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Dominican Medical Association
For over twelve years the Dominican Medical Association (DMA), a non-profit association located in New York City, has been providing Dominicans with endless services to promote professional development of its members. Membership in this association grants four major benefits: job opportunities, medical education, social activities, and benefits such as a DMA picture ID, health fairs, and computer training.
The most prominent benefit that the association offers is job opportunities. In being an ethnically specific group, the Dominican Medical Association operates as an ethnic enclave for members of the Dominican community. Doctors, nurses, and other constituents of the Dominican Medical Association with degrees in their respective fields qualify for the associations help in streamlining the job search process.
Those who do not carry an American acknowledged degree in the medical field may turn to the association for help in receiving a medical association or transferring their domestic degree into an American degree.
Interview:
What does the Dominican medical field do for members of the Dominican community or you try to do personally?
- “Quite frankly, I came across this field when I was much younger, I was always trying to help my friends and family and decided on a career that will parallel my ideals. Being part of the medical field, I always try to help spread my ideals, goals and values to other Dominicans who are either in school or college, to help them in any fashion. Personally, I remember as a kid growing up, I never had anybody trying to help me. I had to Study late at night, while my friends were partying. No one was really there for me, to guide me. My parents were both working all day and sometimes, double shifts at night. They always said do well in school but I couldn’t really sit down and talk to them. They had no idea what the SATs were or who wrote any english novels. Really I just want to see if I can help young kids in any way possible. To be there for them and give them advice.
What does it mean to be a doctor in the Dominican community?
- It means to be part of group of people that actually care. I can honestly say that, personally anyway, I will go out of my way for any Dominican student aspiring to be a doctor. Show him or her the ropes in way.
What neighborhood did you grow up in?
- Initially my parents and I lived in Washington Heights. I called it the barrio. I had so many friends, it was hard not to. Everyone knew each other one way or another. I am just reminiscing those days. It was fun but hard, trying to do well in school and make my friends and family happy. There was just too much dissonance in every aspect back then but during the middle of my undergraduate college years I moved to Queens. I lost many friends but I had to do it. I would go back some weekends though and initially it was weird but after time my friends, or whatever was left of them, accepted me and actually were happy and proud.
Do you live in an ethnic enclave, if so how has that affected your acculturation?
- Now? - I was thinking about raising my kids back in my neighborhood but both my wife and I agreed that we do not really want our kids to face the same hardships we did. We live in Queens now and to tell you the truth there aren’t many Dominicans in our neighborhood. That is are some but it’s a very diverse neighborhood. I think that was best for our kids, to see how people interact with each other from all over the world. But they still get to see their Abuelos during the weekends and holidays.
Were you born in the United States? If no, How long have you been living in America?
- I was born in the Dominican Republic and I have been living here for 37 years. I came here when I was 8. Yes I am 45 now, if you are trying to do the math.
If you were asked to identify yourself, would you say you are Dominican, American, or Dominican-American? Why?
- I would say that I am Dominican-American. Dominican first because I was born there no matter what i always feel that I am still part of Dominican Republic. I still keep many of my traditions but I also try to follow sports and American politics.. I do live here and it only makes sense. ( I mentioned that its interesting that he said that because one of our studies talks about a concept called boundary blurring, which was basically what he talked about.)
Do you keep in touch with the relatives or friends that live in the Dominican Republic?
- I mean when I was a kid I would go back more often than I do now but I am just so busy with work its just either every other year or if we are lucky once a year for a weak in the summer. I have some extended family but for the most part a lot of my family is here in NYC.
What language is spoken at your home? Is that your first language?
- I grew up speaking Spanish and I want my kids to speak it as well. But it gets more difficult as they get to school and sometimes I slip up and speak to them in English but for the most part we speak half and half at home.
Do you feel pressured to keep traditions at home, and drop some of those traditions outside of home? –
- That is the beauty of my neighborhood there are so many traditions that it really doesn’t matter. We celebrate most holidays that everyone else does anyway. There really is no pressure to follow my traditions.
Do you want your kids to grow up as Americans or do you wish to teach them Dominican tradition?
- You know before we had our first kid, my wife and I talked about this and we decided that we are going to keep our tradition and whatever they catch on from going to school and learning from wherever they learn is fine with us. As long as they keep some parts of the tradition.
Do you think you have more opportunities than your parents, and do you think your kids will have more opportunities than yourself?
- Certainly I have more opportunities than my parents. When we came here, we were very poor. They worked sometimes two jobs. But because they did what they had to I was able to apply myself. They kept saying do well in school don’t follow our footsteps. I looked around and not many of my friends from childhood went to college or even graduated. I was close to dropping out and working myself but they pulled me through that part of my life. I thank them for what they did and how they raised me all my life. I hope I can do the same and more for my kids. In a way, it only makes sense that it would be easier for me and for my kids as well.