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

University of Washington School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Sarah Rasmussen-Rehkopf

University of Washington School of Medicine

Sarah Rasmussen-Rehkopf discusses access to healthcare in rural areas, why she is pursuing primary care, and making the path to medical education more accessible.

University of Washington School of Medicine

University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

ElevateMeD Scholar: Kendra Roland

University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Kendra Roland shares how a life changing moment brought her clarity and purpose, and how the journey to medicine doesn't have to be hard with community support.

University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Owen Sáenz

The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Owen Sáenz talks about what drew his interest to emergency medicine and how he will use empathy, resilience and being bi-lingual to benefit patients.

The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

University of Minnesota Medical School

ElevateMeD Scholar: Khadra Hussein

University of Minnesota Medical School

Khadra Hussein shares her interest in advocacy for women's health and how transparent mentorship helped when facing imposter syndrome during her medical school journey.

University of Minnesota Medical School

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Casey Martinez

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Casey Martinez shares why she is passionate about advancing the healthcare system as a Hispanic female physician. Martinez seeks to encourage others through mentorship and teaching.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Univeristy of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

ElevateMeD Scholar: Ayomide Odeneye

Univeristy of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Ayomide Odeneye shares how pursuing challenging activities brought him to a career in medicine and how ElevateMeD stands as a formidable force against the barriers to pursue medicine.

Univeristy of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Campus

ElevateMeD Scholar: Steven Prado

Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Campus

Steven Prado talks about his passion for medicine and becoming an inspiration for other medical students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Campus

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

ElevateMeD Scholar: Reyna Benitez

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Reyna Benitez shares why she is pursuing a career in rural family medicine and how her experiences will help make her a more empathetic and effective physician.

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Fatoumata Jawo

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fatoumata Jawo discusses her passion for closing language barriers in mental health and why she is pursuing a career in psychiatry.

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Texas Christian University School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Christopher Corona

Texas Christian University School of Medicine

Christopher Corona shares why he chose a career in medicine, his interest in primary care or pediatrics, and being a leader in medicine.

Texas Christian University School of Medicine

Donor Spotlights

News

The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Partners with ElevateMeD

What does The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and #ElevateMeD have in common? A commitment to HEALTH EQUITY!

"The Many" of Mayo Clinic

Watch remarks from Mayo Clinic CEO in Arizona, Dr. Richard Gray shared remarks this year and was introduced by 2024-25 ElevateMeD Scholar and 4th year Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine medical student, Casey Martinez.

How Student Organizations Like @OhioAMSA Help Support ElevateMeD

Student organizations like Ohio University American Medical Student Association help us engage bright minds and expand our reach. These organizations are filled with future physicians who will become leaders, thinkers, and doers. We must not only look for ways to partner with these student organizations but also continue to encourage and support them along their physician journey.

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!

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 Three New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

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

Guest User

Congratulations to our Advisory Board Members on #Match2022!

Guest User

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!

Guest User

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