Meharry medical student wins Miss Black USA title

Kalilah Allen-Harris entered the Miss Black USA contest for the chance to win a scholarship and trim her medical school loans.

As an added bonus, she received a free trip to Gambia, courtesy of the Gambian government. The country sponsored the pageant as part of its efforts to promote tourism and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the television series "Roots."

But the biggest bonus for the medical student turned out not to be winning the contest -- which was spectacular in itself -- but the Gambian government surprising her with a full med school scholarship. That was on top of the $20,000 crowning prize.

Allen-Harris expects her bill at Meharry Medical College in Nashville to total $150,000 by graduation.

"My mouth was open. 'I don't believe you,' " Allen-Harris said of her reaction. "My mother cried. Everybody was so excited."

As Miss Black USA, Allen-Harris, a type 1 diabetic, is traveling the U.S. this year to raise diabetes awareness and encourage young students to pursue their dreams. The 10-year-old, community-driven pageant's mission is to support educational opportunities and develop and promote national leadership among African-American women.

Allen-Harris has taken leave from her second year at Meharry to meet her responsibilities, but it is only a temporary break. She said she always wanted to be a physician -- inspired in part by her father, who is a retired family physician. She is looking forward to when she can focus on that goal full time.

Her disease triggered an interest in finding a diabetes cure, but she discovered during high school that she did not enjoy lab work as much as she enjoyed cheerleading. But she got hurt doing it, and serendipitously, her injuries sent her to an orthopedic surgeon, who became a mentor.

"He was really patient," Allen-Harris said. "He allowed an annoying high school kid to ask questions. He let me look at my x-rays. It really sparked my interest."

She would like to do the same one day for high school students. She also would like to return to Gambia after she trains in orthopedic surgery to share technical expertise with physicians there. She expects that being free from medical school loans will make it easier to pursue such plans.

"My ultimate goal is to be able to provide orthopedic care to people who are disabled," Allen-Harris said. "I want to be able to help people who are underserved, who can't enjoy life to the fullest because of pain that leaves them immobile."

Pamela C. Williams, MD, Meharry's vice dean, expects Allen-Harris, who tutored Somalian refugees during college, to live up to her goals.

"Allen-Harris has done an excellent job of balancing the rigorous demands of a first-year medical student and her pageant obligations," Dr. Williams said. "She's kind of been one of our model students."