Sydney Ambrose, a junior biology major at Xavier, is making black women’s health a priority with the help of Tampax. She was awarded the Flow it Forward Scholarship in conjunction with the J.W. Carmichael program through Xavier’s pre-med office. 

Tampax's Flow it Forward project strives to end health misinformation by ensuring equal representation and resources in the medical field. Tampax will invest in education to increase the number of black female physicians and healthcare workers. The Flow it Forward project specifically supports The United Negro Fund (UNCF), Girlology Period Program, and Black Women’s Health Imperative by providing annual scholarships. 

Ambrose suffered from severe skin problems as a high school student. A visit to the local dermatologist not only helped to improve her skin but sparked an interest in a career she hadn’t considered. 

“ [The doctor] helped me with my skin issues and I liked her as a person. She didn’t rush me, she actually talked to me and asked me how school was going. I remember thinking to myself this is how I want to make other people feel,” said Ambrose. 

With the help of Tampax, the well-known tampon and feminine hygiene brand owned by  Procter & Gamble, Sydney is one step closer to her dream of becoming a dermatologist one day too. 

“Typically when people think of dermatology they focus on the cosmetic specialty but there is so much more to the field,” she said. “There is also a struggle amongst the minority community with darker skin tones. There are a lot of misconceptions about things that affect our skin. As a minority woman I feel that I can pay attention to these issues and be more relatable for a lot of people,”  

As a Tampax user herself, Ambrose was in disbelief that a company she uses invested in her future. 

“The pre-med office at Xavier is such a blessing. They help us in all of the application components from assisting with our personal statements to resumes,” said Ambrose “They create a timeline to keep us on track, assist us in preparing our applications and so much more. They are a really big help.” 

As Ambrose prepares to take the Medical College Admissions Test, the Flow it Forward scholarship will alleviate the financial burden of the costs, allowing her to focus solely on the exam. She recognizes the positive impact the scholarship has had in her academic career and hopes to assist others. Ambrose believes scholarships similar to Tampax should be provided to minority students.

“In the minority community, finances can be a big issue when it comes to pursuing higher education. I believe many students are unaware that these opportunities exist and we need to learn more ways to raise awareness so students can gain more access to these types of scholarships. Financial hardship should not be the determining factor that prevents people from pursuing medical degrees,” she said. 

Ambrose believes that Xavier has provided her with the tools she needs to be successful in medical school and in the field. She hopes to one day own a private dermatology practice and spend her time volunteering by educating underrepresented communities. Ambrose has learned the importance of giving back. She’s been inspired to pay it forward by starting her own scholarship foundation in the future. 

“Receiving this scholarship has taught me to persevere and stay consistent until you reach your goal,” said Ambrose. “Xavier has taught me to give myself grace and how to maintain self care while balancing school and work. I want to make sure that I give back to others because there are so many people who invested in me and I want to do the same thing. Some advice to future Xavierites: seek out opportunity. There are so many opportunities out there that sometimes only present themselves through networking. Staying connected to your network is important because  you never know when a door will open.” 

For more information on scholarship opportunities, please visit www.xula.edu/scholarships.