Student Spotlight: Anthony Onuzuruike

As Anthony Onuzuruike (’23) rounds out his final year at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, he reflects on his experience and is grateful that CCLCM has given him the opportunity to explore his career in medicine alongside his interest in humanities.

“Being able to have that medical humanities-based curriculum while in medical school is something I’m really appreciative of. It’s somewhat of a hidden curriculum within medical education—emphasizing not just learning about a disease, but also considering how it applies to a person,” says Anthony.

When considering the clinical specialty he wanted to pursue, Anthony looked for one in which he could make an impact fighting health disparities. Emergency medicine stood out as an area where he will have the opportunity to look at health policies and take action when health disparities become apparent. Emergency medicine also appealed to him because of its role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We saw firsthand that emergency medicine providers were the best equipped to speak about the pandemic and how to best work towards combatting it. I think it’s one of the specialties that would allow me to make a significant impact on health policies and really help patients in the future,” says Anthony.

Prior to attending CCLCM, Anthony graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in chemistry and biology. When it came to choosing a medical school, he was drawn to CCLCM because of its reliance on problem-based learning, which was a large component of his undergraduate curriculum. The curriculum’s emphasis on working together to find solutions caught his attention because that approach is how hospitals operate on a regular basis.

Anthony remembers a distinct moment during his time at CCLCM when he asked himself why he wanted to become a physician. He has found that through medicine you can glean a perspective on health and quality of life and then use that perspective to care for patients, educate people and maybe even have an influence on health policy.

“Somewhere along the line I’m hoping to get involved with health policy and in some way be a community health advocate. I want to regularly visit communities and give people resources and advice, and educate them on healthcare topics that may affect them. I want to find a way to make a good impact,” says Anthony.

When asked for advice he would give to an aspiring CCLCM student, Anthony stressed the importance of knowing your own personal learning style and what motivates you.

“You can completely master your learning style, but if you’re not motivated to do it, then it’s kind of pointless, right? There’s no deadline or exam that can tell you by when you need to learn certain topics, so you need to determine what will motivate you to learn those things,” Anthony emphasizes.

Outside of his school work Anthony loves being present in the moment and enjoying what life brings him. Whether it’s having a potluck with his friends, painting, enjoying the seasons or playing basketball, Anthony wants to appreciate his life and the people around him.

“To me, what matters the most is being able to enjoy the moments that make life meaningful and memorable.”