America needs to wake TF up

When will you believe us?

When will you realize your privilege? 

I keep seeing oh “this isn’t who we are”

Correction: this is EXACTLY who we are
The same injustices that allowed rioters to storm The same injustices that allowed rioters to storm the Capitol today are the same ones that allow Black women to die at disproportionate rates in healthcare. 
They are the same reasons why Dr. Susan Moore was discharged from the hospital prematurely and died 
They are the same reasons why Breonna Taylor died in her HOUSE while terrorists stormed the Capitol and were deemed “special” and “patriotic”
They are the reason why Black people are dying from COVID at a rate 3x that of White people 
They are the reason why Black women die from pregnancy related causes at a rate 2-3x their White counterparts 
They are the same injustices that make me afraid when my Black husband goes for a run
They are the same injustices that make me afraid to raise Black children in this country 
They are the same ones that have labeled me as “aggressive” when I speak up for myself 

Like I have said before

This is NOT the time to be silent 

And let’s call a spade a spade. If the race of the rioters were different, the outcome would NOT be the same. And that is not opinion. It is a FACT. 

Say it with me...PRI-VI-LEGE. 

#thisisAmerica
Birthday is that you playa? 👀 My husband aske Birthday is that you playa? 👀 

My husband asked me where I was going and I told him to the kitchen lol. Imma be cute all month long just because I can. 
And Yes, I had a whole photo shoot in my closet. 🤣🤣 

In all seriousness I encourage you all to have a grateful box this year. For 2020 my sisters and I wrote and placed little things that we were thankful for throughout the year into a small box. Some of the things we were thankful for included being saved from a bad car accident, recovering from COVID, my brother passing his PE exam and getting raises. On Jan 1 we had a grateful box party and we all read aloud some of the things we were thankful for in 2020. It was amazing because I realized how blessed we were even in such a tumultuous year. I am so excited to be adding new things to be thankful for in 2021. 
.
.
Also, where are all my Capricorns?Insert slight twerk here. 🤣

Edit: My birthday is not until next week! But thank you. Lol. I’m just being extra. 
.
.
Hair: @gosleekhair 
Outfit: @lillyskloset
We showed our voices and our votes in the primary We showed our voices and our votes in the primary election but the race is NOT over. We have two senate run-off races in Georgia. I believe that it is an honor and a privilege to use my vote and my voice for good. If you think your vote doesn’t matter then think again because it absolutely does!
 
If you are in Georgia I am talking to you!

The runoff election is January 5, 2021

Early voting began on December 14
You can request absentee ballots through the Friday before the election. 

I vote because I believe in evidence based medicine. 
I vote for the reproductive rights of my patients. 

Share why you vote below! #sponsored
#YourVoteIsPower #TeamMoveOn
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Nicole Alicia MD

Medicine. Motherhood. Motivation.

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  • This Christmas

    Family · January 1, 2021

    This Christmas

    nicolealiciamd

    Lifestyle | Medicine | Motherhood | Motivation
    Balancing medicine and motherhood with style
    OB GYN Physician
    📍ATL
    💌 nicolealiciamd@gmail.com

    Nicole Sparks, MD
    Dear Black girl in medicine, We need you We need Dear Black girl in medicine,

We need you

We need you to change the statistic 

We need you to change the narrative 

2% is not enough 

We need you to apply 

We need you to study 

We need you to persevere 

We need you to finish 

We need more of YOU in medicine 

I don’t care what your advisor said. I don’t care if you failed an exam. I don’t care who told you, you couldn’t do it. I don’t care who told you to chase another dream.

We need you for women like Kira Johnson who died after a routine C section. 

We need you for Dr. Chaneice Wallace, a pediatric chief resident who died after childbirth. 

We need you for Dr. Susan Moore who should not have been discharged from the hospital
prematurely and later died

We need you because patients are more likely to trust doctors who look like them and there is already mistrust between the Black community  and healthcare

We need you so you can pave the way for others 

We need you so our Black mothers will
stop dying at alarming rates 

We need YOU

When you are tired of studying and when you are overwhelmed and when you want to give up I want you to think of every patient whose life you will make a difference in. 

Use that as your fuel and keep going. 

