Chiamaka Onuigbo, MD
- Assistant Professor
- General Outpatient, MHH Southwest
- Movement Disorders
Biography
Dr. Chiamaka Onuigbo is a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurologist specializing in movement disorders. She received her Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis and her Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She completed residency training at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she also pursued focus training in health equity, advocacy and policy, followed by a two-year movement disorders fellowship at UTHealth Houston.
Dr. Onuigbo’s patient care philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates medical management with education and lifestyle considerations. She is committed to improving health literacy and empowering patients and their care partners to actively participate in their care, with a focus on optimizing long-term function and quality of life. She currently partners with community organizations such as the Houston Area Parkinson Society and PMD Alliance to identify gaps in care and develop patient-centered solutions.
In her free time, she enjoys working out, dancing, playing capoeira, trying out different restaurants, and playing video games.
Education
- Medical Degree (MD)
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - Dallas, TX
- Residency
- Neurology, Emory University - Atlanta, GA
- Fellowship
- Movement Disorders, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth - Houston, TX Houston, TX
Areas of Interest
Clinical Interests
- Parkinson’s Disease and other parkinsonisms
- Tremors
- Spasticity
- Headache Disorders
- Neuropathies
- Dystonia
Research Interests
- Parkinson’s disease
- Health equity and healthcare disparities
- Community-based interventions
- Clinical outcomes research
Publications
1. Onuigbo C, Antzoulatos E, Marshburn L, Frankel M, Navalkele D. Social determinants of health screening in a stroke clinic at an urban safety net hospital: a quality improvement initiative. Equity Neuroscience. 2026;2(1):100025. doi:10.1016/j.neuros.2026.100025
2. Onuigbo C, Martinez-Lemus J, Tharp E, Schiess M. Bridging regenerative and restorative stem cell therapies in Parkinson’s disease. Cells. 2026;15(7):578. doi:10.3390/cells15070578
3. Zadegan SA, Hutchinson C, Onuigbo C, Martinez-Lemus JD, Talbot L, Metter EJ, Doursout M-F, Tharp E, Suescun J, Shahnawaz M, Ellmore TM, Schiess M, Adams C. Retrospective longitudinal analysis of blood microRNA-7-5p as a possible progression biomarker in people with Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2026;20:1784013. doi:10.3389/fnins.2026.1784013
4. Onuigbo C, Branson C. Exploring deep brain stimulation willingness in Black individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Equity Neuroscience. 2025;1(2):100012. doi:10.1016/j.neuros.2025.100012
5. Gebreyohanns M, Onuigbo CC, Ali A, Stutzman SE, Olson DM. Providing stroke and hypertension education in Amharic for Ethiopian persons living in Dallas, Texas, United States. Creative Nursing. 2020;26(1):66–73. doi:10.1891/1078-4535.26.1.66