By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Dr. Gabrielle Denize Newsam, AMU Graduate
Today, continued advancements in healthcare allow medical professionals to diagnose and treat an extraordinary range of medical conditions. American Military University (AMU) alumna Dr. Gabrielle Denize Newsam has used her compassion and perseverance to help in the healing of others while advancing her education in the medical field.
Moving into Medicine
Dr. Newsam knew from an early age that she wanted to become a physician. That early sense of purpose guided her academic and professional decisions.
Extracurricular programs in high school introduced her to the healthcare field. “I enrolled in a program to shadow healthcare professionals, which solidified my desire to become a physician,” she says.
With her career path in medicine clearly defined, Dr. Newsam focused on building a strong academic foundation. She earned both an associate degree in science and a bachelor’s degree in biology from CUNY Medgar Evers College. Later, she completed her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School.
“Becoming a biology major was the right course of action, considering many of those courses are prerequisites for medical school,” she adds.
Expanding Her Education
Dr. Newsam’s drive for growth did not stop with medical school. While exploring some options to further expand her knowledge, she discovered AMU’s online programs and chose sports medicine as a valuable area of study. She enrolled in and completed a bachelor’s degree in sports and health sciences from AMU, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
“I decided on AMU because I was looking for an online sports medicine program. I was working in the weight loss industry, and the degree helped me better instruct my patients,” she explains.
AMU’s flexible and accessible structure made it possible for Dr. Newsam to progress efficiently through her courses while balancing professional responsibilities.
“I liked the fact that tuition was affordable, and the classes were asynchronous and were only for a few weeks, as opposed to a typical semester,” she notes.
Providing Healing to Addicted Patients
Her work with locum tenens introduced Dr. Newsam to substance abuse treatment programs, an experience that would shape her long-term career focus. Today, she serves as a medical director for an opioid treatment program and a plasma donation center in North Carolina.
“I began working in the substance abuse field via locum tenens jobs and have been working in the field for years now,” she says.
Her career path also created the opportunity to help with other areas of healthcare. “I was contacted by a recruiter for a plasma donation center several years ago and have worked in the blood industry ever since,” Dr. Newsam adds.
Expanding Her Talents Beyond Medicine
Beyond her work in healthcare, Dr. Newsam is also an accomplished author and poet. She has published poetry in several anthologies and continues to write novels, poetry, screenplays, and short film scripts.
Some of her published works include:
- Co-authoring literary works with Noelle Vella
- The poem “Justice for Trayvon” in “A Gathering of Words…Poetry and Commentary for Trayvon Martin”
- The poem “Live Your Life” in “Healing Through Words”
- The poem “The Day” in “The Valentine’s Day Anthology”
- The poem “The Encounter” in “Hot Summer Nights 2013: A Collection of Erotic Poetry, Prose & Stories (Volume 2)”
Advice for Future Medical Professionals
Dr. Newsam remains deeply committed to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. As an active participant in AMU’s mentoring program through the Student and Alumni Affairs Department, she regularly offers guidance to aspiring students. Her advice centers on preparation, exploration, and balance.
“Do research regarding the field of interest,” Dr. Newsam advises. “Shadow people in the industry to gauge your interest in the profession.”
Dr. Newsam also emphasized the importance of a healthy work-life relationship. “Make sure your field of interest will provide the type of work-life balance you want.”
Giving Back Through Mentorship
Dr. Newsam continues to stay engaged with the AMU alumni community and strongly believes in the transformative power of education. The Student and Alumni Affairs Department provides a wide range of mentor and mentorship opportunities to students and alumni.
“I believe in the power of education to transform lives, and I love to give back to my community by sharing knowledge and mentoring other students,” Dr. Newsam says.
Interested in participating in our mentoring program? Whether you want to be a mentor or mentee, check out the mentoring program offered through the Alumni Affairs Department. With the ability to guide others or seek guidance from experience, the university’s mentoring program can be for any student or alumni.
Through medicine, mentorship, and creative expression, Dr. Newsam continues to demonstrate that healing takes many forms and that a life dedicated to service can extend well beyond the clinic.
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 16 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
Comments are closed.