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.”
- Martin Luther King. Jr
    #ThirtyFine . . 📸 @lajoyphotographyllc #ThirtyFine
.
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    I heard it was Capricorn season. Still counting I heard it was Capricorn season. 

Still counting down until my birthday and remember to always keep your head up so your crown doesn’t fall. 

Thank you sis @i.am.dr.arumala for my crown 
. 
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    Stop apologizing Stop dimming your light Stop do Stop apologizing 
Stop dimming your light 
Stop doubting yourself 
You are more than capable and you belong in every single space you work hard to be in

Most importantly, never, ever apologize for being a powerful woman
    Hello New Friends! Thank you for all of the kind Hello New Friends! 

Thank you for all of the kind messages over the past few days. While I know the events of late are new to many people, they are not new to us. This, unfortunately is the America we have always known and our daily reality. I love my country and all I want is for it to love me, my family and people that look like me back. 

I hope that we can use our voices for good so that I can feel safe growing my Black son and daughter in this country. I hope that we teach our children love so the new generation can confidently speak out against injustices. The fight is not over, it’s actually just beginning. 

If you are new here, I am an OB-GYN, wife to my husband of almost 10 years, mother of two and blogger. 

Welcome to medicine, motherhood and whole lot of Black Girl Magic. I hope you stay awhile. 

And hello 50k!
    Let me explain how it feels to be a Black woman an Let me explain how it feels to be a Black woman and raise a Black family in America 

It’s following me around a store assuming I’m going to steal something 

It’s clutching your purse when my 6’2” Black husband walks by

It’s thinking I cheated on a test because I couldn’t possibly earn a high grade by studying 

It’s repeatedly mistaking me for a cleaning lady or a tech when my badge clearly says MD while referring to the white male medical student rounding with me as the doctor 🙄

It’s the look of disgust when I walk into a room and asking to see a white doctor instead (yes, has literally happened multiple times) 

It’s the flagrant disregard, disrespect and dehumanization of Black bodies in this country 

It’s being shot to death in YOUR own home or walking down the street in a hoodie vs making it past the Capitol steps INTO the building and having the audacity and fearlessness to take pictures without fear of consequence 

It’s the labeling me as aggressive or loud when I speak my mind 

It’s having to work twice as hard with half the recognition 

It’s constantly being reminded of the statistics of Black maternal mortality in this country and nothing actually being done about it

It’s being made to feel you don’t belong when I know I deserve a seat at every damn table I choose to sit at 

It’s actually believing that Black people have thicker skin and witholding pain medicine from them 

It’s being told you “change your hair too much” or I like your “straight hair better” where I am judged for the way my hair naturally grows out of my head. 

It’s getting called “special” when you are actually domestic terrorists 

It’s having to raise a Black family in an America that does not love them and will perceive them as threats when they get older 

It’s having to relive trauma every time one of my sisters or brothers is senselessly killed and going into work the next day like nothing happened. 

I cannot even adequately place into words what I am feeling but America needs to wake TF up

When will you believe us?

When will you realize your privilege? 

I keep seeing oh “this isn’t who we are”

Correction: this is EXACTLY who we are
    The same injustices that allowed rioters to storm The same injustices that allowed rioters to storm the Capitol today are the same ones that allow Black women to die at disproportionate rates in healthcare. 
They are the same reasons why Dr. Susan Moore was discharged from the hospital prematurely and died 
They are the same reasons why Breonna Taylor died in her HOUSE while terrorists stormed the Capitol and were deemed “special” and “patriotic”
They are the reason why Black people are dying from COVID at a rate 3x that of White people 
They are the reason why Black women die from pregnancy related causes at a rate 2-3x their White counterparts 
They are the same injustices that make me afraid when my Black husband goes for a run
They are the same injustices that make me afraid to raise Black children in this country 
They are the same ones that have labeled me as “aggressive” when I speak up for myself 

Like I have said before

This is NOT the time to be silent 

And let’s call a spade a spade. If the race of the rioters were different, the outcome would NOT be the same. And that is not opinion. It is a FACT. 

Say it with me...PRI-VI-LEGE. 

