COOUTH Community Surprises CMD With Birthday Celebration After Her Visit to Children With Special Needs
COOUTH CMD, Dr Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, shares joyful dance moments with hospital staff during her birthday celebration on Monday
By Titus Eleweke
The community of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has celebrated its Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, FWACS, FMCOG, FICS, with a surprise birthday celebration marked by heartfelt prayers, warm tributes and an outpouring of affection in recognition of her leadership and contributions to the hospital.
The celebration, held on Monday, transformed what began as an ordinary working day into a memorable occasion as members of the hospital management, staff, friends, institutional partners and well-wishers gathered to honour the CMD, whose dedication to healthcare delivery and institutional development has continued to inspire members of the COOUTH community.
The surprise celebration came a day after Dr Umeakuewulu marked her birthday on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with children with special needs at Divine Mercy Orphanage Home, Amawbia, in a touching demonstration of compassion, kindness and commitment to humanity.
The decision to celebrate with the children with special needs before receiving the hospital community’s own show of affection added a humanitarian dimension to the birthday, reflecting the spirit of service and concern for others that the occasion sought to celebrate.
At COOUTH, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, warmth and gratitude as colleagues and well-wishers came together to celebrate not only the CMD’s birthday but also her contributions to the medical profession, her role as a mentor and her commitment to improving the institution.
A special prayer session formed a significant part of the celebration, with members of the hospital community committing Dr Umeakuewulu into God’s hands and praying for divine protection, sound health, renewed strength, wisdom and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
The prayer session was marked by emotional moments as goodwill messages and prayers flowed freely, reflecting the affection and respect she enjoys among colleagues, associates and other members of the hospital community.
The celebration subsequently extended to various departments of the hospital, where staff members joined in honouring their Chief Medical Director.
The visits provided opportunities for warm exchanges, photographs, laughter and heartfelt birthday wishes, spreading the excitement and festive mood across the institution.
Friends and institutional partners also joined in making the occasion memorable, underscoring the relationships and goodwill COOUTH continues to build with its stakeholders. Among those who visited was Fidelity Bank, whose presence added to the warmth and significance of the celebration.
For members of the hospital community, the occasion offered an opportunity to express appreciation for Dr Umeakuewulu’s leadership and acknowledge the dedication, sacrifices and responsibilities associated with managing a major healthcare institution.
Since assuming office seven months ago, the CMD has continued to pursue improvements in hospital infrastructure, service delivery, medical equipment, staff welfare and digital transformation.
The ongoing renovation of critical hospital facilities, improvements in emergency services and efforts to establish a more technology-driven healthcare system reflect her administration’s commitment to improving patient care and creating a better hospital experience for patients, staff and other service users.
These initiatives formed part of the broader context of the celebration, as staff members used the occasion to recognise the demands of leadership and the efforts involved in steering the institution towards improved healthcare delivery.
The surprise birthday celebration also provided members of the COOUTH family with an opportunity to take a break from their daily responsibilities and celebrate their leader in an atmosphere of unity, friendship and shared appreciation.
Throughout the gathering, the mood reflected the importance of human relationships, service and the influence of leadership in building a united workforce.
The participation of management, staff, friends and institutional partners demonstrated the goodwill surrounding the CMD and the shared sense of belonging within the hospital community.
For Dr Umeakuewulu, the outpouring of affection was a heartwarming reminder that her birthday was more than a personal milestone; it had become a shared celebration involving the people she works with and the wider network of friends and partners connected to the hospital’s development.
As birthday wishes continued to pour in, members of the COOUTH community expressed hope that the new year of her life would bring greater wisdom, sound health, fulfilment and more remarkable achievements in the service of humanity.
The celebration ended as a memorable expression of love, appreciation and solidarity, bringing together a hospital family to honour its Chief Medical Director and wish her continued strength and success in her leadership of the institution.
