A Q&A with Dr. Porché Warren Adams '07

Hailing from the Class of 2007, Porché Warren Adams attended Furman University, where she studied biology before receiving her master’s degree in public health from Mercer University and her doctorate from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is currently in her third year of residency with the UT College of Medicine with plans to graduate in 2023 as an OB-GYN. She is married to her junior year prom date, Jarrod, and the pair has a two-year-old daughter and a newborn son. They are excited to raise their children in the same city where they grew up. 

Q. How did you get into what you’re doing now? Did you always know you wanted to enter the medical field?

A. After taking human biology and AP Biology at GPS, I knew I wanted to pursue medicine. Mrs. Dizer and Mrs. Durham made me fall in love with the human body and want to learn all about it. I pursued a degree in biology for undergrad. 

Q. Why are you passionate about what you do?

A. I think from being raised in a household by a strong Black woman, having sisters, and attending an all-girls school, my passion has always been shaped toward helping and supporting women of all ages. After volunteering in high school and college, I always found myself drawn to helping young girls. This became even more evident after joining a sorority in college. I knew early on in my college career that I wanted to practice women’s health. Outside of medicine, I’m driven to supporting and providing opportunities for young girls as they pursue their dreams. 

Q. What was your favorite tradition at GPS? Why?

A. May Day—a day where the whole school comes together for a big traditional performance. More so, being able to share in that tradition with my sisters made it so much more special. As a seventh-grader, I danced at May Day when my oldest sister was a senior. Then my senior year, my younger sister was in sixth grade and participated in the dances as I watched on from the top of the front lawn. Sharing so many memories and traditions that passed on year to year with my sisters is the best tradition. 

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you got during your time at GPS? Do you remember who it came from?

A. Mr. Montgomery, my senior English teacher, would say, “Step outside of your comfort zone—do something outside of the box.” Your friends and family will always be there to support you if or when you fail, but know that it is OK to fail. 

Q. If you could offer one piece of advice to current GPS students, what would it be?

A. Soak up every moment you can while at GPS. Hold onto every memory and learn all the lessons you can. Then go out and live boldly, knowing that you received the best education and opportunities while becoming a young woman who values character, honesty, and integrity. When things get hard, think back to your time here and find a little piece of something that makes you smile or laugh or remember that you are a girl with power and strength, and nothing can hold you back from being the best you. 

Q. Do you stay in touch with your classmates? What impact have they had on your life?

A. Yes. Living in Chattanooga, it's so nice to get to regularly see my friends who I have known since middle school. 

Q. Can you point to anything that GPS did to prepare you for your future?

A. Study skills and how to prioritize assignments—I remember learning all of these techniques in sixth grade at the Learning Center. Now as a physician who has been through college, graduate school, and medical school, I find myself using those same skills and tricks to study and prepare for tests. Learning how to take notes (in all the fun pen colors) is something I still love to do. 

Q. What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

A. Graduating medical school and getting into residency in obstetrics/gynecology was a major accomplishment. I think it meant so much more to me because it is something that I have dreamed about since I walked the halls at GPS. 

And having my own daughter and raising her as I pursue a career that is tough, challenging, and time-consuming. 

Q. Are there any experiences or memories from your time at GPS that really stand out? 

A. I think back mostly to time at the lunch table. It was a small part of every day, but it was the best part of my day. I mostly remember the uncontrolled laughter each day, telling and sharing stories and just being with your best friends. 

Q. Why is Black History Month important to you and why is it important that we acknowledge and honor the month here at GPS? 

A. BHM is important to me because our history should be told and shared. It's important to remind ourselves of where we have been and what we went through to fully appreciate where we are. More importantly, it is important to tell these stories that have shaped the life of many students at GPS.