Mary Ojukwu

UConn School of Medicine, Class of 2018

I am a first generation Nigerian-American born in Austin, TX who has had the experience of living in various states and cities throughout my childhood. My upbringing allowed me to witness how various local, state, and national environments affect one’s access to healthcare. Throughout my years as a student, I merged my ability in the sciences with my understanding of the personal challenges faced by people from a similar social-economic background in order to pursue health care initiatives aimed at improving the health of various underserved populations in my community. My work with various clinics, hospitals, and non-profit organizations such as the Windham Hospital, African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association and the Health Education Outreach Program in the last six years has allowed me to teach, empower, and enhance the health of individuals of low socioeconomic status. In addition, I have learned how cultural norms, lack of citizenship, and lack of adequate shelter in ethnic communities all disenfranchise individuals from the American healthcare system. I hope to continue my work with underserved communities through my time in the Urban Service Track. The experience will be paramount in helping me achieve my goal of training to become a physician who is actively and effectively engaged with underserved urban populations and with the political affairs needed to improve the quality of healthcare available to them. Furthermore, I believe the UST will grant me the ability to take part in the emerging primary care movements aimed at revolutionizing primary care for the neediest populations.