ElevateMeD Scholar: GaResia Woods

Meet GaResia Woods

ElevateMeD Scholar 2026-27

GaResia Woods is focused on being there when it matters. Working with students in communities who were navigating systems that essentially weren't built for them, helped her realize the impact she could make as physician working to minimize the gaps in health care.

• Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

• Medical Education: Meharry Medical College

• Undergraduate Education: Howard University in Chemistry

• Current Career Plan: Pursue residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and ultimately practice as a physician dedicated to advancing reproductive health equity. I am particularly passionate about caring for underserved communities and hope to one day open a clinic that provides accessible, high-quality, and culturally competent care for women of color.

• Specialty Interest: Obstetrics and Gynecology

• I am most proud of helping initiate and grow gynecologic services at the Salt Wagon Clinic to meet a need that was previously unmet in our community. What started as a vision has become a space where patients can access essential reproductive health services in a setting that prioritizes dignity, trust, and accessibility. Seeing the clinic evolve and directly impact patients has been incredibly meaningful. It has reinforced my commitment to not only identify gaps in care, but to actively work toward filling them.

• You might be surprised to know that I’ve recently gotten into film photography. I picked it up as a hobby, but I’ve really grown to love it. It gives me something completely different from medicine to focus on. Whenever I have downtime or I’m traveling, I like to shoot and I’m working on getting better with each roll. It’s been a fun way to slow down and just enjoy being present.

• ElevateMeD is… a space where I can be poured into while continuing to grow into the physician I aspire to be. It represents an intentional investment in the future of medicine. One that creates opportunities for students to learn, lead, and flourish. To me, ElevateMeD is not only a source of support, but a community that understands the challenges of navigating a path that may not always feel designed for us, and actively works to change that narrative.