ElevateMeD Scholar: Onyinye Okonma

Meet Onyinye Okonma

ElevateMeD Scholar 2023-2024

Onyinye Okonma discusses his journey to medicine, the importance of diversity in medicine, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

Interview conducted by: Keiona Eady, @TheAuthenticMessenger

Video editing by: Deanna Reid, @TheSocialPhotog

Hometown: Houston, Texas
Medical Education: Morehouse School of Medicine
Undergraduate Education: University of Houston in Public Health
Current Career Plan: Become an orthopaedic surgeon.
Specialty Interest: Surgical Specialty
I am most proud of my resilience in facing obstacles head on and coming out on top each time.
You might be surprised to know that I am a hyper-realistic portrait artist and self taught pianist by ear since 3rd grade.
ElevateMeD is… a champion of alleviating the financial challenges of medical education. They also bridge the gap many medical students have with mentorship and leadership.

Other ElevateMeD Scholars

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News Spotlights

Scholar Spotlights

News

Morehouse School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Onyinye Okonma

Morehouse School of Medicine

Onyinye Okonma discusses his journey to medicine, the importance of diversity in medicine, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Rowan University Cooper Medical School

ElevateMeD Scholar: Samantha Rosa

Rowan University Cooper Medical School

Samantha Rosa shares what inspired her to pursue medicine, the cost to do so, and what pushes her to keep going.

Rowan University Cooper Medical School

University of Illinois College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Ejehi Erewele

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Ejehi Erewele describes her journey to medicine, understanding the cost, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

ElevateMeD Scholar: Georgina Dominique

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Georgina Dominique shares her aspirations growing up to be a doctor, the cost of pursuing medicine, and what inspires her to keep going.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Howard University College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Deja Rush

Howard University College of Medicine

Deja Rush discusses her journey to medicine, understanding the cost, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

Howard University College of Medicine

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

ElevateMeD Scholar: Emily Sowah

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Emily Sowah shares how she became inspired to pursue medicine, understanding the cost, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

UT Southwestern Medical School

ElevateMeD Scholar: Perpetuah Sherman

UT Southwestern Medical School

Perpetuah Sherman discusses the cost of medicine, why diversity in medicine is important, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

UT Southwestern Medical School

ElevateMeD Scholar: Banahene Glover

UT Southwestern Medical School

Banahene Glover shares what inspires him to keep going, the cost of medicine, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

UT Southwestern Medical School

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Evans Osuji

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Evans Osuji discusses his journey from athletics to medicine, being inspired by a physician on a similar path, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Emily Plumage

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Emily Plumage shares her journey to medicine, understanding the cost, and the impact of mentorship.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Donor Spotlights

News

Why Council & Associates Gives.

Each year since 2019, Council and Associates LLC has risen to the occasion to become an event sponsor for our Explosion of a Dream and Ignite Atlanta scholarship events. We asked owner, Lashonda Council-Rogers, Esq., to share the why behind her generous giving and to give a view of what she experiences attending ElevateMeD events as a sponsor.

Walton Isaacson Helps ElevateMeD Support The Future of Medicine

Founded in 2006, Walton Isaacson is one of the most respected advertising agencies in the world, having worked with clients such as Lexus, McDonalds, and Amazon to name a few.

Love, Tito’s Continues Support of ElevateMeD Mission During Black History Month

Thank you #LoveTitos for continuing to support our mission and acknowledging the work that we are doing to elevate the field of medicine!

All Medical Personnel donates over $43,000 to ElevateMeD

All Medical Personnel’s partnership with ElevateMeD continues with a generous donation of $43,000 in 2022. In 2021, $52,647 was raised totaling over $95,000 for the past two years.

Bayless Commitment to Mental Health Scholarship

As part of a two-year pledge to ElevateMeD, this special scholarship is awarded to ElevateMeD Scholars who present a desire to pursue a medical career that will impact mental health in communities of color.

Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation Grants $50K to ElevateMeD Scholar

In 2019, our organization was introduced to Dr. Timothy Gooding and Mrs. Alisa Gooding, two of the co-founders of Arizona based nonprofit Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation.

Couple Fundraises for Nonprofit Through Registry in Lieu of Wedding Gifts

The generosity of ElevateMeD Mentor Dr. Louise Yeung and her husband has truly shown us how together we can give in creative ways!

Tito's Handmade Vodka Supports ElevateMeD for Black History Month

Thank you #LoveTitos for continuing to support our mission and acknowledging the work that we are doing to elevate the field of medicine!

All Medical Personnel partners with ElevateMeD

With the support of their employees and CEO, a gift for $52,647.00 was presented to ElevateMeD on January 18, 2022. We are grateful to All Medical Personnel for their support of our Scholars program and look forward to highlighting their work at our events throughout the year.

In Honor of Diana 'DeeDee' Issacs Sturr

On October 2, 2021, we revealed a new donor level titled “Securing the Future of Medicine”, in honor of the late Diana ‘DeeDee’ Issacs Sturr aka “Wonder Woman“

RICARDO CORREA, MD, EDD, FACP, FACE, FACMQ

Health Care Disparities and the Latinx Population (Read Article)

MARISSA VASQUEZ, MD, MBA

Latinas in Motion Impacting the Sports Industry (Read Article)

News

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Our Newest Board Member Dr. Jeshenna Watkins

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Board Member…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

Keiona Eady

Congratulations to our Advisory Board Members on #Match2022!

Keiona Eady

Congratulations are in order for our Advisory Board Members Sophia Ederaine and Johanny Lopez Dominguez! We were honored to celebrate with them this #MatchDay2022, as they both learned about their residency upon graduation this Spring!

Keiona Eady

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey Receives the 2020 Dean's Diversity/Inclusion Award at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

It was not easy for me

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

I decided to join the Board of Directors for ElevateMeD because it aligns with my core value of inclusion. The literature showed that to provide the best healthcare to our patients, we need to understand their culture, speak their language, among other factors.

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

The time to transform healthcare is now!

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Healthcare is my ministry. It is a calling and my inroad to impact social change. I firmly believe that any disparity within our industry serves as a microcosm for injustices that continue to plague society-at-large. I am on a mission to truly transform healthcare and looking to partner with anyone that shares the same mindset.

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

You can't be what you can't see.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

I chose to pursue a career in anesthesiology because I enjoy moment-to-moment decision making as well as the practical application of physiology and pharmacology. 3% of anesthesiologists are reported to identify as Black/African-American. Of those 3%, the majority are women.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

Patrick Brooks, CPA

How do students make it through without support?

Patrick Brooks, CPA

As a CPA, I was even more drawn to the organization due to our commitment to ensuring that our scholars are financially educationally equipped and prepared to navigate through their medical school matriculation fully informed.

Patrick Brooks, CPA

Bert Vargas MD, FAAN

Fewer publications, less likely to be promoted, and less likely to be retained...

Bert Vargas MD, FAAN

Despite the fact that African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American populations make up nearly a third of the US population, as of 2016 they comprised only 17% of faculty at academic medical centers.

Bert Vargas MD, FAAN