Congratulations Dr. Ije Akunyili for winning the 2016 AAWEP Rising Star Award!

Dr. Akunyili took a non-traditional path on her career to emergency medicine.  Initially she graduated with a degree in literature from the University of Pennsylvania, then earned a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard before going to work as a Junior Professional Associate for the World Bank. After that she returned to medical school at the University of Maryland. She completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at UT Houston where she recognized with the Michael Wainstock Outstanding Resident Award awarded by our Texas ACEP Chapter.

Dr. Akunyili has been active in EMRA and ACEP and taken numerous leadership positions.  She served as Speaker for the EMRA Council 2013-14. She has served in the Texas Medical Association House of Delegates, specifically serving with the Harris County delegation to the TMA. She has served as an ACEP Representative to the AMA-RFS section 2012-2014. Ije has been active in the Texas Chapter of ACEP, being elected to the TCEP Board of Directors in 2014 and became a full Councilor from Texas in 2014. She has demonstrated a passion for mentorship and is a currently a Co-Director for the TCEP Leadership and Advocacy Fellowship.

Through all these activities, Dr. Akunyili has demonstrated a clear commitment to the advancement of our speciality and the professional development of women.  She is truly a rising star.  Congratulations Dr. Akunyili!