Sampson Davis; MD
Dr. Sampson Davis’ life has come gratifyingly full-circle. Born as the fifth of six children in one of New Jersey’s poorest cities, Dr. Davis grew up in cramped living quarters, surrounded by fragmented families, crime, and drugs. Still, he was a good student, able to strike the fragile balance between being smart, yet socially acceptable on the streets. It was the skill, Dr. Davis says, most critical to his survival.
While attending University High School in Newark, Dr. Davis met Dr. Rameck Hunt and Dr. George Jenkins, two fellow students who, together, drastically altered the course of one another’s lives. The three bonded immediately, sharing the same dedication to making more of their lives than Newark usually provided. They became each other’s primary support system, studying and socializing almost exclusively together.
Dr. Davis speaks about his own life with complete candor in a style that is a contagious delivery of timely messages. “It is extremely important that I stay in tune with my community.” Dr. Davis focuses often on courage – courage to cope with life’s difficult circumstances, courage to set goals for yourself and most importantly, the courage to accept responsibility for achieving them. Dr. Davis notes that education saved his life. His immediate goal is to “become the Michael Jordan of education” so that learning becomes a glamorized trend throughout all communities.
Dr. Davis considers his 3 D’s – Dedication, Determination, and Discipline, as the necessary ingredients to success. When faced with challenges, the 3 D’s will prevail. It is clear that the compelling story of Dr. Davis and his colleagues, Drs. Jenkins and Hunt contain a message that both young and old can relate to and benefit from. Even Oprah has chimed in, calling The Three Doctors, “The Premiere Role Models of the World”.
Dr. Davis received his bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University, graduating with honors, his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the same hospital in which he was born, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Today, Dr. Davis is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician at several emergency departments in New Jersey.
Dr. Davis is also the author of “Living & Dying in Brick City–An ER Doctor Returns Home”. A riveting personal exploration of the healthcare crisis facing inner-city communities, written by an emergency room physician who grew up in the very neighborhood he is now serving. For more information about Dr. Davis please visit http://www.drsampsondavis.com/.