Graduating with a doctor of nursing practice on Dec. 13, Uhunoma “Noma” Aguebor has a remarkable journey that blends resilience, dedication and a deep connection to Toledo.
Born in Nigeria and raised in Toledo, Aguebor graduated from Sylvania Southview High School before earning her bachelor of science degree in nursing from The University of Toledo in August 2019. She currently works as a staff registered nurse in the Pediatric ICU at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2025 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at fall commencement.
A person with a disability, Aguebor has been an above-the-knee amputee since age 3 due to a congenital malformation and uses a prosthetic leg. This experience has shaped her perseverance and determination, personally and professionally.
Her ties to Toledo and UToledo run deep. Watching her father graduate from UToledo with a bachelor of business administration in 2006 inspired Aguebor’s own educational journey.
“I had such a positive experience earning my B.S.N. here; it made returning for the DNP-FNP program an easy decision,” she said.
She was motivated to pursue her doctor of nursing practice after admiring many UToledo professors who held terminal degrees, aiming to provide high-quality care and patient education as a nurse practitioner.
The path to graduation, though, came with challenges.
During her DNP project, Aguebor experienced multiple project chair changes. She overcame this by working closely with Dr. Heidi Shank, an assistant professor in the College of Health and Human Services, and dedicating extra hours over the summer, ensuring Institutional Review Board approval for her project and staying on track for a December graduation.
“Dr. Shank’s guidance, understanding and encouragement were crucial to my success,” she said.
Uhunoma “Noma” Aguebor was motivated to pursue her doctor of nursing practice after admiring many UToledo professors who held terminal degrees.
“Throughout multiple program shifts and DNP EBP scholarly project adjustments, Noma remained calm, resilient and focused,” Shank said. “Her flexibility is a key quality, one that will undoubtedly propel her success as a future DNP in clinical practice. I am confident that she will guide her patients quite well through their healthcare journey.”
Through Aguebor’s DNP program, she has gained skills to translate evidence into nursing practice, preparing her to provide the best care as a family nurse practitioner. A particularly memorable experience was participating in the in-person skills sessions offered to nurse practitioner students by the School of Nursing.
Looking ahead, she said she plans to work as a nurse practitioner in a primary care setting and eventually hopes to transition into nursing leadership or education.
Aguebor’s advice to future UToledo students: “The opportunities are endless. Join student organizations, attend campus events and take advantage of everything UToledo offers you’ll meet amazing people and gain invaluable experiences.”
