Evelyn Orusa, a second-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine 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.

As a young teenager growing up in Fayetteville, Georgia, Orusa (DO ’27) volunteered as a children’s liturgy aid in her church. That’s where she met a young girl with a cardiac condition.

“She had this wonderful light about her, despite the fact that she had a cardiac condition that required her to wear an external device that monitored her heart and her vitals,” Orusa said. “She would come to Sunday liturgy with a smile on her face with her sister. It was like she didn't let it limit her.”

Orusa was so impressed with the young girl’s positive outlook that she began researching cardiology. That experience led her to PCOM South Georgia, where she is now a second-year student in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program and hopes to pursue a specialty in cardiology.

Before entering medical school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Georgia State University and then worked as a medical scribe in a hospital emergency department. At PCOM South Georgia, Orusa currently serves as co-chair of Sisters in Medicine

Recently Orusa was honored as one of five recipients of the Association of Black Cardiologists’ Dr. Richard Allen Williams Scholarship. The award included a trip to ABC’s 15th Annual Spirit of the Heart Gala, where she received the scholarship. Orusa also attended ABC’s PULSE retreat for medical and pre-med students, where she had the opportunity to use virtual reality simulations and practice simulated heart procedures.

“It was surreal sharing a space with brilliant cardiologists who not only look like me, but are also paving the way for future generations,” she said.

The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, the experience excited Orusa about the specialty she plans to pursue and patients she hopes to help.

“I would like to practice cardiology in underserved populations because there are health literacy deficiencies,” she said. “There's also just a lack of actual health care in underserved communities. I know how it feels just from hearing my parents’ stories about how difficult it was to obtain health care when they first came here to the states. I would just like to give back to that community and also underserved populations in order for them to feel comfortable. I want them to have a voice, someone they can speak to, and someone they can trust.”

 Serving underserved populations is a key part of PCOM South Georgia’s missions.

“I chose PCOM South Georgia because in doing my own research, talking to faculty here and students who come here, they've always said that this campus feels like a family,” Orusa said. “Medical school is so hard, and a lot of people struggle in medical school. From what I heard about PCOM, they take time to check in on you, coach you, tell you to keep your head up. It's like a second family. I've loved it here.”

Orusa is quick to point out that her parents never insisted that she pursue a specific career path.

“My parents wanted me to chase my dreams,” she said. “They didn't try to force me into a box. Each time I speak to them on the phone, when they're checking in on me, they're always telling me how proud they are of me and the fact that I'm still continuing on this journey, still pushing on. They have been so supportive. Hopefully, soon, very soon, I'll be able to stand up and be the first daughter in the Orusa family that is a doctor.”