New faculty spotlight: Obiaara Ukah, MD, PhD

Obiaara Ukah, MD, PhD, is a new faculty member at UNMC.

• Name: Obiaara Ukah, MD, PhD
• Titles and department at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine; attending physician, Nebraska Medicine & Bellevue Medical Center Emergency Departments. 
• Hometown: Columbia, Missouri

Research (or professional) interests:

• Point-of-care ultrasound
• Medical student and resident education
• Minorities in STEM

How I fell in love with emergency medicine:

My introduction to emergency medicine was not exactly a lighthearted one. Near the end of my third year of medical school, I was on a trauma rotation when a patient arrived after a devastating accident with a fatal head injury. I was given the difficult task of helping prepare the trauma bay before the patient’s loved ones came in.

As heartbreaking as that experience was, it was also my first real glimpse into emergency medicine. I watched the emergency physician rapidly assess the patient, initiate critical treatment, and work side by side with the surgical team. I remember thinking, “This is an incredibly important role.” Although I knew surgery was not the right path for me, I was eager to explore trauma care from the perspective of emergency medicine.

During my dedicated emergency medicine rotations, I quickly realized that the specialty extended far beyond trauma. One minute, you may be caring for someone having a massive heart attack; the next, you are helping a patient experiencing acute psychosis or repairing a deep laceration with a few stitches. I loved the variety, the unpredictability and the opportunity to make an immediate difference for patients from all walks of life.

The fact that I could do meaningful, fast-paced work and still leave the hospital with time and energy for my family sealed the deal. I truly could not be happier with my choice. If I had to do it all over again, emergency medicine would still be at the top of my list—no hesitation!

Degrees:

• BS, biology with chemistry minor, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri
• PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
• MD, University of Missouri-Columbia,

Memberships:

• American College of Emergency Physicians

Three things people may not know about me:

• I love reading comics before going to bed. It helps me wind down!
• I am a sucker for a good horror movie–as long as it’s not another one about zombies.
• I have four children ranging from the ages of 2 to 17, and they keep me very busy!