From Oil Field to Health Care: Chineme Chima-Nlewem, PA-C

• By School of Health Professions
• November 20, 2024
• Education

Chineme Chima-Nlewem, PA-C, was born in Nigeria and came to the United States to get her master's degree in petroleum engineering. After graduation, she worked in the oil field for two years and transitioned to the office, where she worked in advanced technologies. Within two years of coming here, she was promoted to be the North American Land Manager of her division. 

Presently, Chineme’s life looks quite different. She now works as a pain management provider at MCH ProCare Interventional Pain Medicine - a career born out of her own painful experience.

At the height of her oil career, she became pregnant, and when her baby was born, he wasn't breathing. His healthcare providers jumped into action, flying him to the NICU in Odessa. 

“When I first saw my child, I was helpless,” Chineme says. “He had all these tubes, and it was all so complicated. I thought, ‘How do they know which one is which?’ The healthcare providers came in and took care of my son, and I was like, ‘Wow, who are these people?’ And I thought my work was advanced.” 

Although she worked with some of the most advanced technologies in the world, she felt like she was “nobody” in comparison to these healthcare experts. 

She continues, “These people were so compassionate. They were like angels doing miracles; it challenged my view of the world.”

So, Chineme made up her mind. She knew she wanted to do something to give back. She was going to find her way into healthcare somehow. 

Everything turned around for her son, and she started looking into ways to get into the profession. Once the oil industry started to slow down, she started researching and discovered TTUHSC’s Physician Assistant program. 

“It was a dream come true when I found I had been accepted into the school,” she says. “I wanted to know more, to read more. The more I studied, the more I wanted to study,” she continues. “I didn't just study to make good grades. I studied to learn. I studied to know it. I thought, ‘If I get into the healthcare system, I want to excel in this. I want to offer my best.’” 

Chineme has done just that, even winning an award for a 100 percent patient satisfaction rate - 10 out of 10 reviews. 

“It's because of my heart and passion,” she says. “Everything I ever wanted was to give back to this community. I want to help people and be the reason why somebody is happy.”

Today, Chineme says she couldn’t be happier, with her career and with her family, including her son who is now 10-years-old, completely healthy, playing competitive soccer and attending a gifted and talented school.