Evelyn Orusa (DO ‘27), a second-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) student at PCOM South Georgia, has been named one of five recipients of the prestigious Dr. Richard Allen Williams Scholarship from the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC). The scholarship recognizes outstanding medical students who aspire to impact underserved communities.
Orusa’s journey into medicine was inspired during her teenage years in Fayetteville, Georgia, where she encountered a young girl with a cardiac condition.
“She had this wonderful light about her, despite having to wear an external heart monitor,” Orusa said. This interaction sparked her interest in cardiology.
Before medical school, Orusa earned a degree in biomedical sciences from Georgia State University and worked as a medical scribe in an emergency department. At PCOM South Georgia, she serves as co-chair of Sisters in Medicine, an initiative dedicated to supporting Black women in medical and graduate school through mentorship, community engagement, and research on Black maternal health.
The scholarship award allowed Orusa to attend ABC’s 15th Annual Spirit of the Heart Gala and participate in the PULSE retreat, where she engaged in virtual reality and simulated heart procedures.
“It was surreal sharing a space with brilliant cardiologists who not only look like me but are paving the way for future generations,” she said.
A daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Orusa plans to specialize in cardiology, focusing on underserved populations.
“There are health literacy deficiencies and a lack of health care in underserved communities,” she noted. Her mission is to offer care and advocacy, inspired by her parents’ struggles accessing quality health care when they immigrated to the United States.
“My parents have always encouraged me to chase my dreams,” Orusa said. “Hopefully, soon, I’ll be the first doctor in the Orusa family.”
In 2019, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a premier osteopathic medical school with a storied 125-year history, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing PCOM South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, PCOM South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. PCOM is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining PCOM Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, PCOM South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
Cindy B. Montgomery
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Email: cindymo@pcom.edu
Office: 229-668-3198 | Cell: 229-873-2003
© 2024 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine