Amara Ugwu-Decker, MD, MPH

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is pleased to announce that Amara Ugwu-Decker, MD, MPH, will receive its 2023 Resident Leadership Award.

The OAFP presents the Resident Leadership Award to an individual who has exhibited leadership and shows dedication to promoting family medicine, practices a high degree of professionalism, and possess immense promise as a family physician.

Dr. Decker received her medical degree at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine in Columbus, OH, and matched into The OSU Wexner Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program in 2020 where she is currently chief resident.

Other leadership roles include her previous service as the elected maternity and newborn care chief, organizing the assignment of 50-60 pregnant patients managed by 18 family medicine residents; as well as her role as co-lead of the Health Equity and Advocacy Committee, working to increase the understanding of health equity and social determinants of health by organizing journal clubs for fellow residents throughout the year.

Currently, Dr. Decker is lead on a number of other committees within the OSU Department of Family and Community Medicine including, Resident Recruitment Committee; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; Medical Education Committee; and Patient Education Committee.

“Dr. Decker’s leadership style can be described as team-oriented, disciplined, dedicated, imaginative, and loyal—a servant-leader, “ said professor John McConaghy, MD, CPE, FAAFP.

Dr. Decker also volunteers as a resident mentor for the Black Women in Medicine network, nurturing the professional and personal growth of Black women at The OSU Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, providing leadership development, community service opportunities, and social networking.

“Much like medical training, leadership has also been a journey of discovering my passions and learning to use my voice. As a Black immigrant woman, I am often underrepresented in medicine and this reality has influenced my desire to pursue roles of leadership where I can be a voice and advocate for all people,” said Dr. Decker.

Dr. Decker will begin a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Duke University’s Palliative Care Division in Durham, NC, in July.

“Palliative Medicine allows me to combine my passion for advocacy, education, and caring for people across the life course to those with serious and life limiting illnesses,” Dr. Decker explained. “Both my residency training and leadership experiences have highlighted the importance of communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills.”

The OAFP congratulates Dr. Decker for this recognition.

“I would like to dedicate this award to my mother, Salome Ndidi, who was an educator and my first example of a woman in leadership,” said Dr. Decker. “My mother encouraged my pursuit of medicine and fostered my love for education and service to others. In 2021, during my second year of residency, my mother passed away unexpectedly. Though she is not able to see me at the end of my residency journey, she has been my motivation and drive throughout training.”

To learn more about the Resident Leadership Award, please visit the OAFP website.

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide, professional association with more than 5,200 members, including practicing physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, and every disease entity. Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family. For more information, please visit www.ohioafp.org.

-30-

Editor’s Note
To receive a copy of Dr. Decker’s photograph, please email Communications Manager Lauren Heberling.