Dr. Chinazor Umerah

M.B.A., Methodist University; M.B.B.S., Nnamdi Azikiwe University College of Medicine

Bio:

Dr. Chinazor Umerah is a highly accomplished physician, educator, and administrative leader with dual expertise in clinical internal medicine and healthcare business administration. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Experience at the Methodist University, Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine (CFV SOM), a position she is slated to begin in 2025, concurrently with her ongoing role as the Transitional Year Residency Program Director at Cape Fear Valley Health (CFVH), a position she has held since 2018.

Education & Training

Dr. Umerah earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, equivalent to an MD) from Nnamdi Azikiwe University College of Medicine, Nigeria, in 1996. She completed her postgraduate training, including an Internal Medicine Residency, at the New York Medical College/Sound Shore Medical Center in 2012. Complementing her clinical expertise, she obtained a Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Healthcare Administration from Methodist University in 2017, providing her with a unique perspective on medical and organizational efficiency. She also holds certification in Diversity, Inclusion & Equity from Cornell University (2019) and in Physician Advising (2022). She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP).

Leadership & Academic Roles

Dr. Umerah is a dedicated medical educator and administrative leader. Prior to her current role at Methodist University, she served as the Regional Associate Dean for Drexel University College of Medicine (2023-2025). Within the Cape Fear Valley Health system, she has held significant clinical leadership positions, including Chief of the Department of Medicine (2022-present) and Physician Advisor (2022-2024).

In the academic sphere, she holds the rank of Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the new Methodist University CFV SOM and at Campbell University College of Osteopathic Medicine (since 2021), and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine (since 2023). As a Program Director of the Transitional Year Residency Program at CFVH since 2017, she has been instrumental in curriculum development, resident mentorship, and compliance with ACGME standards, having supervised over 100 residents through their training. She is also the founding Chief Officer for Health Equity & Community Engagement at CFVH Graduate Medical Education.

Scholarship & Community Engagement

Dr. Umerah is an active contributor to medical scholarship, with peer-reviewed publications and posters focusing on areas such as metabolic dysfunction, asthma, and the impact of social determinants of health on disease. She has also served as a reviewer for journals including CUREUS Journal of Medicine Science and StatPearls.

A staunch advocate for community health and equity, Dr. Umerah champions several impactful initiatives:

• Umoja Festival Health Fair: Organizes and coordinates annual community health screenings and physician reviews.
• Medical Spanish Language Education for Providers: Partnered with Southern Regional AHEC and EL Centro Hispano to provide courses aimed at improving communication and cultural understanding.
• Making Rounds Radio-Talk Show: Organizes monthly community outreach and education for the public on disease prevention and management.
• Health Equity & Community Engagement: Successfully established and implemented the GME DE&I Committee and policy, and conducted research on provider comfort and knowledge in managing the LGBTQIA+ population.

Dr. Umerah’s career is marked by a profound commitment to excellent patient care, innovative medical education, and inclusive health system leadership.