Meet Makeda Lovelace, PharmD '25, a Grammy-nominated gospel singer, motorcyclist, Air Force EMT and now, a 2025 graduate of PCOM Georgia’s School of Pharmacy. Her journey is one of adventure and perseverance, especially in overcoming setbacks.
When asked about her greatest inspiration, she credits her grandmother, Dorothy B. Evans—an extraordinary woman who witnessed history firsthand.
“Born and raised in Atlanta, Grandma attended school with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Lovelace shared. “She and her siblings would walk to school alongside him, witnessing some of the best and worst times in our nation’s history. She will tell anyone who will listen how proud she is of me—her ‘baby,’ becoming a doctor at 50 years old. I believe I inherited her resilience and unwavering spirit.”
Lovelace’s academic journey began at Georgia Perimeter College but was tested by personal family commitments. Undeterred, she completed prerequisites at Mercer University through their Working Adults Program for Pharmacy Technicians, and despite initial setbacks in her pharmacy school applications, she was accepted into two programs, ultimately choosing PCOM Georgia to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
Her goal to be the first doctor in her family is coming true.
As she prepares for licensing exams—the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)—her next chapter unfolds at CVS in the community pharmacy setting.
During her time at PCOM Georgia, she actively contributed to the Georgia Pharmacy Association (GPhA), serving as a liaison, junior member, and then senior member.
“One of the things I am most proud of is that the PharmD Class of 2025 will be the first to wear the new GPhA graduation cord. I worked with the Past President at UGA to research pre-existing cords so that we would have a design that is unique. Now all schools of pharmacy in Georgia will award this cord to graduates this year, something that was never offered before. I am very happy to have my classmates wearing this new cord with me.”
A talented singer, Lovelace sang with the New Birth Total Praise Choir, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2004. She loves singing so much that she keeps her microphone with her at all times—singing even while riding her motorcycle.
Her message to her peers? “Practice self-compassion and seek support when needed. You’ve worked hard to get here, so give yourself some grace for the days that you will struggle. I promise, the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train!”
Her faith and fearless pursuit of her dreams are a reminder that with heart and hustle, anything is possible.
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
Joy Deibert
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: joyde@pcom.edu
Office: 470-572-7558
© 2025 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
