Today we’d like to introduce you to Eniola Otukoya.
Hi Eniola, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey to medicine has been quite unconventional. No one in my family is a physician or a scientist. To be honest, no one in my family even sought routine medical care when I was younger, this is very common in Nigeria. Despite the lack of scientific and medical role models, I knew when I was six years old where my future was headed; I wanted to be a scientist. Growing up within a traditional rural community in Lagos, Nigeria, I regularly experienced negative sentiments toward western medicine and science. Feeding my scientific curiosity, I quickly cast myself as the family outsider as I waited diligently each day for my fix of Dexter’s Laboratory to come on the television. Dexter, an American animated television series, chronicled the life of a boy doing science experiments secretly in his room, hidden away from his family and friends. Through Dexter’s vision, this young Nigerian girl could see a world that stretched far outside her window and sparked wonder and drive to actively engage in medicine and science.
I moved to the United States (U.S.) when I was 16 years old to study Biology at Texas Southern University (TSU) and further pursue my goal to become a physician. At TSU, I learned about human biology and spent time in Dr. Miranda’s laboratory genotyping an endangered bird. I felt fortunate to have experiences I had always wished for as a kid. I was finally able to be my own Dexter’s Laboratory! As my foundation in science strengthened, I pushed myself to pursue advanced biology research through the Summer Undergraduate Program for Educating Radiation Scientists (SUPERS), where I worked on improving cancer immunotherapeutic strategies. This work impacted the rest of my education at TSU because I learned how to think critically, which will play a significant role in my future career.
Coming from a community that stigmatized healthcare, I tried to shadow physicians to learn more about healthcare in the U.S. Through the SUPERS program at the University of Pennsylvania, I was able to appreciate the life of a physician by shadowing a radiation oncologist. Watching her interact with patients and devise plans of treatment that improved their standard of living fueled my desire to become a physician. Through this experience, I noticed that, just like in Nigeria, most minority patients did not seek medical services until their illness reached end-stage, and many were unaware that mental health resources were available. This stirred up a desire in me to disseminate information on physical and mental well-being to minority communities.
Today, I am an international medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in the big apple of New York City, who said dreams do not come true? My experiences from early childhood in Nigeria to a medical student in the U.S have molded me into a person ready to face challenges. Lacking a scientific role model, notably lacking a black female physician role model, has motivated me to push forward despite my hardships. It has motivated me to become the first in my family to go to college in a foreign country, and it will motivate me to serve as a mentor for future black girls following in my footsteps. Nevertheless, my curiosity and drive to evoke change in healthcare through direct patient care and biomedical research have prepared me to become a medical student and a future physician. Engagement in undergraduate research opportunities and volunteering in medical clinics strengthened my ambition. As I grew from a budding child scientist, the lessons I learned and the path I took to get to this moment have shaped the adult I am today and have prepared me for my journey as a physician. Who knew an American animated television series about a boy performing secret experiments would provide the foundation needed for a Nigerian girl who wanted to ask scientific questions?
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As an international student, I have faced challenges stemming from a lack of resources in the United States and my home country, Nigeria. Growing up, I lived in a rural town hours away from the nearest hospital; therefore, I was unable to learn from physicians back home. I moved to the U.S. thinking my struggles were over, but a new set of challenges emerged. Throughout my time as an undergraduate student, I worked on campus in addition to a full course load. Despite this, I could not afford to live on campus, so I lived with my sister. Living in Houston without a car was difficult, so I faced a two-hour bus commute to campus each way before I finally learned how to drive. Since I didn’t qualify for financial aid, I had to apply for scholarships to cover the costs of furthering my education. While engaged in extracurriculars, research, community service, and healthcare shadowing, I worked all through college as a tutor and career service ambassador faced long days at work, but still graduated with summa cum laude.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently mentoring students for free via the F-1 Doctors website. F-1 Doctors provides a platform for students worldwide to gain mentorship from international medical students, residents, and attendings with immigration visas. Since I joined the organization, I have been able to help guide multiple students through the process of applying to medical school, gaining relevant experiences needed to stand out during this process and preparing for the entrance exams needed to secure an acceptance in a U.S medical institution.
https://www.f1doctor.com/mentors-2-0/eniola
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I attribute all my success to God for leading me to people and experiences that played a major role in my decision to pursue medicine. I want to thank my family especially my mum for all her prayers and my eldest sister for being my second mum. I would also like to thank my alma mater Texas Southern University and the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College for providing me with advisors, resources, and lifelong friends who have encouraged me every step of the way.
Pricing:
- FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/otusval
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otus_valentina/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/otus_valentina
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgsKYGg08JWUkqrbxU6KaTA
Image Credits
Jessica Diete-Spiff IG: spiff_shots
