Arabia Mollette - Professional Education

Tragedies Inspire Woman to Become Emergency Medicine Physician

Arabia Mollette, MD, was raised by a single mother in housing projects in the South Bronx, “where poverty, drugs, alcohol and crime” were nothing unusual. But young Arabia dreamed of bigger things — ever since she was five years old, she wanted to be a doctor. Today, Dr. Mollette is in her last year of residency at Newark Beth Israel’s Emergency Medicine program.

Two major events pushed Dr. Mollette toward emergency medicine. First was the day in 1998 when her baby boy was killed. She was 17 at the time. Then years later, Dr. Mollette’s 19-year-old sister was shot and killed.

In the midst of these horrific situations, she drilled physicians with a whole host of specific medical questions, so impressing them that they encouraged her to become an emergency medicine physician – despite her tough upbringing in an underserved community.

Dr. Mollette wants to leverage her medical career to build a “mini medical school” program for young black and Hispanic children who live in underserved areas. “Community service will always be a part of what I do,” she says. “I grew up in a poor family and my community was plagued with crime and poverty, with little access to a better education. It’s important for children in those communities to have role models and I hope that I will be able to inspire and influence them just like other doctors inspired me.”

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center - Newark
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is one of four RWJBarnabas Health hospitals that offer residency programs to train a new generation of doctors who will serve our communities throughout New Jersey.

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