Komi Kassa, Nursing (ADN Program)

Elvis Kassa – A Heart for Healing

For Komi Gagnon Elvis Kassa, known simply as Elvis, 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.

“I’ve always carried that experience with me,” Kassa said. “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. That has shaped everything I do.”

Now 23, Elvis immigrated to the United States in March 2022 through the Diversity Visa Program, following in the footsteps of his father, who came to the U.S. 13 years earlier after winning the American Visa Lottery.

With his green card secured, Elvis arrived in South Carolina ready to pursue the dreams he had nurtured since childhood. “Coming to the U.S. was a life-changing moment,” he said. “I knew the opportunities here were far greater than what I had access to back home. I told myself, ‘This is your chance! Go all in!’ I was 10 times more motivated.”

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 soon after arriving, life took an unexpected but welcome turn. Elvis began working at McLeod Health as a patient transporter. It was there that 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. “Nurses are there every day. They connect with patients, they advocate, they comfort. They’re the heart of healthcare.”

That realization sparked a change in direction. Instead of heading straight into a pre-med program, Elvis decided to enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Florence-Darlington Technical College. It was a strategic choice, one that allows him to gain hands-on experience while still working toward his long-term goal of becoming a physician.

Between settling into college life and planning for the future, Elvis has embraced every opportunity FDTC offers. 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.

“My plan now is to finish my ADN, start working as an RN, and then continue my education,” he explained. “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.”

At FDTC, Elvis has found a supportive environment that pushes him to excel.

“The instructors care about your success here,” he said. “They challenge you, but they also support you. That combination has helped me grow so much, academically, professionally, and as a person.”

While balancing school, work, and long-term goals isn’t always easy, Elvis keeps his focus on the bigger picture.

“I remind myself that this journey is bigger than me,” he said. “One day, I want to be in an operating room helping someone the same way I was helped. That’s what keeps me going.”

With his passion, perseverance, and purpose, Elvis Kassa is more than a nursing student; he’s an inspiration. And at Florence-Darlington Technical College, his journey is just getting started.

“FTDC is a great technical college, especially for me,” he said. “The financial aid assistance and all the resources provided by FDTC are very helpful. At FDTC, I have every reason and resource to succeed and no excuse not to be excellent. Even though I was an out-of-country student in my first semester, FDTC’s registration process made my transition and admission easy and possible.”

Are you interested in a career in nursing? Or do you have an interest in other medical related fields? Check out what FDTC has to offer. Visit fdtc.edu to learn more.