October 26, 2023

Patrick Ihejirika’s dream of becoming a medical provider began in the small Nigerian village where he grew up and his family still lives. “I saw a lot of health challenges that people had to go through,” he said.

The nearest clinic meant a two-hour drive on treacherous roads, forcing many women to deliver their babies at home. People were often turned away from hospitals because they were poor, which happened to him as a little boy.

“I was bleeding and my mom had to rush me to the hospital in the city. They denied me care because she couldn’t afford to pay what I believe, at the time, was equal to five or ten bucks,” Ihejirika said. Someone eventually lent his mother the money for treatment.

“Unfortunately, these are still everyday occurrences, especially in the community I come from,” he said.

Today, Ihejirika is a graduate student in Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Master of Health Science – Physician Assistant (PA) program and hopes to one day use his medical training to help people in Nigeria.

Ihejirika first came to the U.S. in 2010. He’d been working with the American ambassador in Abuja, a capital city in Nigeria, and got the opportunity to take the SAT exam. That led to an acceptance and scholarship from Lincoln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a degree in biology and a minor in accounting.

While at Lincoln, representatives from Drexel’s PA program spoke to his class. Though Ihejirika had originally planned to apply to medical school, he was convinced by the end of the presentation that a career as a PA was a better fit.

“You get to practice medicine. Yes, you’re under the supervision of a physician, but you’re not sacrificing your passion for providing care,” he said. Earning a degree in fewer years and with less debt was also appealing.

“I did my research and realized it doesn’t get better than Drexel. It’s one of the leading founders of PA programs in the U.S.,” Ihejirika said.

In order to pursue this path, Ihejirika first needed to stabilize his family’s finances. “I knew I wanted to go into the health care profession, but my siblings and mom (in Nigeria) depended on me for every expense,” he said.

After undergraduate school, Ihejirika took some time to earn money and establish residency in Delaware, before finally joining the class of 2023 in Drexel’s graduate Physician Assistant program.

Ihejirika’s commitment to his education would be tested by bumps in the road, including financial struggles that adversely affected his grades and mental health. With support from his advisor, professors and cohort, Ihejirika took a leave of absence to get back on track.

For nine months, he drove 11 hours a day for Uber, listening to PA lesson podcasts between customers to stay connected to the material. Ihejirika cleared his debt, improved his credit and secured much-needed financial aid—right on schedule for his return to Drexel as part of the class of 2024.

Ihejirika, now thriving as a student, didn’t mind repeating clinical material he’d previously learned. He joked that it “massaged the material into my brain.” Along with his cohort, he recently marked the end of the didactic half of the program at a White Coat ceremony. Next up: a total of eight clinical rotations, including behavioral medicine, internal medicine and surgery.

Of his cohort, Ihejirika said, “There’s a camaraderie and sense of family amongst everyone. That’s the beautiful thing about the PA program—everyone pulling together. The previous class left us notes and resources to make sure we are successful, and when we leave, we’ll do the same for the class of 2025.”

When he graduates, Ihejirika plans to work as a PA in the U.S. and gain valuable experience. As for his long-range goals, he’d like to eventually bring clinical care to his Nigerian village.

“If I can one day treat somebody and say, ‘Go home, I’m not going to charge you,’ I’ll be the happiest,” he said.

Written by: Abby Schwartz