Alumni Profile: Tonychris Nnaka, Policy Advisor to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson

Monday, Mar 15, 2021

Philanthropist. Bedside Nurse. PhD student. Leader. Those are just a few ways to describe Tonychris Nnaka since he graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Nnaka knew from a young age that he would go into medicine, after watching the heartbreaking passing of his sister in Nigeria, due to a waterborne illness. “The feeling of being powerless as a kid, holding her hand when she was sick, made me decide that whatever I do when I got older would be about making sure that I can do something for other sick people,” shared Nnaka. Even then, at age 8, he became involved with a religious organization in Nigeria that would volunteer to help in prisons and orphanages. He moved to the U.S. when he was 17 to study.

“UTA was my first choice, it was where I wanted to go. I went to orientation and preview days, spoke to many people in the College, and knew there was no better match. After applying, I got a full scholarship, everything just felt right,” said Nnaka. He also realized in his career exploration that nursing was the right choice for him.

During his time at UTA, Nnaka was actively involved in the College. He was an orientation leader, a student leader, and a resident assistant throughout his time on campus. A very focused student, he was also in the honors college, and his mentor from the program has become his lifelong mentor.

Nnaka graduated with honors in May of 2015 from the College of Nursing and Health Innovation with his bachelor’s in nursing and went on to work at Baylor University Medical Center. It was then that he also began saving for the elementary school that he would eventually establish in Nigeria. The school now has over 200 students and he plans to one day expand into a high school.

He has since received a dual master’s in epidemiology and environmental and occupational health science from The University of North Texas Health Science Center and is currently a PhD student in nursing with a concentration in health economics and policy at The University of Texas at Austin. Recently while with Parkland Health & Hospital System, he worked bedside taking care of COVID-19 patients and within months promoted to the role of Associate Manager of Tactical Care Unit – a unit dedicated to caring for critically ill COVID-19 patients.  Currently, he has begun a new role as a policy advisor to City of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

“I love nursing. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It has given me multiple options in life and has given me the opportunity not to just work but gain real-life experiences that I take with me into every new role,” said Nnaka.