Godwin Maduka, is a Nigerian-American doctor, businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Center. In 2008, he played a major role in the renaming of his hometown, from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu.
Early life and education
Maduka was born in Nkerehi, Anambra State, Nigeria. He started his education in Nawfia Comprehensive Secondary School and All Saints Grammar school, Umunze, before getting an admission to study Medicine at the University of Port Harcourt, but couldn't join his peers due to lack of monetary support. He got an opportunity through a friend to study at Rust College on a scholarship that covered half of his tuition. He later got monetary support from his younger brother and uncle and moved to the United States in 1982. In 1984, he graduated summa cum laude in chemistry from Rust College and got another scholarship to study pharmacy at Mercer University, graduating in 1988. After graduation, he worked as a pharmacy technician, before getting a full scholarship to study medicine at University of Tennessee, where he completed an internship and graduated in 1993. He furthered to Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for his post graduate training and residency in anesthesiology, critical care and pain management, graduating in 1997.
Career
In 1997, after his education, Maduka moved to Las Vegas and got a job where he was paid $8,000 as an advance payment. He worked as an anesthesiologist at Desert SpringUnited Methodist Church, Nevada and other hospitals, before starting his own practice at Red Rock Medical Group, Nevada. In 1999, he founded Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Center, before expanding to other six locations in Southern Nevada. He is a clinical faculty supervisor and adjunct professor of pain management and anesthesiology at Touro University Nevada. He is also a clinical assistant professor of surgery at UNLV School of Medicine.
Philanthropy
Maduka has invested over $20 million in various community development projects in Umuchukwu. He built houses for the poor, churches, market, schools, police station, police academy and college, post office, magistrate court and a high court for the Anambra State government. He also built a 17-floor multiplex medical research centre in Umuchukwu.
Awards and recognition
In 2015, Life and Times Magazine placed him on its cover, featuring him atop its "Winter 2015 Edition". In 2017, he received Africa's Most Inspirational Developmental Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Award at the 2017 Pan Africa Business Leadership Summit & Merit Awards. In 2019, he was honoured with a chieftaincy title as Okeosisi Orumba by Orumba South in Umunze, alongside his wife, Stella who was honoured as Ugo ka ibe ya mma. He also received the Man of the Year award at the 2019 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Award. In December 2019, he was honoured at the 2019 Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award. In January 2020, Attention Magazine placed him on its cover, featuring him atop its "2020 Impression Edition".
Personal life
While growing up, Maduka's mother was a farmer and petty trader. He later became a pharmacist and medical doctor after his father, who was a traditional herbalist that used roots and natural medicine to heal his patients. He is married to Stella Maduka and they have five children.
