b'That morning, Gonfa stopped at businesses along the way, asking if there were job openings. At the Barnabas Networka nonprofit that helps needy families hes told there are no paid positions, but volunteers are needed. So, he signed up. Someone told him jobs were available at Lorillard just down the street. I applied for every job they had, Gonfa said. As a result of volunteering with the Barnabas Network, he was given a bus pass, which enabled him to expand his job search. Later, while applying for a job at Walmart, he met a pharmacy manager whose parents immigrated here. He had a good understanding of what being a refugee meant, Gonfa said. The manager liked his attitude and willingness to learn and gave him a job.The position wasnt a good fit. It required computer skills Gonfa hadnt acquired yet. So, the pharmacy manager assigned him to work the register, and patiently taught Gonfa how to ring up orders. Soon, he got a second full-time job working the overnight shift at a gas station not far from his home. In between, he took English and computer classes.One day he decided to stop by UNCGs biology department for some guidance. He found Robert Cannon, an associate professor who has for decades advised students wanting to go into medicineand ended up getting more than two hours of his time. He just filled me with positive energy, Gonfa said. Cannon encouraged him to get his college records from Ethiopia. Luckily, Gonfa knew someone back there who could send them.With credits from the school, Gonfa was able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from UNCG in just two and a half years and was later accepted into the medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill. That put him one more step closer to realizing his dream. Gonfa, who by then had become an American citizen and was the father of a second child, applied to Cone Health for his residency because he wanted to remain in the community he came to love.While working at Moses Cone Hospital, his supervisors took note of his care with patients, especially those here as refugees. When his residency was over and he graduated this spring, Gonfa wanted to stay with Cone Health. Cone Health officials wanted the same.What a blessing to have someone with his medical skills and compassion . caring for our patients, said Hensel, who runs Cone Healths family medicine program. Next month, he starts a full-time job as a family practice physician. Gonfa hopes to volunteer with Doctors Without Borders in the future. I still think about those people in the refugee camp, Gonfa said. When I decided to go to medical school, I wanted to be like those doctors I worked with.He also realizes he didnt get here alone. Ive had many guardian angels, he said. 15Original story in the Greensboro News & Record 16'