Chidozie Onyiuke, MD, MBA, MA

By Marena Keci

The journey for class of 2024 Chidozie Onyiuke, MD, MA, MBA, was intertwined in the realms of medicine and business and showed his resilience and passion for helping others.

Injured in an accident at 18, he spent time in an Intensive Care Unit. Experiencing how doctors and nurses cared for him inspired Onyiuke to study medicine. After completing his undergraduate degree in biology at Loyola University Maryland, Onyiuke was at a crossroads: was medical school the right path for him?

Following graduation, unsure if he wanted to pursue medical school, Onyiuke worked in research and development (R&D) at Colgate-Palmolive for two years and then joined Pfizer’s R&D team. There, he delved into the intricacies of healthcare, gaining invaluable insights into both the clinical and business aspects. Working at Pfizer was particularly influential in Onyiuke’s decision to pursue medicine. Yet he yearned for something more – a deeper connection with patients and the ability to make a tangible impact on their lives, which led him to consider pursuing both an MD and an MBA.

After five years working in industry, Onyiuke embarked on a challenging academic track, pursuing an MBA at Quinlan School of Business, and a dual degree (MD/ MA in Bioethics and Health Policy) at Stritch. For the first three years, he worked on his MD and MA simultaneously. In his fourth year, he transferred to Quinlan where he completed his MBA in one year and then returned to Stritch to complete his fourth year of medical school. Clearly, it was a balancing act. He recalled one of the toughest times: juggling a Surgery rotation with a Healthcare and Justice Bioethics course. The rotation required him to record the overnight patient vitals (such as temperature, oxygen saturation, and other vital signs) in real-time, so he was up at 3:30 a.m. to gather and record that information for the care team the following morning. During this time, he had to balance the demands of a foundational bioethics course that required engagement and critical thinking. “Thankfully, my professor was really supportive,” he said. “He was flexible, which helped me significantly,” said Onyiuke.

As Onyiuke navigated the demands of his three degrees, balancing ICU rotations with medically complex patient cases, and a demanding capstone project that required significant research and writing, he was driven by curiosity, a desire to learn, and the commitment to make a positive difference in the healthcare system. “It was difficult managing three degrees, but time management in any profession is crucial. You’re going to need to sacrifice time and miss social events like birthday parties and engagement celebrations to stay on top of things, but having family and friends who understand is important and greatly improves the medical school experience,” he said. To help manage his time, Onyiuke often used his free time for “homework” -- like listening to recorded lectures during commutes or while exercising. Additionally, he regularly reviewed and adjusted his study methods to find the most efficient strategies. “To optimize my time, I broke down large tasks into smaller ones, dedicating an hour each day and then a few more hours during the weekends,” he said, which made his courseload more manageable.

For Onyiuke, combining medicine and business was not merely a career choice. It was a calling. He hopes to bridge the gap between clinical practice and healthcare administration, leveraging his expertise in both fields to create meaningful change within healthcare. Onyiuke thought Loyola University Chicago was the perfect institution for him, with its mission of helping communities and serving under-resourced individuals. Loyola’s ethos matched his vision of what he wanted to be as a physician. Its location was also a significant factor. “The city has communities that suffer from significant health disparities. I wanted to understand why and come up with solutions,” said Onyiuke.

Throughout his studies, Onyiuke remained committed to community involvement and holistic care, engaging with initiatives like Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP), Proviso United with Loyola Students for Educational Enrichment (PULSE), and the Alpha Quest Youth Mentoring program.

“By offering high school students in these programs a closer look at the healthcare field, we help them explore educational opportunities and consider careers in medicine,” said Onyiuke. “This work supports community health and empowers the next generation of healthcare professionals,” he said

The community programs recharged and refocused Onyiuke. “Inspiring young minds is a privilege, and although not everyone will go into healthcare, those who do have the power to change lives,” said Onyiuke. “Volunteering was invaluable to me,” he said.

Looking to the future, Onyiuke is dedicated to his goal of making a difference in the lives of patients and in the broader healthcare landscape. In June 2024, he began his Internal Medicine residency at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans. Onyiuke plans to practice medicine for 10-20 years, gaining knowledge and experience, then transition to the business side of healthcare, possibly working in hospital administration. “Being able to speak both the healthcare and business languages is important to create a cohesive and better system,” he said. 

July 2024