GW Engineering Student Plans to Tackle Healthcare Inequities in Underserved Communities

November 19, 2024

Authored by:

Brook Endale

For Alice Carmen Tchangoum, a senior studying biomedical engineering at the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science, medical injustice is a cause close to her heart.

She's long felt that becoming a doctor is her calling and has worked hard to get closer to that goal. She moved from Cameroon to the United States when she was 18 to pursue a degree in the medical field.

She chose to study at GW because she believed it was the ideal place to equip her with the knowledge and skills needed to create the change she envisions. She heard about the strength of GW's science and research programs and wanted the unique opportunity to study in the nation's capital.

"I know it's a very good institution, and I was aiming for the best," Tchangoum said.

At GW, Tchangoum is the recipient of the Alisann and Terry Collins Endowed Scholarship and the Levy Family Opportunity Trust Scholarship.

The moment she found out she received these scholarships, Tchangoum was overcome with gratitude.

"I promise you, I was even struggling to find the right words to just express how deeply and sincerely grateful I am for the opportunity," Tchangoum said. "It's much more than just some people deciding to hand me money. To me, it's people giving me the chance, just giving me the chance to make a difference. Giving me the resources to get knowledge. Because I truly believe that I'm capable, but if someone is capable without having the means to achieve, then they can't do anything."

Tchangoum said it is a special feeling knowing people believed in her goals and dreams enough to invest in her.

Growing up, she witnessed people close to her pass away from medical conditions that could have been easily treated if only they had access to better healthcare. Those heartbreaking events strengthened Tchangoum's resolve to enter the medical field and make a difference in the lives of individuals who live in communities with limited resources.

"That is what is motivating me to pursue this degree and use the chance this scholarship is giving me to try and at least make an impact back home," Tchangoum said. "If there's one thing I want to dedicate my life to, it is to get the knowledge and experience I need so I can go back home and try to improve some of those healthcare deficits that we have."

She said what she's found at GW over the past three years is a supportive community of professors and staff who not only believe in her goals but also take the time to discuss them and provide the resources and guidance she needs to succeed.

Tchangoum pointed to professors like Jason M. Zara, GW Engineering's associate dean for undergraduate studies and a professor of biomedical engineering.

"He's always been like a backboard for me because he does a great job at understanding the uniqueness of everyone's situation and how everybody's experience is different," Tchangoum said.

Tchangoum also credits her experiences outside the classroom for shaping her journey. She works as a part-time medical scribe at Georgetown University Hospital and Hospital Center, an experience that has been pivotal in her preparation for medical school.

Additionally, she serves as an event coordinator for the African Student Association and is the program chair for the National Society of Black Engineers. Tchangoum was also the 2025 Class Representative for the Biomedical Engineering Society.

While she's had a lot of challenges and obstacles to overcome as she follows her calling to become a doctor, Tchangoum draws unwavering strength from her support system and the deep belief they have in her dreams.

"The support my family and my friends back home give me is so strong that it just fills me with so much positive energy," Tchangoum said. "I just know as long as I have this support system, I will not fail, and I will not allow myself to fail because I have to live up to the trust they put into me."