Adewunmi Nuga receives MLK Jr Community Service Award
Congratulations to Dr. Adewunmi Nuga, clinical instructor (General Internal Medicine), a 2025 recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr Community Service Award.
Nuga champions EDI efforts and challenges our primary care clinics to embrace diversity and inclusion. Under her co-leadership, the clinics have implemented inclusive spaces and practices.
The Martin Luther King, Jr Community Service award honors individuals or groups who exemplify Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles through creating an environment and community where individuals can empower themselves; a commitment to addressing community needs, particularly communities of color and low income; development, support and implementation of programs to improve the human condition; and protecting and empowering all individuals.
Comments from her nomination:
Dr. Ade Nuga first joined UW Medicine Primary Care (UWMPC) at the end of 2021. Within her first few weeks of seeing patients, a family shared that she had called them after hours to see how their baby was doing (she had seen the baby earlier as a same day appointment). They were a young couple and first time parents, and were so grateful for Dr. Nuga’s care and empathy as a provider. This was my first impression and one that set the tone for what Dr. Nuga would (and continues to) bring to UWMPC.
In 2023, Dr. Nuga became the physician lead and co-chair for Primary Care’s EDI committee. She approaches each discussion with great care and compassion and encourages us all to push past our comfort zones. She gracefully challenges us to consider history while fostering an environment of honest reflection, growth, unity, and hope for the present and future.
Dr. Nuga’s dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion extends past UW and into the community. Earlier this year, despite having prior engagements, Dr. Nuga showed up to a community event that advocated for BIPOC families to explore the outdoors. She effortlessly and joyfully connected with the community.
She has also supported and uplifted the community at multiple Kirkland Health & Wellness Fairs and Seattle’s Doctor for a Day, designed to inspire and encourage students of color to pursue careers in healthcare.
Dr. Nuga is mindful and committed at every level, from the artwork displayed in clinic to the team members that support and care for our diverse population. She not only exemplifies MLK’s principles but inspires us all to do the same.
Dr. Ade Nuga is the Provider Lead for UWMPC’s EDI efforts. In this role, she co-leads a monthly EDI committee that brings together members of UWMPC’s network. As a white woman, I have greatly appreciated Dr. Nuga’s approach to EDI efforts, which feel wholly inclusive and designed to truly foster a learning environment regardless of where anyone is on their EDI learning journey.
I have also had discussions with Dr. Nuga about her practice philosophy, and it is so obvious how she integrates inclusive care into each patient she encounters. She has also been a proponent on how we can better integrate EDI questions into our provider interviews, bringing an improved approach where there are not specific “EDI Questions” but rather an approach that better evaluates a provider’s commitment to serving vulnerable populations through incorporating EDI values into our whole interview.
As a colleague of Dr. Nuga, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand her unwavering commitment to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment, alongside her exceptional patient care and leadership skills.
From the onset of her career as an attending physician, Dr. Nuga has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead with compassion and integrity. Her dedication to creating a more inclusive workplace has been evident through her active involvement in various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and equity. She has not only participated in these efforts but has also taken on leadership roles to drive meaningful change, influencing both policy and culture within our organization.
Dr. Nuga’s commitment to patient care is equally commendable. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her patients receive the highest standard of care, approaching each case with empathy, professionalism, and a deep sense of responsibility. Her patients frequently express their gratitude for her attentive and compassionate nature, highlighting her ability to make them feel valued and understood.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Nuga is a wonderful colleague and friend. She fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, always willing to lend a listening ear or offer guidance. Her positive attitude and genuine care for others make her an invaluable member of our team.