Physician Features

Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna

Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna says her catch phrase is “I haven’t lived anywhere for more than five years.” She completed her undergraduate degree at Xavier University in New Orleans where she studied Psychology with a minor in International Affairs and Chemistry. She attended medical school at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in DC. One summer she completed a project at a bioengineering lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin in the department of PM&R and that is where her journey into PM&R began.

Were you always thinking of PM&R as a specialty?

I knew I wanted to do pediatrics, so after I discovered PM&R I wondered if the two of them existed together, and of course they did so that’s what I studied going into medical school. After that I did a combined training program of general PM&R, general pediatrics and pediatric rehab at the University of Colorado/Denver Children's Hospital.

My first job was at the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, and I worked there for about five years before moving to Houston and accepting a job with Baylor College of Medicine where I am now at Texas Children’s Hospital. I’m celebrating my fifth work anniversary this year. I really love it here and enjoy my work family. I love that Houston is a diverse city and the culture and environment really reflect that. I am the fellowship program director for pediatric rehab, so I have an active role in education, and I get a lot of joy from that. Clinically I co-direct the spina bifida clinic, and we have a spinal cord clinic that I run in addition to my general PM&R clinic.

How did you get started volunteering with the ABPMR?

I started as an oral board examiner during 2020 because I remember it was the first year they hosted them virtually. I thought it would be a great opportunity to be involved in the growth of the field and the next generation of physicians. One thing I hope to do is promote and increase visibility for pediatric rehab because there are not a lot of us in the country, I think I am number 241.

One of my pillars is equality and inclusion in everything that we do. Within the fellowship program I have created a leadership training program they complete throughout their two years. We need to be inclusive when we think about the families and patients that we take care of, and we want to be able to connect with them. We consider that in our trainees and training programs. If you’re asking somebody to be inclusive in how they care, you must be inclusive in how you train them.

Why do you think board certification is important?

I think it is important as a benchmark. Once you’re out in practice, you want to be sure you are staying on top of what’s new, current, and making sure your clinical practices don’t become stagnant. I’ve really enjoyed what the Board has done in terms of the longitudinal curriculum. It accurately reflects how we practice opposed to studying for an exam every 10 years. It fosters continued active learning and is more pertinent to your clinical practice, so I think that has changed my answer.

What are some things you enjoy doing outside the office?

I took a trip to Morocco last year where I did a pottery session and loved it. When I returned home, I found a place and have been doing throwing, hand sculpting and hand building. I really love it because it’s meditative, my brain isn’t anywhere else, and I am just in the flow of being creative. The best thing about it, which I think is great for me as a physician and perfectionist, is I must be ready to let go at any point, my piece may crack, break, or turn out wrong but I must be able to move on, let it go, and start over. I have two dogs, a cat and love to travel. I just got back from Bali, and I am going to Tokyo in September for the Track World Championships.


Originally Published: January 14, 2025