FOUNDER & PRESIDENT,  DR. EMILIAN EMEAGWALI

“The greatest good is what we do for others.” 

~ Mother Teresa

Dr. Emilian Emeagwali’s journey is defined by compassion, purpose, and an unyielding commitment to uplifting the underserved. Born and raised in Onitsha, Nigeria, her calling to medicine was shaped by the example of her philanthropic parents, the late Margaret and Vincent Onochie, whose legacy of giving became her guiding light.

After completing her undergraduate studies in Nigeria, she joined her husband, Hon. Patrick Emeagwali, in the United States in 1992 to pursue her career and humanitarian dream. There, she followed an impressive academic path, earning an A.A.S with honors in Physical Therapy from LaGuardia Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brooklyn College. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Stony Brook University in 2006 and went on to establish State of the Art Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, P.C. in Valley Stream, New York, a practice built on radical inclusivity, where care is offered without regard for financial or insurance status.

Her medical mission took a deeper turn in 2009 after a return visit to Nigeria exposed her to the realities of extreme poverty. Moved by the lack of access to clean water, food, clothing, and education, she founded Giving Back to Community Corp., a nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity through basic
resources and empowering communities through education.

A proud mother of five beautiful children, Dr. Emilian balances her roles as caregiver, entrepreneur, and advocate with unwavering grace. She is a force for equity and a fierce believer in the potential of every child, regardless of circumstance. As communities around the world continue to grapple with the aftermath of COVID-19, she reminds us that now more than ever, we must answer the call to act, to serve, and to give back.