Sidney Okon

Sidney as a medical student

Sidney as a child

• A few basic facts about me:

  I’m currently a medical student at USF Morsani College of Medicine.

• What kind of identities do you inhabit?

  Black, Nigerian, First generation

• The path to medicine is not easy. Can you tell us why you decided to pursue it?

  I'm a first-generation Nigerian. Although I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, I frequently visited the rest of my family in Nigeria during my childhood, and most recently visited in 2017. While I am grateful for the opportunity to travel across the globe to see my family, I was often saddened while there. Members of my family in Nigeria suffered from a range of conditions, from heart failure that didn’t allow them to walk beyond their complex, to severe back problems didn’t allow them to stand up straight and also restricted them to the confines of their homes. As a naïve child, I always wondered why every time I went to Nigeria my family members seemed so much less healthy. This curiosity led me to discover and understand the wider structural and societal issues that lead to disparities in health. It also fueled my desire for things to be different. Ultimately, this desire led me to pursue medicine with the goal of being a physician who helps reduce health disparities.

• Can you describe a challenging moment in medicine that made you rethink your career path?

  My most challenging moment in medicine was probably receiving the results of STEP 1. While I knew that there was a lot going on in my life at the time, my results made me feel extremely inadequate. I sat and stared at my computer screen and the results for hours, just glued to my seat. I started to panic. I questioned my future, my value in the medical field, and wondered if I'd be able to recover. In hindsight, I realize that I just had high expectations of myself, and while I did not meet my goals for the exam, I was still worthy. I reached out to my support network and was reminded that my experience was not unusual. I began to channel these feelings I have into motivation to do much better on STEP 2. As a result, what ended up being what I felt was my biggest failure thus far as a medical student has ironically become the largest source of fuel to my fire.

• Why are you interested in this organization? Why equity and PM&R?

  While the current landscape of physiatrists are comprised of amazing doctors with a very unique set of skills, I believe that by entering the field I can develop a connection with certain patients through cultural and racial relatability. I feel that this organization provides me an amazing opportunity to both pursue my passion of becoming a physiatrist as well as remain on the frontlines of promoting diversity and addressing health disparities.

• Can you tell us a little bit of your aspirations - either for your career or for the field of medicine (if you’re a medical student?)

  I ultimately want to become an excellent physiatrist with an ability to connect with patients from many different backgrounds. Alongside being a healthcare provider, I want to be on the frontlines of the force that is continuing to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities nationwide.

• Where can we find you on social media?

  Twitter

• Any other questions you would like to add or anything else that you would like to say?

  I have many interests outside of physiatry. I enjoy watching sports, playing sports, working out, listening to music, editing videos, traveling around the world, and exploring different cities and trying different foods.

  Although I would still be considered a "traditional" medical student, my 2 gap years were quite interesting. I am able to say that I have worked as a tech at an engineering company, an administrative assistant at a photography studio, in sales, in tech and customer service with AT&T, at a law firm, as a behavioral health technician, in warehouses, and as an Uber driver among other jobs. I feel that I have seen a little bit of everything.

Last updated 04/2022