Researcher Spotlight: Onyinye Iheaku

What is your professional background? 
I completed medical school at the University of Nigeria and worked clinically in the Nigerian public sector for two years, after which, I transitioned to the US and completed my residency in family medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. I joined the Division of Hospital Medicine in 2018 and currently practice at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?  
I work in the Division of Hospital Medicine. I have many research mentors, but if I had to single someone out, it would be Dr. Hasan Shabbir. Through his mentorship and support, I learned about the CROSS Collaborative. CROSS is a multidisciplinary research team that initially formed to study the characteristics, outcomes, and social determinants of health related to patients readmitted with COVID-19 to eight Emory-affiliated hospitals. As part of this collaborative, I had the opportunity to co-lead the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Study and present our findings at the 2021 DOM Research Day. I was elated to learn that our team won the award for Best Oral Presentation in the Clinical/Health Services Research category.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?  
We conducted a survey looking at vaccine hesitancy amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) across four different healthcare systems in metro Atlanta, including Emory, Grady, Kaiser Permanente, and Morehouse. Our study revealed that the factors most associated with vaccine hesitancy include younger age, lower educational level, HCWs with a previous diagnosis of COVID, and non-Hispanic ethnicity. Decreasing vaccine hesitancy amongst HCWs is imperative to decreasing overall vaccine hesitancy in the community. Our work will help with targeting future educational and policy interventions more effectively.

What do you like most about Emory?  
The opportunity for continuous growth and multidisciplinary collaboration, the emphasis on quality, and the relaxed and accepting workplace culture.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?  
“Pretty Woman” (never gets old for me).

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Get in some extra Zzzzz’s and spend quality time with my friends and family.

What is a fun fact about you? 
I make the meanest Jollof rice in Atlanta.