Family, Loss and Legacy: Farah Abaza’s Journey to Becoming a Physician
For Farah Abaza, medicine isn’t just a career — it’s a calling deeply rooted in family,
resilience and service. A fourth-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine
(MSM), Abaza grew up in Georgia as the middle of five children in a Jordanian family.
Following in the footsteps of her older siblings, both MSM alumni, she has continued
a legacy of medical excellence while forging her own path in the field of urology.
A Family Legacy and a Deep Commitment to Service
From an early age, Farah was drawn to medicine through her family’s experiences navigating healthcare as immigrants. “We saw firsthand what it meant to lack access to healthcare, not just in our own community but also within our own family,” she shared. Her passion for service aligned naturally with MSM’s mission of health equity, making it the perfect place to continue her journey.
However, it wasn’t just her family’s history that solidified her decision to attend MSM—it was the unwavering support she witnessed when her sister, an MSM alum, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even after graduation, her sister’s classmates, faculty and mentors stood by her, offering care and encouragement throughout her battle.
When Abaza later faced the heartbreaking loss of her sister, that same MSM community enveloped her with love, guidance and strength. “I knew Morehouse [School of Medicine] had a family environment, but living through that experience truly showed me what that meant,” she reflected.
Defining Moments in Medical School
Farah’s time at MSM has been filled with moments that reinforced her passion for medicine and advocacy. One of the most transformative experiences came during her third year while treating an incarcerated patient at Grady Hospital. The patient, suffering from headaches, lacked access to his prescription glasses, which were left behind at the penitentiary. When Farah attempted to advocate for their return, she was met with resistance from the correctional staff. Instead of giving up, she escalated the issue to her attending physicians and social workers, who fought to get the patient the care he deserved.
“That moment really solidified my understanding of medicine beyond diagnoses and prescriptions,”
she said. “It’s 
about advocating for your patients in every way possible — no matter their background
or circumstance.”
Her dedication to underserved communities extended beyond the hospital. As a leader in the student-led organization Prison Praxis, she worked to provide resources, education and outreach to incarcerated individuals. Through initiatives like prison visits, clothing drives and educational programs, she sought to break down barriers in healthcare access for one of the most vulnerable populations.
Looking Ahead
Abaza has already matched into a urology residency, an achievement that reflects years of hard work and perseverance. Recognizing the disparities in access to specialized care, she is committed to breaking down barriers to urologic services, particularly for underserved communities, incarcerated individuals and immigrant populations.
“Urologic concerns don’t disappear just because someone lacks access to care,” she said. “My goal is to make these services more accessible, particularly in communities that are often overlooked.”
Beyond the U.S., Abaza dreams of expanding her impact globally by bringing urologic care to the Middle East, particularly to Jordan and Palestine. She is also passionate about destigmatizing conversations around sexual health and infertility within Arab and Muslim communities, aiming to create safe spaces where these critical health concerns can be addressed with cultural sensitivity.
As Match Day approaches on Friday, March 21, 2025, we invite you to celebrate this milestone with us. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of our future physicians and join us for the Match Day livestream as we unveil where our students will continue their training.
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 future physicians to life, highlighting their impact and dedication to healthcare.
Contact
Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu