Three Doctors Make Pact for Success
Childhood friends make a pact to fight their way out of poverty to become doctors.
Upon first meeting at University High School in Newark, NJ, Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis and George Jenkins were kindred spirits. They were three young men trying to get an education and exceed everyone’s expectations of an African-American male coming out of one of New Jersey’s poorest cities – some overcoming juvenile criminal records, and drug-addicted parents.
The trio made a pact to stick together and find a way to become doctors. Determined not to become victims of their environment, they stood firm in their mission and together became one of the most remarkable success stories of inspiration, dedication and determination. They have become two physicians and a dentist who have remained in Newark to practice medicine and motivate others to take the high road out of poverty and adversity through education.
The Three Doctors have created a foundation to channel that positive energy and determination into the lives of other youngsters in the community. Dr. Hunt acknowledges, “My passion exists because others believed in me and if I can trigger that same passion in someone else, then I’ll try my best to do just that.” According to their Web site, the foundation’s objective is to increase community volunteerism and leadership; improve the quality of life among inner city youth and families; and generate key partnerships with community leaders and peer organizations to maximize program results.
After graduating from University High School, they supported each other as they all went to Seton Hall University in pre-med, and pre-dental programs. From there, Dr. Davis and Dr. Hunt received a medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Hunt received his dental degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. After reaching their educational goals, and fulfilling their personal dreams, they became equally committed to reaching back into their community and becoming positive and active role models.
The Three Doctors Foundation is focused on health, mentorship, leadership and education. They sponsor events such as the Positive Peer Challenge and Mentor Day to provide the support systems that others may not have to succeed in one of New Jersey’s poorest neighborhoods. In addition, the three men have written three books and started a scholarship for Newark high school students. They have received an Essence Award and were recently the subject of a documentary on public television, titled “The Pact.”
Malique, a young boy who meets the doctors at a local book signing, shares many of the same hardships that they faced. They have taken him under their wing. Malique shakes hands with Bill Cosby.
Today, Dr. Jenkins proudly serves as Assistant Professor of the Clinical Dentistry Section of Adult Dentistry at Columbia University. Dr. Davis is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician at St. Michael’s Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center and Easton Hospital. He is the Assistant Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Raritan Bay Medical Center. He is the Vice President of Physician Recruitment for Physician Practice Enhancement. He also works directly with the Violence Prevention Institute of New Jersey focusing on gang violence and preventative medicine. Dr. Hunt is a board certified internist at University Medical Center at Princeton and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.