Ridha Fatima, a biochemistry and molecular biology major in the Honors College, says her experiences as a service-minded leader at the University of South Carolina will inform her career as a physician and health care advocate.
“Growing up in Columbia, I am grateful for the community that has raised me, and I have always been passionate about giving back,” she says. “Being involved in service reminds me of the individuals that make up our community and their different needs.”
Fatima is the recipient of the Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award, given by Omicron Delta Kappa. She has worked at the leadership organization as service chair, organizing more than 50 events in the Columbia area.
“One of my most impactful experiences was with Share One Love, where students connect with kids from the Department of Juvenile Justice through sports,” Fatima says. “Once, one of the kids sat by the sidelines, unwilling to participate. I began to strike up a conversation with him. Eventually, he brought out a deck of cards, and as we played, we talked about everything from our favorite movies to future plans.”
She also served as the pre-med chair for Alpha Epsilon Delta and has worked with the Aspiring Pre-Health Student Mentoring Initiative, which encourages high school students to pursue careers in health fields.
“As a Columbia high school graduate, I remember my fear thinking about my future career goals,” she says. “Walking into my first visit, I saw the same concerns reflected in the high school students’ eyes. As I continued to share my experiences and answer questions, I saw their shoulders relax and some of the tension dissipate. This experience made me glad to cocreate a new campus initiative to provide mentorship to the next generation of students.”
“These experiences have instilled in me a passion I plan to carry throughout my life. As a physician, I look forward to advocating for patients and working with community members to advance care for all.”
Fatima has served in several positions with Garnet & Black magazine, including as managing editor.
“I realized my interest in journalism through the Garnet & Black magazine,” she says. “When I was approved to write on experiences of USC students who wear hijabs, I was ecstatic. I spent hours organizing my thoughts and interviewing students. When my article was published, I was proud to share my insights with a larger audience and find my own voice. This inspired me to uplift others, and I continued to write four articles and edit over 25 pieces centering on different communities, such as the Gullah Geechee, to give others a platform.”
Fatima has spent four years working in School of Medicine Columbia professor Holly LaVoie’s lab, researching women's reproductive and cardiovascular health, in particular postpartum cardiomyopathy. The research is her senior thesis.
“Through participating in this lab, I have realized that research requires dedication and perseverance,” she says. “From breaking glassware to spending too much time on a procedure when I first began, I often left the lab feeling embarrassed and defeated. However, my research mentor reminded me that conducting research is not a linear process, and after much practice I was soon able to excel and learn several techniques while also gaining the necessary skills to present my work.”
Fatima plans to carry her USC research, leadership and service experiences into her career.
“These experiences have instilled in me a passion I plan to carry throughout my life,” she says. “As a physician, I look forward to advocating for patients and working with community members to advance care for all.”