Medicine in Service of Community: PAMED’s Community Voluntary Service Award

Ada-Nkem Emuwa, MD, MPH, recipient of PAMED’s 2025 Community Voluntary Service Award, is a physician whose impact reaches far beyond the clinic walls. A Yale-trained doctor with a master’s in public health from Harvard, Dr. Emuwa has built a career rooted in advocacy, equity, and service.

Her journey has taken her from leading HIV programs and public health initiatives to her current role at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, where she continues to champion patient-centered care.

Her commitment to underserved communities is evident in every facet of her work. Whether serving on the Board of Directors for the Community Health Council of Lebanon County or co-leading The Wheel of Hope Initiative, Dr. Emuwa designs programs that uplift women and children through education, health care, and economic opportunity. She also volunteers with Patients R Waiting, an initiative focused on increasing minority representation in medicine and provides free mental health care through The Network Initiative.

“This award is humbling recognition,” Dr. Emuwa shared. “To be honored by my peers is deeply meaningful—and it motivates me to keep doing what I can from where I am.” Her dedication to public health, diversity, and community empowerment makes her a truly inspiring figure in Pennsylvania’s medical landscape.