02/14/2023
Royston Elementary is spotlighting influential Black Americans in the Franklin County community each day of February in honor of Black History Month. Today, we would like to highlight Dr. Olivia Watkins:
Dr. Olivia Watkins is from Carnesville, GA. As a child, she was very curious, asked lots of questions and loved to read. She had parents who were very involved in her life and education. Her father purchased her first microscope at the start of her 5th grade year and it was through discovering life through the lens of a microscope that she gained a new perspective on her own life and that was her entryway to loving science. She graduated from Franklin County High School and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from Brenau University in Biology with a concentration in Women’s Studies. When she began having blood sugar issues and realized that many members of her family had similar and related health conditions, she wanted to find answers as to why. She began shadowing an acupuncturist and that opened the door to naturopathic medicine for her. Her desire to become a physician in naturopathic medicine led her to Arizona where she completed her 4 year doctoral program and 2 year residency through Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. After a year in private practice in Arizona, she moved to Dubai to practice women’s health. She is currently back for a short term in the United States and is planning to return to Dubai in the spring to continue her practice. Olivia has this to say to our students and community: “Believe in yourself and stay true to who you are. Know the power that you hold within your body. You can do whatever you want to do, but your body is your home and you have to take care of it in order to achieve your dreams.” We are thankful for Olivia and the impact that she is making here at home and across the world.
