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As Match Day approaches on March 20, Naomi Coles reflects not only on four years of medical school, but on a six-year journey that began in the Master of Science in Medical Sciences program at Morehouse School of Medicine. 

Originally from Prince George’s County, Maryland, Coles came to Atlanta with intention. After taking time between undergraduate studies and medical school, she chose Morehouse School of Medicine because of its explicit commitment to community health and health equity — values embedded directly into the curriculum. 

“Morehouse was the only program I found that had public and community health integrated into the coursework,” she says. “That mattered to me.” 

She excelled in the master’s program, later matriculating into the MD program where she continued to grow not only as a student, but as a leader. Over the past four years, Coles has served as Class President and now as MD Council President, advocating for her peers while helping shape the student experience for those who will follow. 

“I don’t look at leadership as a position,” she explains. “I look at it as an opportunity to serve.” 

That mindset has guided her involvement across campus and beyond. A longtime executive student leader within the Health Equity for All Lives (H.E.A.L.) Clinic, Coles has participated in and helped coordinate community-facing events across metro Atlanta and rural Georgia. Through point-of-care outreach, patient education and resource connection for uninsured individuals, she saw firsthand the intersection of medicine, advocacy and leadership. 

“Being in the community showed me that I don’t just want to practice medicine inside clinic walls,” she says. “I want to invest in communities, understand their needs and help create solutions.” 

Her advocacy within student government mirrors that same philosophy. Listening to classmates, identifying challenges and bringing forward solution-oriented conversations with administration prepared her for a broader vision of physician leadership — one that extends into health policy, systems change and community advocacy. 

“That’s what physicians do in the community,” she says. “We listen, we understand needs and we advocate for change.” 

Coles plans to match into internal medicine, with long-term aspirations in cardiology, specifically focusing on women’s cardiovascular health. Her passion is deeply personal. 

She recalls watching her grandmother suffer a heart attack at age 50 — an event that would mark the beginning of a family pattern of cardiovascular disease. 

“Seeing someone so close to you go through that changes you,” she says. “It made me curious about the heart and about disease. But it also made me aware of how disproportionately chronic illness affects Black and brown communities.” 

That awareness eventually led her to a preventive cardiology elective, where clinical science and personal calling converged. 

“It was a full-circle moment,” she says. “Everything connected. My family’s experience, prevention, education, imaging, patient counseling.... I knew that’s where I wanted to be.” 

As Match Day draws near, Coles describes her emotions with feelings of gratitude and accomplishment. Her path was not traditional — three years between undergraduate studies and the start of her master’s program, followed by two years of graduate training before medical school. But she views each step as formative. 

“I wasn’t always confident,” she admits. “I had to grow into who I am.” 

That growth, she says, required embracing discomfort. 

“Be okay with being uncomfortable,” she advises future students. “Your growth is in that space. If you want to be excellent, you have to be adaptable and open to change.” 

For Coles, Match Day represents more than the announcement of a residency placement. Personally, it reflects her faith and the belief that grace has sustained her through moments when effort alone did not feel sufficient. 

“You have to do the work,” she says. “But there were days when I felt like I gave everything I had — and grace carried me the rest of the way.” 

Professionally, the day marks the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. New opportunities to grow, to lead and to serve. 

And she is quick to emphasize that the milestone is not hers alone. 

“You need a village,” she says. “This is a win for everyone who supported me along the way.” 

On March 20, Naomi Coles will open an envelope like her classmates. But the moment will represent more than a match — it will symbolize years of preparation, leadership, faith and a commitment to advancing cardiovascular care in communities that need it most. 

As she looks ahead, one thing is certain: wherever she matches, she intends to lead with purpose. 

 

 

About the Author

Michael Martin is a content strategist who believes in crafting compelling stories that inspire and connect. With a pen for storytelling, he brings the journeys of students, faculty and staff to life, highlighting their impact and dedication to healthcare.

Contact

Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu