Hope in Every Heartbeat: The Inspiring Journey of Dr. Omonigho Ekhomu

Dr. Omonigho Ekhomu’s journey into pediatric cardiology began long before she entered medical school.

As a teenager on a six-week pre-medical summer program in Virginia, she found herself captivated by a lecture from Dr. Arthur T. Garson Jr., a renowned pediatric cardiologist and then Dean of the University of Virginia.

He spoke about congenital heart defects, specifically tetralogy of Fallot, with such passion and clarity that it left a lasting impression.

In that moment, Omonigho not only fell in love with the idea of medicine but found her calling in pediatric cardiology.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Ekhomu later pursued her medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Her dedication and exceptional service earned her recognition during her time there.

She continued her training with a pediatrics residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where her commitment to underserved populations deepened.

Her heart, however, always remained tied to global health.

Following her residency, she returned to Nigeria for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), where her leadership and service earned her state-level awards.

During this period, she collaborated with pediatric cardiologists and took on the role of Medical Director for Slum2School, organizing multiple medical outreaches in under-resourced communities. These experiences cemented her belief in the power of accessible healthcare and the impact of compassionate leadership.

In 2017, Dr. Ekhomu began her pediatric cardiology fellowship, which included an 18-month research stint at the prestigious Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

She completed her clinical training at Rush University Medical Center in 2019, and then returned to CHOP to work in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, managing critically ill pediatric heart patients.

It was during this time that she joined Hospitals for Humanity (HFH), volunteering for her first pediatric cardiac surgical mission.

She has since become HFH’s Global Development Clinician, coordinating the organization’s clinical, research, and development efforts.

One of her proudest contributions has been organizing and executing pediatric cardiac surgery missions in Nigeria—efforts that have, over the last decade, changed more than 200 young lives.

“Words are barely enough,” she reflects. “The transformation we see, from critically ill children to thriving ones—is nothing short of miraculous. It’s a privilege to witness it.”

With a goal to increase HFH’s surgical output to 150 procedures annually, Dr. Ekhomu brings her clinical expertise and organizational skill to every mission, drawing lessons from past experiences while tailoring plans to the unique challenges of each location.

She credits much of her development to her mentor, Dr. Wale Olabiyi, Director of Pediatric Cardiology at HFH, whose guidance has helped shape her both professionally and personally.

Now practicing in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Ekhomu continues to champion preventive cardiovascular health.

She encourages habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet low in salt, fats, and sugar, and consistent adherence to medical advice.

From a Lagos childhood to global operating rooms, Dr. Ekhomu’s path is a powerful reminder of how passion, purpose, and perseverance can come together to heal hearts, one child at a time.