 The
benevolent warrior: George Ilodi, D.O.
George Ilodi, new doctor of osteopathic medicine,
combines fiery passion with good-natured service
By Mary Reed
The same characteristics that earned George Ilodi,
D.O. ('08), the “Best Overall Classmate Award” among
his peers in the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic
Medicine will ensure his success as a physician:
sincerity, compassion and an ability to connect with
just about anyone.
“I can’t think of a better word (for George) than
genuine,” says fellow OU-HCOM classmate Amy Miyoshi,
D.O. ('08). “He makes a
patient feel comfortable right away.”
Social rapport comes naturally for Ilodi. The son of
Nigerian immigrants—his father is a physician and his
mother a nurse—Ilodi grew up in Cleveland with his two
brothers, his sister, and cousins and friends always
coming and going. This might explain his talent for
getting along. “Our house was always full with at least
six kids.”
When the family moved to the suburbs his junior year in
high school, Ilodi quickly made friends, in part because
his athletic talent contributed to Solon High School’s
1999 first-place finish at the state high school track
meet. He also qualified for state finals in wrestling.
“As an athlete, you’ve got the mentality that you go all
the way. A warrior,” he says. Ilodi’s right arm has a
tattoo of a tribal symbol that means warrior. On his
left arm is a tattoo that reads, “I am my brother’s
keeper and together we shall rise.”
“I’m just a competitive person,” Ilodi says, explaining
his warrior side, which, paradoxically, complements his
compassionate side. “I’m not a cutthroat … If I’m going
up, I reach down and help others.”
True to that spirit, Ilodi took advantage of programs OU-HCOM
offers to prepare its multicultural students for the
rigors of medical school. Each time, he returned to
serve as a peer mentor and tutor for the same programs.
Perhaps above all, Ilodi is an observer. Upon meeting a
patient, he can gauge how to best approach them. “I
watch how they interact with the nurses, and I come in
and talk to them, and I know from then on if I can joke
with them or be serious.”
Although Ilodi would rather observe others than talk
about himself, he is aware of his talent for bedside
manner. “My patients, they love me,” he says. “The ones
that aren’t bashful will say, ‘I want you to be my
doctor.’ I say, I won’t be a doctor for another few
months.”
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Hometown:
Born in Cleveland, Ohio
Attended high school in Solon, Ohio
On his mentors:
Brockford Herring, D.O.,
orthopedic surgeon, St. Joseph
Health Center
“He went to OU-HCOM. He just guided
me (through my rotation at St.
Joseph). He was closer in age to me,
so it was like what I was going
through, he was giving me advice –
‘Stick through it, don’t give up.’
He’s also in my fraternity (Alpha
Phi Alpha).”
Al Humble, M.D., CORE
clinical professor, Affinity Medical
Center, Massillon.
“He took me under his wing and
guided me through third and fourth
year, basically. How to get through
your rotations, what to look for,
what preceptors look for. And not
just rotations, but life, in terms
of investing, finances and how to balance your family life and work
life.”
Calvin James, Ph.D.,
associate professor, biomedical
sciences
“He gave me guidance when scheduling
my classes and what I should be
taking at various points in time in
my undergrad career that would
benefit me into getting into medical
school.”
On hometown pride:
“I am a huge Cleveland Browns fan
for life, through thick and thin.
Even if I move to the North
Pole—Browns fan still. Really, I’m a
Cleveland sports fan but Cleveland
football is my favorite.”
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