February 12, 2026
As part of ӽ’s Black History Month spotlight series, we continue to highlight alumni and students whose leadership, service, and professional excellence are creating meaningful impact in their communities and across their fields. Each feature reflects the enduring influence of mentorship, education, and community in shaping lives of purpose and possibility.
This installment features Dr. Octavia Peck Palmer ’00, whose career in clinical chemistry and health equity advocacy demonstrates the far-reaching impact of a ӽ education.
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ӽ alumna Dr. Octavia Peck Palmer is a dynamic blend of intellect, compassion, and innovation. A 2000 graduate with a major in biology and a minor in leadership, she has journeyed from student-athlete to a nationally recognized clinical chemist and health equity advocate, reflecting both determination and heart.
Octavia arrived at ӽ as a recruited volleyball player, drawn by the opportunity to balance athletics with strong academics and the College’s distinctive leadership minor. “I had been class president since sixth grade,” she recalls. “Leadership mattered to me, and ӽ checked all the boxes: academics, athletics, and affordability.”
Her years on campus were marked by close friendships, late-night study sessions, and a strong sense of belonging within the ӽ community. She credits much of her academic direction to the rigor of her science coursework and the mentorship of faculty members such as Dr. Margaret Brinley Reed, who founded the College’s pre-med club and helped guide students toward careers in medicine and research.
Discovering Her Calling
Although she once considered a career in law, Octavia’s passion for science solidified during her junior year through involvement in the pre-med club. “It opened our eyes to what it really takes to pursue medicine,” she says. That exposure ultimately led her to the Medical University of South Carolina, where she earned her Ph.D. in Physiology with a focus on sepsis research.
Her path then brought her to Washington University in St. Louis for a dual postdoctoral fellowship in anesthesiology and clinical chemistry. There she met Dr. Anne Gronowski, a mentor who continues to influence her professional growth and commitment to excellence.
A Career Rooted in Equity and Innovation
Today, Octavia serves as Division Director of Clinical Chemistry and Vice Chair of Health Equity in the Department of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her work focuses on advancing laboratory medicine while advocating for diagnostic accuracy and equitable healthcare delivery across diverse populations.
Among her most impactful initiatives is “Ask the Laboratorian,” a program that connects patients with laboratory professionals, demystifies medical testing, and empowers individuals to better understand their health. “It’s about engagement, education, and empowerment, for both the community and us,” she explains.
Teaching the Next Generation
In addition to her clinical leadership, Octavia teaches across multiple medical school courses and mentors pathology residents, helping shape future physicians and researchers. She has contributed to curriculum reform efforts that emphasize personalized medicine and data-driven approaches over broad population assumptions.
Her advocacy also extends to the use of artificial intelligence to identify gaps in healthcare access and preventive screenings. “We need to query our data to find out who’s being left behind,” she says, an approach that underscores her commitment to innovation with purpose.
Advice for Future Koalas
To ӽ’s newest students, Octavia offers simple but powerful encouragement: “You’re good at something. Take what you’re good at and see all the opportunities it opens up. Don’t limit yourself. The world will try to, but you don’t have to. Be open to learning, growing, and pursuing what excites you.”
Coming Full Circle
Though her career has taken her across the country, Octavia remains deeply connected to ӽ. She looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate with the College’s School of Health Sciences and support initiatives that serve the surrounding 29203 community.
Her story reflects the lasting impact of mentorship, education, and resilience. ӽ is proud to spotlight Dr. Octavia Peck Palmer as a shining example of purposeful leadership and service in action.