About us
Our Board Members
Empowering rural communities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives through accessible and comprehensive health promotion linkage services.
Ijeoma Nneka Nwankwo, MPH
Executive Director
Executive Director
Mrs. Ijeoma Nneka Nwankwo is a seasoned professional in the field of public health, with a focus on epidemiology and social services. Holding a master's degree in public health with Concentration in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois, USA, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as the Executive Director of the Abby Cares Foundation, a CAC registered NGO based in Nigeria. With over 20 years of dedicated service in the field, Mrs. Nwankwo has honed her expertise in various areas, including maternal and child health services. Her extensive career includes 7 years with Catholic Charities of Chicago, a prominent member of Caritas International, one of the largest NGOs globally. She also served as an employee council member where she took on a leadership role in creating agency policies to foster positive and safe working environment for the employees. Mrs. Nwankwo is highly certified, having undergone specialized training with certifications in Child and Adolescent Needs Assessment, Psychological First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, and Pandemic Response. Her commitment to excellence and continuous learning is evident in her partnerships and collaborations with renowned institutions and organizations such as Aunt Martha’s Youth Services, Maryville Academy, UCAN Chicago, and the Illinois Department of Family and Children Services. Driven by her passion for improving healthcare accessibility and quality, Mrs. Nwankwo remains dedicated to making a positive impact in communities, both locally and globally. Her leadership at the Abby Cares Foundation reflects her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes and her relentless pursuit of sustainable solutions for social welfare and healthcare challenges.
Dr. Promise Chidi, M.D
Board Member
Board Member
Dr. Promise Chidi is a distinguished physician with a robust background in emergency and family medicine. He completed his Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Baptist Health in Birmingham, Alabama, and his Family Medicine Residency at Midtown Medical Center, Piedmont-Columbus Regional Health in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Chidi earned his Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the State University of New York College at Old Westbury. Dr. Chidi is licensed to practice in Georgia, Texas, and Alabama and is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. His certifications include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). With extensive experience as a hospitalist, Dr. Chidi has served at Piedmont Columbus Regional and St. Francis Hospital Emory Healthcare, where he has taken on leadership roles such as chairing the Rapid Response Improvement Team and participating in various committees. His commitment to community health is evident through his volunteer work during Hurricane Irma and his involvement in mobile health outreach programs in Georgia. Through the collaboration with The Routine Health Foundation which he founded and Abby Cares Foundation, Dr. Chidi has dedicated himself to providing routine medical screenings, medications, and follow-up care to underserved populations in Eastern Nigeria. His humanitarian efforts extend internationally, having volunteered in Liberia to provide free healthcare services. With a career marked by leadership, community service, and clinical excellence, Dr. Promise Chidi continues to impact the medical field positively.
Melissa N. Nwokorie, RN, BSN
Board Member
Board Member