Growing up in Nigeria, Olushola Ilogho, M.P.A , PA-C (M.P.A. ’17), witnessed the struggles of those unable to access healthcare.
“I would go for a checkup or go for routine vaccinations and some people who could have been treated would be outside of the clinics because they couldn’t afford care,” Ilogho recalled.
Those early experiences fueled her passion for medicine. A graduate of the Physician Assistant master’s program, Ilogho has dedicated herself to improving lives and advancing healthcare for all people.
After moving to Michigan to join her mother, Ilogho studied as an undergraduate at Wayne State University, where she founded the Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Society. The organization helps pre-PA students with mentorship, volunteer opportunities and resources to strengthen their applications to PA programs.
“At the time, there were few resources for pre-PA students,” Ilogho said. “The PA profession offers an outstanding career path, and I am glad that the organization continues to serve students over a decade later.”
While exploring career options, she worked at an internal medicine clinic. She observed that the two physician assistants who worked there had a lot of autonomy. And the work-life balance that physician assistants are able to maintain as providers appealed to her.
Ilogho was drawn to the EVMS School of Health Professions and its commitment to serving the community. For example, she volunteered extensively and served as her class PA liaison for HOPES Free Clinic, earning a Student Government Association leadership award. She also helped educate students at nearby Maury High School in Norfolk about the PA profession.
Ilogho says faculty in the PA program prepared her and her classmates to succeed by teaching them to think critically as providers and offering them crucial support. “They care about your success and want you to excel as a person as well as a PA,” she said.
Since graduating in 2017, Ilogho has continued her dedication to mentorship and outreach. As a hospitalist PA for Sentara Health, she oversees health professions students during their rotations and serves as a community faculty/guest lecturer for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University.
As president of the Virginia Association of Minority PAs (VAMPA), she is amplifying her impact by broadening pathways into the PA profession. Founded in 2023, VAMPA provides mentorship, education and outreach to pre-PAs and practicing professionals. Ilogho also heads the organization’s education committee. Under her leadership, VAMPA has hosted webinars and inspired future PAs through high school outreach programs, introducing the profession to many students who weren’t aware of it.
Representation matters, Ilogho emphasizes, because providers should reflect the communities they serve.
“Research has shown the positive correlation between having a diverse group of providers for patients and better outcomes,” she noted.
In addition to her VAMPA work, Ilogho was recognized by the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants as PA of the Year in 2022 and serves on the EVMS Legacy Alumni Advisory Board. Her humanitarian spirit drives her to pursue projects that address issues of health and fairness, from participating in a walk to raise funds for sickle cell research to volunteering with organizations for book drives.
“My ‘why’ in life and everything I do is really to care for people,” Ilogho said. “And when I see a need, I try to change it for the better. I want to make an impact, a positive impact, in this generation that I’m in as well as the next generation that comes after me.”
Originally published in Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Magazine Issue 1.1.