This day serves as a vital reminder to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Black women in medicine, a group that represents a small yet impactful percentage of physicians.
Meet Maseray S. Kamara, MD
Dr. Maseray S. Kamara is a passionate colon and rectal surgeon serving the DMV area, with a focus on robotic surgery and anorectal diseases. As a first-generation Sierra Leonean American, she was born and raised in Virginia and pursued her medical education at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Dr. Kamara completed her general surgery residency at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University and further specialized in colon and rectal surgery through her fellowship at the University of Michigan/Trinity Health Ann Arbor. She is actively involved in various professional organizations, including the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the Society of Black Colon & Rectal Surgeons, the Association of Women Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.
What inspired you to become a surgeon?
Dr. Kamara: During medical school, I found my passion in two distinct areas of the hospital: the operating room and the family waiting room. In the operating room, my hands-on personality and kinesthetic learning style flourished. Meanwhile, in the waiting room, I witnessed the crucial role of surgeons in providing updates to anxious family members, helping to solve the physiological and anatomical puzzles of their loved ones, and offering reassurance and comfort. I love being a surgeon because it allows me to address problems in a very tangible way.
Can you explain what your specialty entails and the common conditions you treat?
Dr. Kamara: Colorectal surgery is the surgical management of diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. We manage colorectal and anal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohns and Ulcerative Health, pelvic floor disorders, constipation, anorectal health including hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.
Do you believe in work-life balance? If so, how do you maintain it?
Dr. Kamara: I absolutely believe in work-life balance, though I recognize it as a dynamic process—a constant give and take. Life has its seasons; it’s not always possible to excel in every area at once. However, over time, I strive to create a harmonious life where all the pieces fit together. I prioritize activities that help me reset, reflect, and recharge, such as therapy, professional coaching, attending church, brunching with friends, working out, and indulging in self-care like getting my nails done.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Dr. Kamara: Graduating from medical school stands as my proudest accomplishment to date, especially as the first physician in my family.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Dr. Kamara: My business role model is Oprah Winfrey. She has built a multifaceted and impactful career that extends far beyond being a TV show host – creating a legacy by leveraging her platform to inspire, educate, and uplift others and growing a powerful brand that encompasses media, business, and philanthropy. Similarly, I aspire for my career as a colorectal surgeon to go beyond the operating room. My hope is to create a larger impact by building a community, increasing health literacy of my patients, their families, and communities through medical journalism and engagement, and inspiring women professionals to design lives they truly love.
How can readers connect with you?
Dr. Kamara: You can find me on Instagram: @drkamara
