Coming from two educators, his parents who were both professors, he valued education highly. He encouraged those who he engaged to strive for their highest dreams and often encouraged people to get degrees that would advance their career.

He was born in Umuahia, Nigeria in 1952 to Dr. Samuel Nwankwo Nwabara and Dr. Comfort Chisaraokwu Nwabara – both teachers and community leaders themselves. He came to the United States in 1970 after being conscripted in the Nigerian/Biafran civil war as a boy, joining his mother and siblings who were already in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Previously he went to Umuahia Government College, where he met some of his closest friends to this day. When he arrived to Michigan, Dr. Nwabara worked hard to catch up to his siblings and classmates, and eventually attended Denison University in Ohio, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in biology.

He later gained entrance and graduated with his medical degree in December 1980 from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1984.  Dr. Nwabara worked in hospitals and nursing homes throughout northwest Indiana and Chicagoland for over 40 years. He eventually co-owned and operated Chiola Medical with Dr. Chiedu Nchekwube. Later, He owned and operated the Internal Medicine Center of Northwest Indiana. After decades of working there as a privately owned practice, it later became Edgewater Primary Care as Dr. Nwabara worked towards retirement.

He was a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, and his special interests were in cardiology, renal, pulmonary, lung disease, and geriatric care. He served as the President of Medical Staff at Methodist Hospitals (Gary Merrillville, IN) from 2004-2005.

His unwavering commitment to the community and a roster of patients numbering 5000+ are among the hallmarks of his legacy. After serving on the board of directors for 10 years, in 2016 Dr. Nwabara became the Chief Medical Officer for Edgewater Health. Under his direction the organization’s portfolio expanded to include primary care.

Widely known as a gentle giant who gave the most amazing bear hugs, Dr. Nwabara entered his heavenly home on January 4, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Ijeoma; children Olaocha, Nnadozie, Odochi (Jesús, baby Okechi), Kelechi (Kristoff), Uzoma and Ogechi; brother Obioha; (heavenly brother Enyi); sisters Chisara and June; many nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts; a community of physicians and providers; and his Edgewater Health family.

He believed in building others up to their best selves, and understood that in doing so the world around us would benefit. This philosophy is similar to the African community he came from – the Igbo of Nigeria – where each member of a community should strive to see the others succeed, so that the community can flourish together. He understood that truly – it takes a village to raise a child.

This award is established in Dr. Nwabara’s name, posthumously, to continue his spirit of giving by providing support to individuals and/or groups in the Northwest Indiana area build themselves and/or their community up in various ways. It hopes to inspire others to strive to be their best selves, and continue to share that spirit outward to build our community here in the Northwest Indiana area and beyond.

The Dr. Okechi N. Nwabara Spirit of Hope Award will recognize individuals and groups/organizations for their passion and commitment to impact and move themselves and community forward with Leadership, Teamwork and Innovation.

• The award welcomes nominations of others, or self nominations. Those who are nominated by others will be contacted to complete the application form.
• The awardee will go to an individual and/or group/organization whose intentions relate to the “Definition of the Award”
• Use of award should go toward an activity that betters and strengthens the NW Indiana community. This activity should be clearly stated, and will be accepted based on explanation (e.g. school fees to be an MA/Nurse/Doctor, community project that benefits youth, organization’s activities for its members who positively impact community)
• A report sharing what the award was used for, how the project/event went, and how it has benefited you and/or the Northwest Indiana area.