Keith Baptiste
Power Words
Where were you born?
Brooklyn, New York
What school did you attend?
I started my education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan where I earned a Bachelors degree in English and a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I also attended Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia where I earned my Associates degree in Nursing.
What gained you interest in the NIH?
I had been working at one of the last surviving, privately owned psychiatric hospitals in Maryland as I was finishing my nursing degree. A friend that I had worked with previously had gotten a job at NIH and told me that it was the best hospital he had ever worked for. I made my application as soon as humanly possible and was interviewing for my job soon there after.
What kind of work do you do at the NIH?
I am a Senior Clinical Research Nurse on a pediatric behavioral health research unit. It is our responsibility to support the research being conducted for the National Institute of Mental Health by giving highly specialized care to children with psychotic and mood disorders. We are also responsible for data collection regarding the patients responses and behavior during different phases of research.
What message would you like to send to young Blacks who are considering going to college?
While we may all come from different backgrounds, cultures and socio-economic settings, there can always be influences that discourage us from doing challenging things to improve our lives. In today's world a college degree is a minimum requirement for success. Not only does a college degree prepare you for a chosen career or profession, it teaches you the things you need to know about the world around you. This knowledge and experience is what allows you to navigate the game of life effectively and successfully.