Sometimes, when one reflects on their life and career, they can see the many things that led them to where they are today.

For Amber Clark, M.D., the steps that would guide her career journey started at a young age and would lead her to her latest accomplishment, one of twelve inaugural cohort members in a Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship.

Early Life

Her mother, a pharmacist, would bring young Amber to work—where she was exposed to the medical field and the ability to help people. While she admired the role of a pharmacist, she knew she wanted a career that worked more hands on with patients.

Along with her mother, her father—an entrepreneur—instilled in Dr. Clark and her sisters that having a career isn't just about having a paycheck; it's about using something you love to do to serve people. She explained, "Having a servant's heart is checking the posture of your heart; it's knowing the reason for what you do and asking, 'What grounds you?'" For her, it Is her faith in God.

As a child, Dr. Clark was also involved in dance. To combine these two passions, she imagined going into sports medicine. Until she found physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)

An Introduction to PM&R

Upon the suggestion of her sister's friend, Dr. Clark took to the third floor of Brown University's School of Medicine to learn more about the specialty. Dr. Clark described, "The third floor has large windows that look out at a beautiful view. I remember being there in that moment—reading a description of PM&R and the hopeful outlook it offers people, thinking, 'This is it!'"

While the field of PM&R has officially been around since the 1930s, it was a lesser-known specialty. In fact, Dr. Clark was the first person in 10 years from Brown who would go on to pursue that specialty."

Dr. Clark was elated when she matched at UAB for residency and was influenced by Drs. Kirksey and Kezar and Powell to attend and pursue her interests. After reflecting on that decision, Dr. Clark said, "Being at UAB has been nothing short of extraordinary. I interviewed at other places, and in thinking about the opportunities and investments I've had here—from residency to Junior Faculty—I'm highly confident that wouldn't have happened for me this way at another institution."

Now, Dr. Clark is fulfilling a lifelong dream of helping people through the three tenets of PM&R: improving independence, quality of life, and restoring function—with a focus on stroke survivors and the disabled/minorities with disabilities. She adds, "It's one thing to have a disability; it's another thing to be a minority with a disability. It provides for more disparate circumstances."

Which is why she won't stop there

As part of her undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College, she was selected as a Jackson Heart Study (JHS) Scholar. The JHS is the largest cohort studying African Americans' predisposition to chronic health conditions. In addition, she has had the opportunity to attend several AMA conferences where she learned how physicians can influence government and policy changes.

Experiences such as this allowed Dr. Clark to see how policies could affect change on a large scale, helping people before an issue arose.

Using the knowledge imparted upon her, Dr. Clark has continued to strive for practical training that puts her in a leadership position—capable of affecting change from the top down.

The Fellowship

Having known where Dr. Clark's passions lay, Dr. Powell notified her of a new fellowship opportunity created through the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship.

This fellowship, created alongside the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine, was created to "mobilize physicians to be a part of the next generation of advocacy leaders, driving meaningful policy and structural changes that produce equity and justice in the communities they serve."

Intending to become a health/disability policy expert, Dr. Clark felt that she was exactly where she was supposed to be, as she has many times before. After following the application process, the fellowship committee notified Dr. Clark that she was selected as one of the twelve inaugural cohort members out of 300 applicants.

The first cycle of this fellowship starts September 9, 2021, and will end November 30, 2022, with a capstone project that can be implemented in each doctor's respective community.

When asked what this fellowship means to her, Dr. Clark said, "This fellowship is an answer to my prayers. Along the way, another fellowship turned me down, but I didn't let it discourage me. Now, I know why. I'm confident that after finishing the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship, doors will open that will allow me to take the next step in advocating and being a mouthpiece for the people."

The Future for Dr. Amber Clark

Moving forward in her career, Dr. Clark will conduct qualitative and implementation research projects. She adds, "Nothing can replace human interaction and the art of listing to people. That's where we find gaps."

These experiences have only reaffirmed Dr. Clark of her mission. Having "the trifecta"—Research, Clinical, and Policy experience—is setting her on an unstoppable path toward affecting large-scale, systemic policy changes.