Growing up in Cameroon, Africa, Dr. Kuna T.F. Okong often witnessed townspeople go without necessary resources to survive, including transportation or finances to pay for medication. Desiring to help others who were in need, she decided to delve into the field of medicine, particularly Western medicine and hospital-based treatments. Drawing upon her innate empathetic nature and communication skills, Dr. Okong received a Doctor of Medicine from University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon in 2010.
Subsequently, Dr. Okong relocated to the United States, where she continued her medical training. Completing her residency in family medicine at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2020, she has served as a physician in family medicine at Regional Hospital in Arkansas since that time, where she provides medical treatment to patients in the surrounding area. She also holds a Master of Public Health. Outside of her work-related endeavors, Dr. Okong often volunteers at a free clinic in her spare time, and is a supporter of various charities to support women in Cameroon.
Dr. Okong attributes her success to what she has learned in her life experiences, which have kept her grounded and understanding of others’ feelings. She also credits her faith in God to her success in life. She believes that community health is of the utmost important, and notes that an individual’s culture and values often influence the disease process. Therefore, Dr. Okong emphasizes that when you change a patient’s disease, you can change that patient, which ultimately affects the community as a whole. To remain abreast of trends and developments in the field of medicine, she maintains affiliation with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. She is also a noted member of Phi Kappa Phi and the Alpha Omega Honor Society.
As a testament to her success, Dr. Okong has received several accolades. Recently in 2020, she earned the Director’s Award and was named Resident of the Year, both by the Morehouse School of Medicine. In 2019, the Morehouse School of Medicine also bestowed upon her the Outstanding Resident Teacher Award for Family Medicine, and from 2016 to 2017, the medical school gave her an Advisory Scholarship Award. Earlier in her career, she earned the Presidential Award for Female Students in Sciences from University of Yaoundé I between 2005 and 2007.