Hometown: Irvington, NJ
Name of Undergraduate Institution(s): The College of New Jersey, Georgia Southern University
Major(s)/Minor(s) in College: Biology Major
Name of Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Favorite Quote: “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
Contact Info: cohamadike@gmail.com
Additional Links:
SNMA-MCG IG page: @snma_mcg
SNMA-MCG website: www.mcgsnma.wixsite.com/snma
Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path?
I am currently a second-year medical student at the Medical College of Georgia. I chose medicine because of what it embodies: leadership, service and perseverance – all for the betterment of others. One of the biggest life circumstances that continually draws me towards medicine is the story of my birth. When unexpected circumstances threatened my future, it was the persistence of the medical team along with the prayers of others, that saved my life. Medicine allows me to give back in the same capacity by being an agent of change in the community and in the lives of individuals.
If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell him?
I would only tell myself to stay the course and never get too high or too low. Over the years, I have learned to live life without regrets. Every moment, positive or negative, is a necessary component of the present.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?
I would tell an aspiring medical student two things: 1) If you are sure that medicine is what you want to pursue, do not allow anyone or anything to deter you from that goal. Things may seem rocky, and people will tell you that your pursuits are a waste of time. However, if you are giving 100%, things will eventually fall into place. 2) I would challenge the student to look beyond their comfort zones. The greatest lesson I learned in college was the value of studying with people who were different from me. Developing a diverse outlook gave me more opportunities for personal and academic growth.
What is a major challenge you have had to overcome and how did you do so?
One major challenge I overcame was during my undergraduate years. Out of 80 Biology/Pre-Med students at The College of New Jersey, I was the only black male in my class. From the onset, I had to overcome the self-induced pressure of being the only student from a certain demographic. The pressure came with test anxiety and under-performance despite my efforts. It was not until a professor encouraged me to reach out to other classmates outside of my comfort zone that things began to change. From then on, I saw an immediate improvement in my performance. I was also able to make great friends that I would not have made otherwise.
Do you have any passions outside of school? If so, what are they?
In addition to my faith, some of my passions include sports (I’m a huge New York Giants fan). I also enjoy music, namely guitar, drums and piano. I recently picked up writing, and hope to continue with it.
In regards to dating, what kind of qualities are you looking for in someone?
A woman who is God-fearing, compassionate, intelligent, laughs at my jokes, and could make me laugh (which is rare).
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in at your school?
At the Medical College of Georgia, I have the privilege of serving on our Class Honor Council. I also serve as Vice President of our local SNMA chapter.
Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective with us Cheejo! It is greatly appreciated by both myself and those that are reading this feature! And I agree with your point about expanding beyond your comfort zone; it definitely opens doors that you would have never thought possible!
Health Career Spotlights Home Page
Posted on January 25th, 2017