Heroes in white coats: A Coe family's vocation for the medical field
Sophia John ’24 set foot on campus for the first time eagerly facing a future where she graduates from Coe and puts on a white lab coat. John’s medical career aspirations are inspired by her mother, Shivanthi Ponniah ’96, a nurse practitioner who taught John medicine isn’t a profession. It’s a way of life.
“My mother is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She always says she loves to help people. I watched her get ready for work and put on a lab coat. It makes her so happy to make an impact in people's lives. That’s what I want. At the end of the day, I want to do something that is beneficial to people. My mom definitely taught me how fulfilling it is to be in the medical field, and it pushed me toward medicine,” John says.
Campus is a long ways away from John’s hometown of Atlanta, but she is no stranger to Kohawk nation. She grew up hearing stories of the great memories her parents have of Coe. Her father, Shayne John ’93, encouraged her to apply. A meeting with the admission team helped John realize she made the right decision choosing Coe. She was impressed at how comfortable the team made her feel and their genuine interest in getting to know her. John was pleasantly surprised to receive a Diversity Leadership Scholarship offer. As an undecided pre-med or pre-dental student, she decided Coe would be the perfect fit to explore her passions.
In her short time at Coe so far, she’s already taken a deep dive into campus life. The biochemistry major is a part of Women in STEM with an interest in joining Pre-Health Club and Coe Review. John hopes to minor in creative writing or literature. But for now, she’s focused on juggling a heavy class load she is thoroughly enjoying.
“It’s great to have devoted professors who are dedicated to making you feel comfortable in class. You can tell it isn’t just a job for them. They enjoy teaching and love their class material. I’ve met other girls in Women in STEM who are interested in the same field and hearing what they are doing is very motivational for me and inspiring. People here seem really close like a family. I appreciate what Coe has done for me. I’m grateful to be here and for the people who have helped me make it possible to be here,” John says.
John aspires to join Doctors without Borders after medical school.
Photo Credit: Josie Finch ‘22