Dr. Okoli is an emergency medicine physician who graduated with an MD from the Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center, followed by a Medical Education Fellowship at the University of Michigan, earning a Master of Health Professions Education. Dr. Okoli has six years of admissions committee experience, evaluating hundreds of applications and interviewing candidates for the Tufts University School of Medicine, Advocate Christ Medical Center, and the University of Michigan’s Medical Education Fellowship program.
Before attending medical school, Dr. Okoli earned a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of New Mexico as a Gates Millennium Scholar. She served as a resident advisor for the Department of Housing and Student Services and worked as a teaching assistant for the University of New Mexico Chemistry Department. After graduation, she worked as a high school science teacher for two years through Teach for America before attending medical school.
In her current role as an Assistant Clinical Professor and Assistant Clerkship Director at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Okoli leads initiatives focused on leadership development, feedback practices, and competency-based medical education. She mentors students pursuing emergency medicine, facilitates innovative clerkship experiences, and supports learners through the transition to residency.
Throughout her training and career, she has been recognized for excellence in teaching and scholarship. Her honors include the Excellence in Teaching EM Clerkship Award from the University of Michigan, the Ruth Easterling Award from Tufts University School of Medicine, and multiple national recognitions such as the EMRA/ACEP Emergency Department Directors Academy Scholarship and the National Medical Fellows Scholar distinction. She has also authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and contributed extensively to medical education research and curriculum development.
As an admissions coach, Dr. Okoli’s strengths include guiding students through professional identity formation, helping them articulate their goals, and providing structured, growth-oriented feedback rooted in compassion. As an educator, she leverages her MHPE to develop evidence-based, learner-centered programs that empower students and colleagues to achieve their full potential. Her clinical roles inform her teaching, giving her a grounded, real-world perspective that resonates in the classroom and on the wards.
Dr. Okoli is deeply passionate about learner-centered education and has taught at every level—from high school science instruction and undergraduate medical education to resident training. She is consistently praised for being a thoughtful listener, a trusted advisor, and a champion for student growth. Whether she’s caring for patients, leading educational innovation, or connecting with future healthcare leaders, Dr. Okoli brings heart, expertise, and unwavering dedication to all she does.
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