Iowa Board of Medicine Denies Dr. Odinaka Nwankwo Medical License

The Iowa Board of Medicine denied a medical license application from Dr. Odinaka Nwankwo, a Nigerian physician. The board based its decision on Nwankwo's failure to pass the third step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination and her failure to complete two years of acceptable postgraduate residency.

Nwankwo argued that her professional experience in Puerto Rico and other federal facilities should be recognized as valid training. However, the board ruled that it possesses no authority to circumvent statutory requirements for licensure.

This decision follows a contentious employment history. Nwankwo worked at the Iowa City Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center from January 2021 until her termination in December 2022. She is now pursuing a civil rights lawsuit against the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, alleging employment discrimination and harassment and seeking more than $100 million in damages.

The VA has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that Nwankwo was terminated as a probationary employee. A trial for the civil rights lawsuit is scheduled for June 21, 2027.