#thisisAmerica
    Birthday is that you playa? 👀 My husband aske Birthday is that you playa? 👀 

My husband asked me where I was going and I told him to the kitchen lol. Imma be cute all month long just because I can. 
And Yes, I had a whole photo shoot in my closet. 🤣🤣 

In all seriousness I encourage you all to have a grateful box this year. For 2020 my sisters and I wrote and placed little things that we were thankful for throughout the year into a small box. Some of the things we were thankful for included being saved from a bad car accident, recovering from COVID, my brother passing his PE exam and getting raises. On Jan 1 we had a grateful box party and we all read aloud some of the things we were thankful for in 2020. It was amazing because I realized how blessed we were even in such a tumultuous year. I am so excited to be adding new things to be thankful for in 2021. 
.
.
Also, where are all my Capricorns?Insert slight twerk here. 🤣

Edit: My birthday is not until next week! But thank you. Lol. I’m just being extra. 
.
.
Hair: @gosleekhair 
Outfit: @lillyskloset
    We showed our voices and our votes in the primary We showed our voices and our votes in the primary election but the race is NOT over. We have two senate run-off races in Georgia. I believe that it is an honor and a privilege to use my vote and my voice for good. If you think your vote doesn’t matter then think again because it absolutely does!
 
If you are in Georgia I am talking to you!

The runoff election is January 5, 2021

Early voting began on December 14
You can request absentee ballots through the Friday before the election. 

I vote because I believe in evidence based medicine. 
I vote for the reproductive rights of my patients. 

Share why you vote below! #sponsored
#YourVoteIsPower #TeamMoveOn
    I have been thinking long and hard about what my w I have been thinking long and hard about what my word would be for next year and I finally settled on one. 

My word for next year (tomorrow 😭) is execution.

I have hella ideas stored in the notes section of my phone that need to finally make their way out. Ideas that literally wake me out of my sleep. Ideas that I have to jot down quickly before I forget. 

So this is my message to you that is also a message to myself. You’ve been dreaming for far too long. It’s time to put discipline, action and hard work behind your dreams to bring them to fruition. I pray that the distractions will be removed and you will replace your fear with faith. It doesn’t matter if others see or agree with your vision. It’s not for them to understand. 

I’ve prayed 

I’ve planned 

I’ve persisted 

The definition of execution is “the carrying out our putting into effect of a plan or course of action”

I’ve been planning for months and years and now the planning stages are over. 

Now is time for execution.

Ready for 2021

.
.
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    Self care is not selfish and is so important, espe Self care is not selfish and is so important, especially in a year like this one during the Holiday season. 

No matter how you celebrate this year I encourage you to take time to yourself and for yourself. 

Whether that means a long hot shower, a nice bubble bath with candles or reading your favorite book.

I’m partnering with Shea Moisture for A Holiday giveaway where one of you can win the kit featured in my stories! 

No matter how you celebrate the Holidays, Shea Moisture has got you covered with their hair, skin and body collections so you can give yourself a little extra self care during the Holidays! 

To enter:
Like this post and follow @nicolealiciamd and @sheamoisture
Tell me below what’s on your Shea Moisture wish list!
Share this post to your Instagram Story with #HolidaysWithShea for a bonus entry!

#SheaMoisture
#SheaMoisturePartner #HolidaysWithShea @sheamoisture
    I’ve watched her videos over and over again. I I’ve watched her videos over and over again. 
I was sad, then angry. 
While the world keeps it moving we have to process yet another at the hands of COVID and also systemic racism in healthcare. A system that was never designed to protect us. 

Dr. Moore basically narrated her death. 
Her pain was dismissed. Her symptoms were downplayed. Her life was devalued. 
She was a physician who KNEW the appropriate care she was supposed to receive. She was still discharged prematurely, and admitted 12 hours later to a different hospital and later died. I tell my patients to advocate for themselves. But Dr. Moore DID advocate for herself and she still died. Can you imagine what happens to those who don’t know how to effectively speak up for themselves?

“Why do I have to prove that there’s something wrong with me in order for my pain to be treated?” Dr. Moore asked. 

We need more Black physicians. Period. I represent part of the 2% of Black women physicians and this statistic frankly will not work any longer. 

I discussed previously how a study published in 2016 revealed that almost half of medical students and residents surveyed believed that Black people had thicker skin and experienced less pain than White people. 

