News
Maurielle Artis '12
Maurielle Artis ’12 is on the verge of achieving her lifelong dream—becoming an ophthalmologist. After earning a psychology degree from Emory University, she gained experience in healthcare before starting medical school in 2020. Now in her final year, she is preparing to make a difference in the lives of others through vision care.
Here, Maurielle reflects on how GPS shaped her confidence, the friendships that continue to impact her life, and why honoring Black History Month is essential for educating and empowering future generations.
Q. Please give a brief overview of your trajectory after GPS and let us know what you are doing now.
A. I went to Emory University and graduated in 2016 with a BA in Psychology. I worked as a CNA, then a Healthcare Hiring Manager until I started medical school in 2020. I'm currently in my final year of medical school aspiring to be an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon).
A. Yes! I've wanted to be an ophthalmologist since I was 9 years old.
Q. Why are you passionate about what you do?
A. My love for vision has grown since I was young. Loss of vision can affect education, career, relationships, and view of self. Being able to provide vision improvement to others is so important and it's something I really want to do.
Q. What were you involved in while at GPS?
A. I played the trumpet and the string bass in the orchestra.
Q. What was your favorite tradition at GPS? Why?
A. Winterim! It gave us the opportunity to really explore our community, country, and sometimes the world. It was also a nice break from school :)
Q. If you could offer one piece of advice to current GPS students, what would it be?
A. GPS is very different from the rest of the world. When you're in that bubble, you don't realize how much you've learned and grown. Enjoy that time and really soak up everything you can, because you're going to use it later.
Q. Do you stay in touch with your classmates? What impact have they had on your life?
A. Some of them! I met my best friend in 10th grade and we talk every day. The girls I met at GPS have taught me how to be a good friend as well as what I will tolerate in a friendship.
Q. Can you point to anything that GPS did to prepare you for your future?
A. GPS made me confident. No one at GPS ever saw me as "Black" or as "that girl that's two years younger than everyone." They saw me as Maurielle. I went into the world knowing I can do anything, learn anything, and be anything no matter what demographic I fall into.
A. My Chapel Talk! I was able to show my passion for martial arts to the school, and I received a lot of love from my classmates.
Q. What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
A. In a few months, I'll be an MD. I think all the work and dedication I put in for medical school is my proudest accomplishment.
A. In today's climate, education is being weaponized. It is so important to recognize that, because the United States is a melting pot, every race has contributed to the history of this country. Giving young students, especially girls, access to that history allows us something that no one can take away from us: knowledge. GPS has a unique responsibility to produce well-educated, empathetic, powerful women. In order to ensure those women are well rounded, they must know the truth.
Read more GPS alumnae profiles here.
