Elile Okoka is the best graduating MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) student from Lagos State University. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physiology from the University of Lagos. She speaks with Edugist on her unique academic experiences and strengths as a medical professional. Excerpts
Please share with Edugist a little about yourself and your background.
My name is Elile Monisola Okoka. I earned my MBBS degree from the prestigious Lagos State college of medicine, where I not only completed the programme with distinction (Honors) but also had the honor of being recognised as the best graduating student achieving a record number of distinctions. I also hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Lagos. Currently I’m completing my internship at one of the hospitals in Lagos.
Can you tell us about your academic journey from studying physiology to excelling in Medicine and Surgery? What motivated this transition?
Initially, I put in to study medicine but narrowly missed the admission cut-off by a few marks. Instead, I was offered the opportunity to study physiology, and I decided to go for it. Upon completing my studies, I found myself at a crossroads, contemplating my next steps. Not wanting to live with the regret of not pursuing my initial passion for medicine, I decided to give it another try.
This time, fortunately, my efforts were rewarded with success. In simple terms, the driving force behind my transition from physiology to medicine was a commitment to avoiding a life of regrets and pursuing the career path that had always resonated with me.
What experiences or insights from your physiology background do you believe have had the most significant impact on your medical training?
Honestly, the entirety of the course. Studying physiology was genuinely enjoyable for me; understanding how the body systems work was fascinating. I loved it. It served as a solid foundation, and having a robust knowledge of physiology is invaluable in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Despite the challenges of medical school, my background in physiology boosted my confidence. I’m content with how everything played out, and I have no regrets.
Graduating at the top of your class is an impressive achievement. What study habits or strategies did you employ to maintain such a high level of academic performance?
I get this question a lot, and before I answer let me state that what works for me might not work for the next person.
Hmm, habits and strategies; firstly I set goals for every class/professional exam. I make sure to attend almost all my classes and clinical activities. I just don’t attend, I actively participate. I read a lot, I try to complete the entire syllabus. I make use of audiovisual materials, I ask questions when I need clarifications, I engage in group discussions sometimes, I answer past questions and finally and the most important I pray. I talk to God constantly concerning my academics.
How do you think your unique academic background in physiology sets you apart from other medical professionals?
My background in physiology sets me apart in the medical field by providing a detailed understanding of the body’s systems. This experience offers me a comprehensive insight into physiological mechanisms, enabling me to approach medical cases with a depth that goes beyond symptom-level understanding. By knowing how the body systems are supposed to function, I’m able to immediately detect when something is off. It equips me with analytical skills and a systematic approach, enhancing my problem-solving abilities for complex medical scenarios.
Also my background in physiology bridges the gap between basic science and clinical application. My in-depth understanding of physiology not only helps my diagnostic capabilities but also facilitates effective communication with patients.
Can you share a specific clinical case or experience from your medical training that had a profound impact on your approach to patient care?
During my medical training, there was a young female patient with multiple symptoms that seemed unrelated. It was during my first medicine posting, I was green. I kept trying to tie it all up together. Eventually through detailed history, examination and investigation under the guidance of our consultant, we were able to diagnose the patient of an autoimmune disease.
This experience highlighted the importance of thorough history, investigation, and considering all possibilities in patient care. It reinforced my commitment to taking a holistic approach, treating each patient as an individual with unique needs and ensuring comprehensive care that goes beyond addressing immediate symptoms.
In what ways has your dual background in physiology and medicine influenced your research interests or clinical specialties?
My dual background in physiology and medicine has profoundly shaped my research interests and clinical specialties, steering me towards areas that bridge the gap between basic medical science and clinical applications, with specific emphasis on translational research. This intersection allows me to harness the foundational knowledge acquired in physiology to directly inform and enhance clinical practices, facilitating a seamless transition from laboratory discoveries to practical patient care.
My aim is to bridge the gap between bench and bedside, translating insights from basic science into tangible advancements in clinical science.
This dual perspective not only shapes my research agenda but also influences my choice of clinical specialties, leaning me toward fields where this translational approach can have a meaningful impact on diagnostic methods, treatment strategies, and overall advancements in healthcare delivery.
Can you describe any challenges you faced during your medical studies, and how you overcame them?
The major challenge I had was the workload. The medical school curriculum is a lot and I had some problems balancing the workload with other aspects of my life. To overcome this, I tried to manage my time effectively, plan how my day should go. This allowed me to develop a healthy work-life balance.
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was recently awarded “for discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.” What are your thoughts?
The recent awarding of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, acknowledges discoveries in nucleoside base modifications crucial to the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. It marks a profoundly significant moment in the scientific community. This well-deserved recognition not only honors the remarkable work of the researchers but also acknowledges their pivotal role in mitigating the impact of the virus on public health. Considering the immense pressure and urgency surrounding the need for a solution to the pandemic, these researchers are my heroes. The Nobel Prize underscores the vital role of scientific innovation in addressing global health crises and emphasizes the need for sustained support for research pursuits that provides solutions to global health challenges.
How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in the field of medicine and physiology?
I subscribe to journals, attend conferences either physically or virtually, I take online courses. Also on social media, I follow accounts that put out useful information on healthcare and advancements.
What do you consider your greatest strengths as a medical professional?
My greatest strengths as a medical professional include being able to communicate with patients making them feel seen and heard. I pride myself in being able to communicate with people from different works of life. Some other strengths include empathy, analytical thinking, attention to detail and team work.
Are there any specific areas of medicine or research that you are particularly passionate about or interested in pursuing in the future?
Right now, I haven’t narrowed it down; I like quite a number of specialties – Internal medicine, pediatrics, O/G, oncology, cardiac. My intern year is definitely helping to put things more in perspective. In terms of research, as I mentioned earlier, I’m interested primarily in translational research, bridging the gap between the bench and bedside. So yeah, I’m definitely leaning towards a specialty that allows me to integrate my diverse interests and passion for translational research, ultimately bridging the gap between the bench and bedside in a way that positively impacts patient care and contributes to advancing medical knowledge.
As someone with a strong educational background, do you mentor and support aspiring medical professionals or students?
Yes, I do. I mentor and support a lot of students. I’ve had students from various backgrounds and schools come up to me seeking my opinion and advice and I do my best to help. It feels good, being able to help people. I’m always open to mentoring people.
In your opinion, what are some of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing the medical field today, and how do you envision contributing to solutions?
For me, some of the most pressing healthcare challenges today are the disparities in healthcare accessibility and the rising burden of chronic diseases, particularly cancers. I intend to participate in innovative research focused on providing solutions to the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. I also intend to advocate for improved health care access hereby contributing to the alleviation of healthcare disparities.
What next after your third degree?
My immediate goal is to complete my internship, my long term goal is to contribute my quota to advancements in healthcare while living a fulfilling happy life. The in-between will fall into place eventually guided by the experiences that present themselves along the way.