Racial biases like these are what lead to the inappropriate and inexcusable care Dr. Susan Moore received before she was finally provided better care at a different hospital. 

Many in the Black community don’t trust the healthcare system and frankly, I don’t blame them. We need more Black physicians to rebuild the trust that has been broken. 
If you are going into medicine I beg you to go into it for the right reasons. The disparities exist. Please stop saying they don’t. 

Just because it hasn’t happened to you doesn’t make it any less true. It only speaks to your privilege. COVID is already killing Black Americans at over 3x the rate of White Americans. Don’t let the compounded effect of racism drive that number even higher. This goes beyond education and socioeconomic status. Because that doesn’t save us either. 

Call out your colleagues. This is not the time to be silent. Our lives are literally at stake. 

RIH Susan Moore
    During such an unprecedented year, I have never be During such an unprecedented year, I have never been more proud to be in healthcare.
I am thankful for the frontline healthcare workers who selflessly put their patients’ needs above their own everyday and who sacrifice time with their families and loved ones to pull extra shifts when we need them them the most. 

In a year that has been so divided it has been amazing to see healthcare providers coming together to truly make a difference this year.
I am so happy to be teaming up with 
@wellsfargo who will donate $5 up to 1M dollars to the @americanredcross for every post thanking our heroes with #WFgivesthanks 

Please join me in supporting such an amazing cause by thanking a frontline healthcare worker. 
#WFEveryday heroes

Tag your favorite healthcare worker below!
    This year may look a lot different but that has no This year may look a lot different but that has not stopped Holiday vibes at the Sparks’ home! 

On any given day you can catch me in a Holiday sequin dress right up until Christmas Day. Protective styles are my go-to especially during the Holiday season when the cold weather makes my hair extremely dry. 

I love the Jamaican Black Castor Strengthen and Restore Product Line from @sheamoisture which helps to strengthen and restore my hair's natural moisture and keep it healthy even underneath my protective styles.

Find out more in my stories about Shea Moisture’s new Holiday Kit!

#SheaMoisture #SheaMoisturePartner #HolidaysWithShea
    “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Ma “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more...”
.
My husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said nothing. 
This year was not what any of us expected. But I can honestly say I may not have everything I want but I absolutely have everything I need. 
.
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    Serving notice that my price is increasing in 2021 Serving notice that my price is increasing in 2021.
Tax not included. 
Know your worth. Then add tax. 
#wherethemoneyresides

.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    I told y’all I was his gift. 😉 . . . And than I told y’all I was his gift. 😉
.
.
.
And thank you to @medscape  for naming me one of the top 20 Black Physician Social Media Influencers for 2020.
To think that almost 50k people follow me on this platform and care about my voice in this space whether I am talking about medicine, marriage or motherhood—it means a lot. Love y’all. Mean it. 
Swipe to read! 
.
📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    I love to save money. Whether its on clothes, shoe I love to save money. Whether its on clothes, shoes, food and especially my medications. #ad

With @inside_rx I am able to save on monthly prescription medications for myself and my family. Before I fill any prescription, I first, put the name of the prescription inside my Inside Rx app to see which pharmacy has my prescription for the lowest price!

Inside Rx is partnered with over 60,000 retail pharmacies and may be able to save you up to 80% on brand and generic medications. You can simply visit the Inside Rx website or download the app to start saving. It’s free! There is no sign up or membership required. Inside Rx is not insurance, but works directly with retail pharmacies to offer lower prices on thousands of medications. 

Prescription medications can cost a lot. But now they don’t have to. Find out more details about how you can save in my stories!
#insiderx
    When my husband asks what he’s getting for Chris When my husband asks what he’s getting for Christmas. 

Me.

The gift is me. 

And remember, even if you didn’t start a new business, or write a book, or go back to school you made it to the end of 2020. Mmmmkay!
If all you did was make it then that’s ok. 
People have been dealing with depression, homeschooling, job loss, isolation and a pandemic. 
But we made it. 

Oh, and I’m serving curves because I’ve gained 8 pounds in the last month😭😭 

Jesus be a Peloton and a salad. 
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📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
    I just love my little family! . . 📸 @lajoyphoto I just love my little family!
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📸 @lajoyphotographyllc
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