The first graduates of the Medical Scholars Pipeline Program at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University got their diplomas and are ready for what's next.

Dr. Britney Nathan is one of the graduates who was able to have her dreams come true thanks to the program. The program, which was established in 2009, is a pathway for financially challenged high school students from diverse backgrounds in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk to enter the health care profession.

"I know that this is only one leg in the total marathon of becoming a doctor but I'm very excited," says Nathan.

Dr. Nathan's grandmother, who is a retired nurse, served as a major inspiration to her.

"I also just wanted to make sure that I made a mark in the world in a way that truly resonates with every part of me, so I love the fact that as a doctor I can be an advocate for my patients," says Nathan. "I can really just be able to help them with the knowledge that I gained over the years."

Nathan will begin her residency on July 1 at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center.