Nashville, TN- The career path a child chooses is not always a popular one for parents, but at Meharry Medical College, following in the footsteps of a grandparent, parent or even a sibling is common. For one reason — Meharry is family.
Janaya Nelson is undeniably part of that family, as Meharry has a profound impact on her life — she is a legacy student four times over. Her father, Artie C. Nelson, M.D. ’84; mother, Stacy Haynes Nelson, M.D. ’84; and older sister, Kamaria Nelson Johnson, M.D. ’17, are all Meharrians, with her mother and sister representing the 3% of dermatologists in the United States who are African American.
“I’ve always had a special connection with my parents — especially my mom and sister. But now it feels even deeper as I am following in their footsteps studying medicine with a specialty in dermatology,” Janaya says. “They didn’t just raise me or grow up with me; they showed me what it looks like to walk in purpose.”
Janaya is one of more than 100 student doctors at Meharry who will have their futures as residents-in-training revealed at Match Day on Friday, March 20, 2026. The opening of the envelope — and the message inside — dictates where they will continue their medical training for the next three to seven years.
“Matching into dermatology isn’t just a personal achievement. It feels like stepping into a legacy — one that my mom started, my sister continued, and now I have the privilege to be a part of,” Janaya says.
According to Online MedEd, dermatology is one of the most competitive and selective specialties due to its balance of clinical practice, procedural work, visual diagnostics and lifestyle-friendly hours. Spots are limited, and the applicant pool is highly competitive.
Janaya’s interest in dermatology is rooted in watching her mother and sister work in the field, but her passion deepens through her personal experience with alopecia.
“Living with alopecia makes me overly aware of how skin and hair conditions affect not only physical appearance but emotional well-being and self-esteem. What could have been a scarring childhood experience is transformed through the compassion and persistence of my dermatologist and my mom,” she says.
“She doesn’t just treat my scalp and regrow my hair with personalized, innovative treatments, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), microneedling, scalp injections and prescription medications — she restores my confidence and sense of self at an age when others do not. Her ability to combine medical knowledge with emotional care stays with me, and over time, it shapes my desire to pursue this specialty, where I can do the same for others.”
Match Day will ignite Janaya Nelson present and future as she learns where she will continue her medical journey — bringing her passion for helping others to a place where she can make a difference while carrying forward her family’s legacy of service.
Written by: Jolene Butts Freeman, AVP Communications and Marketing
