FROM AFRICA TO ANDERSON
PROFILE
Inspired by her father , St . Vincent physician now inspires others
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CALEB AMICK
Being Black has not been an obstacle in the career of Dr . Njideka Momah , a gastroenterologist from Ascension St . Vincent in Anderson . Growing up in Nigeria , she experienced no discrimination .
“ Since I didn ’ t grow up here , I don ’ t think that blackness is somehow inhibiting to me ,” she says . “ I grew up in a place where it was all Black people . I went to medical school with all Black people . My mentors and the people I looked up to were all Black .”
Her first role model was a man she called Father or “ Nna ,” in Igbo , her native language . He was a doctor and inspired her to become one as well . Growing up , she saw patients leave his office well and happy , instead of sick and sad as before .
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SINCE
Momah began her career at the University of Nigeria Nsukka , where she studied medicine .
Med school in the United States can be quite expensive , leaving graduates with exorbitant debt . However , college was free in Nigeria , provided that graduates served in the National Youth Service Corps for a year .
The organization was founded after the Nigerian civil war ended in 1970 , with the purpose of bringing youths together in service of their country , according to an article from the Council on Foreign Relations .
She served at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research , doing the work of a family doctor in an underserved community . While there , she helped
I DIDN ’ T GROW UP HERE , I DON ’ T THINK THAT BLACKNESS IS SOMEHOW INHIBITING TO ME . I GREW UP IN A PLACE WHERE IT WAS ALL BLACK PEOPLE . I WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL WITH ALL BLACK PEOPLE . MY MENTORS AND THE PEOPLE I LOOKED UP TO WERE ALL BLACK .
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12 2023 Diversity Magazine