The Distinguished Alumnus Award, presented annually by the Alumni Association, was given to  Nkechi Mbadugha for her contributions to healthcare, education and community engagement. As part of the award, Mbadugha served as the alumni guest speaker during Convocation on May 20.

A 2015 graduate of the Rutgers School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program, she focused her clinical expertise in emergency medicine, working as an emergency room physician assistant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and later, at Summit Medical Group Urgent Care Centers. She returned to SHP in 2019 as a lecturer in the Physician Assistant program.

Distinguished Alumnus Award, Nkechi Mbadugha

“To be recognized with this award by the very school that helped launched by my career and that I now get to serve is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” she said.

As someone who began learning the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 40, she said, she wanted to share a lesson she learned from training.

“You can do hard things. Hard will look different for everyone and it can change throughout your life. For some, it might mean stepping into new role, for others, applying for their first grant or advocating for your patients or finding your voice, even when you are still learning to believe that you have earned the mike,” she said.

 “And perhaps, the most important hard thing, continuing to uphold the values that make our beloved community so special. Embrace difference, uphold justice, foster environments in which belonging is prioritized.”

Mbadugha  has made significant contributions to curriculum development as well as served as co-director for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination/Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination review course Beyond the classroom, Mbadugha participates in a variety of programs such as the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Building Bridges for Impact & Growth Ambassador Program and the Rutgers Connection Network Mentoring Program, to build connections and provide support and growth opportunities for current students.

She also serves on various university and program committees, including the Rutgers University Senate, the SHP Equity Task Force, the student-led Rutgers Black Physician Assistant Association and the Physician Assistant Curriculum Racial Equity (PACRE) Task Force, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Mbadugha provides clinical services as a volunteer Physician Assistant at the H.O.P.E. Clinic in Plainfield and is involved with several community health fairs.

She makes an impact in every facet of health care through leadership, service and teaching.