For Komi Gagnon “Elvis” Kassa, the path to Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) began halfway across the world in Togo, West Africa. Born with a congenital heart defect, Elvis underwent open-heart surgery at just two months old. That single, life-saving procedure didn’t just give him the gift of life; it gave him a purpose.
“Even before I fully understood what happened to me, I knew deep down that I was alive because someone in the medical field cared enough to save my life,” Kassa said.
Now 23, Elvis immigrated to the United States in March 2022 through the Diversity Visa Program.
With his green card secured, Elvis arrived in South Carolina ready to pursue the dreams he had nurtured since childhood.
Before arriving in the U.S., Elvis had already completed high school and earned his diploma in Togo. His initial plan was straightforward: attend a four-year college, major in a science-related field, then apply to medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. But, while working at McLeod Health as a patient transporter, he observed nurses and doctors in action and began to see healthcare from a new perspective.
“I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but watching nurses care for patients up close made me think differently,” Kassa shared. “They’re the heart of healthcare.”
Instead of heading straight into a pre-med program, Elvis decided to enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at FDTC. This choice allows him to gain hands-on experience while still working toward his long-term goal of becoming a physician.
With the support and encouragement he’s found on campus, he’s gained the confidence to set ambitious goals and map out the next steps in his journey.
“I’ll earn my BSN, complete my pre-med courses, take the MCAT, and apply to medical school. Nursing is helping me grow professionally and personally while staying close to the patients I want to serve,” he explained.