ElevateMeD Scholar: Fatumastar Adan

Meet Fatumastar Adan

ElevateMeD Scholar 2026-27

Fatumastar Adan believes that health care should be rooted in dignity, equity, and accountability. That it should be afforded to all and not just reserved for the few.

• Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Medical Education: University of Minnesota Medical School

• Undergraduate Education: St. Catherine University in Public Health

• Current Career Plan: Become an excellent orthopedic surgeon dedicated to expanding equitable access to high-quality musculoskeletal care. I am deeply drawn to the power of orthopedics and anatomy, the way surgery can restore mobility, relieve pain, and quite literally give patients their lives back. What excites me most is not just the technical aspect of this work, but the impact it has on a person’s independence, dignity, and ability to fully engage with their life and community. At the same time, I believe strongly that education is one of the most powerful social determinants of health. I want to intentionally integrate accessible education into my practice, ensuring that patients are not only treated, but truly informed, supported, and empowered. Ultimately, my goal is to use both my surgical skills and my dedication to education to improve outcomes and expand access to care in communities that need it most, both locally and globally.

• Specialty Interest: Orthopedic Surgery

• I am most proud of my roots and upbringing. What I once saw as something that made me different, I now recognize as my greatest strength. The collectivist mindset I was raised with has shaped my resilience and my ability to build meaningful, supportive communities wherever I go.

• You might be surprised to know that I am very shy, even though I often come across as extroverted.

• ElevateMeD is… an organization that is dedicated to creating a space where underrepresented medical students can truly thrive. It provides mentorship, leadership development, and financial support, three pillars that are essential for success but often not equally accessible. Through meaningful representation, scholars are able to see themselves reflected in positions of leadership and begin to believe in their own potential. ElevateMeD is deeply committed not only to supporting its scholars in the present, but to creating lasting, generational change. By investing in even one scholar, the impact extends far beyond the individual, reaching the patients they will care for, the communities they will serve, and the future trainees they will mentor and guide. I am truly inspired by this organization and deeply honored to be part of a community so dedicated to empowering and uplifting others.