How a 2025 Howard University Medical Graduate Transformed Crohn’s Disease into a Life-Changing Mission

Brittany Grossi’s health struggles began in childhood, leaving her confused and in pain. She was often admitted to hospitals, but her condition went largely ignored. “They didn’t take her seriously,” said Grossi, who graduates this month from Howard University with a medical degree.

This situation reflects a wider issue in American healthcare: the medical neglect faced by female patients, especially women of color. Studies show that Black women frequently experience their symptoms being downplayed or misdiagnosed. According to a 2021 report from the National Institute of Health, Black patients are less likely to receive timely treatment compared to white patients, often facing bias in doctors’ assessments.

Ms. Kay, Grossi’s mother, recalls her distress as she witnessed her daughter suffer. “I knew something was wrong, but doctors wouldn’t listen,” she said. Eventually, their persistence led them to a Las Vegas specialist who finally took Grossi’s case seriously. “A doctor told me, ‘I can’t help her, but I know someone who can.’ That honesty was like a breath of fresh air,” Ms. Kay shared.

This doctor referred them to Dr. Marla Dubinsky at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. “I drove my baby there with just $35 and half a tank of gas, hoping for change,” Ms. Kay remembered. Without treatment, Grossi’s condition could have worsened significantly.

At 11, Grossi was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. By 13, after a life-saving surgery to remove part of her small intestine, her life took a turn for the better. “I felt like I could just be a kid again,” Grossi said. She thrived, growing taller and gaining weight, no longer defined by her illness.

Choosing Howard

Despite her health challenges, Grossi excelled academically. Initially, she planned to stay close to home for college. But a conversation with a family friend, a “salon auntie,” encouraged her to consider Howard University.

“She insisted, ‘You should really look at Howard,’” Grossi recalled. After exploring videos about campus life online, she felt a spark. “It felt alive, like a world where I could belong,” she said. So, she secretly applied to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) while ignoring acceptance letters from California schools. When a letter from Howard arrived, she accepted it without hesitation, trusting in the opportunity.

Her path became clearer as she received substantial financial support, including an $80,000 scholarship. After graduating in 2020 with a degree in human performance and sports medicine, Grossi faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic that disrupted her graduation.

A Full Circle Moment

Now, as she completes her medical education, Grossi has matched into a pediatric residency at Emory in Atlanta. Inspired by Dr. Dubinsky, she plans to specialize in pediatric gastroenterology. “Howard taught me the importance of listening to patients,” she said. Her goal is to bring change to how women of color are treated in healthcare settings.

“Many leave hospitals feeling unheard and discouraged,” Grossi noted. “But for me, my experiences motivated me to pursue medicine. I want to be the doctor that listens.” Her journey underscores the urgent need for empathy and understanding in healthcare, especially for those who have faced long-standing neglect.

Ms. Kay sees the transformation in her daughter. “Brittany will be the kind of doctor who brings comfort to those who have been told ‘no’ too many times,” she said. “The world needs that kind of doctor.”