Onorere “Ono” Okojie (DO '28), a first-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), is driven to pursue medicine by a complicated and lengthy battle with her own health.
Raised in Howard County, Maryland, Okojie grew up with two brothers and a sister. Her early years included significant health challenges, including food allergies and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Additionally, she experienced anxiety and depression, exposing her to the complexities of managing both mental and physical health. These formative challenges have fueled her determination to pursue a career in medicine, where understanding and compassion are critical.
“Malfunction of one organ can affect the whole body,” Okojie said. “That's the importance of understanding the body in a holistic way, to have a better understanding of how everything is interconnected.”
In 2022, Okojie’s health deteriorated dramatically after getting COVID-19. Intense abdominal pain made even simple activities like eating and sitting almost unbearable. Additionally, she developed food sensitivities to what seemed like everything and often had to take Benadryl to calm the reaction.
Okojie consulted numerous specialists, including endocrinologists, allergists, neurologists, cardiologists and gastroenterologists. Despite an array of tests and procedures, including colonoscopies, endoscopies, and an abdominal CT scan, no conclusive diagnoses emerged. With her symptoms affecting practically every aspect of her well-being, she felt overwhelmed and frustrated.
“It's so, so, so scary when you don't know what’s going on with your body, and it gives me a whole new perspective on the patients who will walk through my door,” Okojie said. “Invisible illnesses are important to understand. Just because people may not look sick on the outside, it doesn't mean they aren't sick or experiencing symptoms.”
Okojie is continuing to seek perspectives from as many providers as possible. She has made some lifestyle changes, including a dairy- and gluten-free diet, in addition to taking supplements to aid digestion, eating small meals, and listening to the clues her body gives her.
She said she's grateful for the support of her family members, friends, providers and PCOM for helping her along her journey of getting back to optimal health, and she is excited to help do the same for patients as a future doctor.
“The importance of empathy, compassion and understanding others' lived experiences goes a long way,” she said, adding that seeking support is critical. “You're stronger when you reach out for help than when you don't.”
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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