Maplewood Resident Chukwuemeka S. Nwigwe Honored with Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., Medal of Excellence

In May, eight University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey graduates from 2012–2013 were honored with the Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence. More than four decades ago, Dr. Stanley Bergen became the founding President of UMDNJ, and his many contributions touched the lives of thousands of students, patients, faculty and staff. Dr. Bergen’s personal philosophy—that dedication to compassionate care helps shape academic excellence—became UMDNJ’s defining value. In his honor, the Board of Trustees annually recognizes one individual from each school whose activities inside and out of the classroom embrace Dr. Bergen’s vision to improve the health and quality of life of all of New Jersey’s citizens.

This year’s Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence honorees are:

• Chukwuemeka S. Nwigwe, School of Health Related Professions (shown here with UMDNJ Interim President Dr. Denise V. Rodgers)
• Jessian Munoz, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• Ivan G. Georgiev, New Jersey Dental School
• Karim Yussef Helmy, New Jersey Medical School
• Catherine Madurski, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Laurie A. Huryk, School of Nursing
• Brittany Alexis Perry, School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Jermey Orlando Taylor, School of Public Health

Chukwuemeka S. Nwigwe, a resident of Maplewood who received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) in May 2012, was awarded the Bergen Medal on May 21, 2013 at SHRP’s Convocation at The Pines Manor in Edison. This honor is only the most recent award for Nwigwe: He was the recipient of both the Lansbury Prize for Academic Excellence and a Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Service at UMDNJ in May 2012.

Nwigwe’s service included work with the Child and Adult Migrant Worker workshops, volunteering at the Special Olympics as well as a variety of assignments as a physical therapy aide. An exceptional student, he generously shared his expertise as a student tutor for two of the three years he was at UMDNJ.

In addition, he has been an active participant in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and his work on a state level led to his election to represent more than 21,000 student physical therapists and physical therapist assistants at APTA.