“I hope patients describe me as easy to talk to, a physician who listens to them and is deeply concerned about their wellbeing."
Dr. Adaora Okoli, infectious disease specialist, provides inpatient care for patients with pneumonia, influenza, severe or complicated infections, immune system complications or HIV.
Growing up, Dr. Okoli had family relatives who had chronic diseases that were difficult to manage due to health inequity. “Medicine was an easy career decision because I wanted to touch the lives of people," she said.
Dr. Okoli believes the most important elements in providing patient care are empathy for the patients and their families.
“The parts of my practice I enjoy the most is the time spent with my patients," she said. “I strive to take my patients' needs into account while practicing evidence-based medicine."
Health care is a collaborative effort that Dr. Okoli embraces. “I also enjoy working with other members of the care team such as nurses, medical assistants, pharmacist, case managers, social workers, hospitalist and other specialists."
Dr. Okoli earned her medical degree from the University of Ghana – School of Medicine in Accra, Ghana, Africa. She completed an infectious disease fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and an internal medicine residency at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana.
While not at work, some of Dr. Okoli's interests include hiking, swimming and skating.