United States: Cameroonian-American, Dr Akwa-Tchoyi, breaking grounds in health sector.

Her remarkable academic journey, undertaken after 24 years as a State Registered Nurse, has proven that there is no age limit to education.

Dr Mary Akwa-Tchoyi embarked on her intensive return to academia in March 2019, a decision driven by a clear and compelling vision. 

What followed was an astonishing acquisition of multiple specialised degrees and certifications, culminating in a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. 

Her impressive roster of qualifications now includes: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Board Certified, Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certified, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, APRN, Graduate Certified Public Health Professional, Graduate Certified Tropical Medicine Professional, Psychotherapist with specialty in Cognitive and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy.

When questioned about her decision to pursue such a broad array of healthcare specialties – an accomplishment that is exceptional even in the highly specialized American medical landscape, where possessing just one of these certifications is considered a significant achievement – Dr Akwa-Tchoyi’s response was deeply philosophical and rooted in her altruistic view of life. "Life is not all about you," she stated.

The profound conviction was forged during her time in Cameroon between 2011 and 2018. 

It was during this period that she gained a critical firsthand perspective on the challenges and significant gaps within the Cameroonian healthcare system. 

The experience solidified her resolve: she vowed to return to the United States, rigorously study to acquire the comprehensive expertise she deemed necessary, and then dedicate herself to contributing meaningfully to Cameroon's health sector. 

Her unwavering passion for caring for people, she explained, was the potent force that fueled her relentless pursuit of these demanding degrees.

Dr Akwa-Tchoyi further elaborated on the rationale behind her extensive educational endeavour, emphasising the critical need for versatility. She recognized the acute shortage of healthcare specialists in Cameroon and felt an imperative to be "well-rounded" to effectively give back to her country of origin. 

Her ambition is to provide multifaceted support, addressing various dimensions of patient care and public health needs.

A proud product of Cameroon's public education system, Dr Akwa-Tchoyi credits Government High School Mamfe, MAGGSOSA, and CCAST Bambili as the foundational institutions that shaped her academic beginnings. 

The said government-funded institutions, which provided her with quality education for "little or nothing," instilled in her a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility.

For her, giving back to Cameroon is more than a duty; it is a heartfelt expression of thanks to her people and the educational bedrock laid for her. 

"Giving back will just be a way to say thank you to my people," she said, expressing a spirit of selfless service and a powerful example of the Cameroonian diaspora's potential to uplift its homeland.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3489 of Monday June 30, 2025