By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Sunday, October 26, 2025, was a memorable day for family members, friends and associates who came to witness the bestowment of the Distinguished Medical Practitioner (DMP) Award on the Executive Medical Director of Regions Healthcare, Hospitals and Specialist Clinics, Owerri, Prof. Benjamin Anyanwu, by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter.
Anyanwu, a United States of America trained medical expert, was given the prestigious honour during the luncheon of the Imo NMA which marked the closing ceremony of its week-long 2025 Physicians’ Week at the Foret Event Center, Owerri, after an earlier thanksgiving service at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
Performing the exercise, the Imo State NMA Chairman, Dr. Bartholomew Uzodimma Echeta, hailed Prof. Anyanwu for his outstanding contributions towards the growth of the medical profession and the association.
He noted that the DMP Award, which is the highest bestowed on deserving doctors, was a reward mechanism for excellence by the NMA for members. He congratulated the recipient and urged him to continue his noble services to the NMA and humanity.
Interacting with newsmen, Prof. Anyanwu, expressed delight for being honored, while showing gratitude to the NMA. He described the DMP Award as “Special” to him.
“I feel great receiving this honour like anyone who receives it. This is special to me because it has come from my primary constituency; the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA),” Prof. Anyanwu, who holds triple board certifications in General Neurology, Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care, by the American Board of Medical Specialties and United Council of Neurological Subspecialties, said.
He bared his mind on the state of the Imo State NMA, hailing the state leadership for its proactiveness and achievements in moving the association forward, pledging his continous support.
On the Physicians’ Week, Prof. Anyanwu, explained that the annual event provides medical doctors the opportunity among other things, to reflect on their commitments to their medical practice, as well as to make improvements where necessary, while facilitating bonding and collaborations among them. He added that the theme: “Healthcare As A Value Chain: Building Efficiency From Policy To Patient” inspired renewed dedication towards service delivery.
Let us recall that Prof. Benjamin Anyanwu, before returning to Nigeria, had served at various times as the Medical Director of the Novant Health Comprehensive Stroke Program, Medical Director, Neurocritical Intensive Care Unit, and Chairman of Neurosciences at Novant Health, Forsyth Medical Center, North Carolina, USA.
Besides, the new DMP Award recipient is also the Founder of TeleNeuro; TeleStroke consultation program in Nigeria, as well as the Regions Stroke Alert, which offers neurological and stroke consultations to hospitals accross Nigeria through telemedicine.
In recognitions of his commitment to transforming Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, Prof. Anyanwu, has received several national honours, including, the “Special Recognition Award by the National Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) for excellence in stroke management and neurosciences in Nigeria.
He is also a recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) during its 65th Annual National General Conference and Delegate Meeting, as well as the “National Diaspora Merit Award” by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) acknowledging his immense contributions in the medical field.
Prof. Anyanwu, is an internationally recognized leader in stroke care, and a global health expert, philanthropist, and an accomplished healthcare administrator.
