Since she was a young girl, Precious Okoruwa knew that she was destined to become a doctor. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she was involved in her high school’s medical club. It was also in Tulsa that she spent a year working for an innovation company learning about leadership and working in large groups, which she believes helped her transition into medical school.
When she started at the Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the main areas she wanted to get involved in was maternal health research for Black women. This passion became the driving force behind her entire medical journey. As she navigated the challenges of medical school, she often reminded herself, "I'm here for a bigger purpose, for a bigger reason. I am needed in medicine."
So, when she matched into the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency — her lifelong dream — it felt like both a personal victory and a step toward a mission much bigger than herself.
Being able to form impactful relationships with her patients is something Okoruwa is very passionate about. After shadowing an African American, female OB-GYN physician while in college, she was able to see firsthand what it meant to have patients not only trust you but also feel comfortable around a medical professional.
“I don’t want to just be a doctor, I want to be someone who my patients can trust,” Okoruwa said.
During this opportunity, she was also able to further explore the intersection between medicine and surgery while further understanding the importance of longitudinal care through taking care of women throughout their entire lives.
“I came in knowing what I wanted to do and have stuck with it to the very end,” she said.
Black women in the U.S. are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as all other races. For Okoruwa, these statistics aren’t just numbers — they’re lived realities that fuel her passion for maternal health.
“I think it's really important for the safety of Black women and minoritized populations to get the best access to care that they can get, and that is a role I hope to play in,” she said.
Now, Okoruwa is officially a medical doctor. She graduated from IU School of Medicine on May 16 and was chosen as one of the commencement speakers for the 2025 Graduate Recognition Ceremony. Being the MD student speaker, however, was not a designation that she originally envisioned.
“It’s crazy because I did not see myself in that role, but I can see myself helping transition the class into their next phase,” she said, as the Class of 2025 will now start their residency training.
In determining the theme for her graduation remarks, Okoruwa knew her topic was going to be “identity”, considering ““where we have been in the past, the stories that have impacted us and carrying that with us into the next phase — making sure we don’t lose sight of what made us who we are today.”
At the same time, it’s important to think about “who we want to be in this next step of our careers,” she said. During the past year, Okoruwa explained, she and her peers have been applying to residency programs in a discovery process of who they will be in the future. As part of her journey, Okoruwa asked herself, “Who am I, how did I get here, and who do I want to be in the future for my patients, colleagues and people in my community?”
She said it is important for students to establish their identity now so they do not lose sight of who they are in the next phase of life.Leaving a legacy behind and being an example for others to follow is a responsibility she does not take lightly. Okoruwa said she hopes her legacy is “one of inclusivity and advocating for people of all backgrounds, races, religions — making sure everyone has a voice.”
When she meets with her patients, she wants each and every one of them to leave thinking, “I feel better because Precious loved me so well.”
Okoruwa said she is “passionate about serving underserved communities and addressing health disparities.” After graduation, she plans to continue that work in her role as a resident and possibly do a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery after her OB-GYN residency. Ultimately, she aims to find a way to use her passion for medical innovation in her career and inspire the next generation of physicians.
When asked if she had anything that she wanted to share with the Class of 2025, she said, “Treasure these last few moments and hold onto the relationships you have formed because you will need them in the future.”
“Really put the time in to form those relationships, work on your personal growth, make sure your personal wellness is strong, and prepare yourself for the next few years,” she added. “It might be stressful and hard, but we know that we can do it — we are here for a reason.”
