Photo Credit: Encanto Jewels

List of Workshops, Presentations, Speaking Engagements and Volunteer Service 

Biography 

Uzoamaka Nwankpa is a community health registered nurse with a strong passion and belief in the power of music and dance. Uzo is an educator, dance facilitator, entrepreneur,  researcher and an advocate for healing through indigenous (cultures) music and dance practices.

Originally from Enugu, Nigeria, West Africa, Uzo has infused her education with her passion for music and dance to create a project that promotes health awareness with the use of old technologies utilized by indigenous people all over the world. Wellbeing is enhanced simply by intentionally engaging the mind, body, spirit and environment in a healthy manner. Imagine a world that sing, dance and play together, that is a vision of a healthy community.

As a first generation Nigerian woman and global citizen, Uzoamaka Nwankpa  has created diverse ways to preserve her culture around the world through innovative workshops, speaking engagements, presentations and performances. She is an advocate for using the arts as a healing tool for individuals and communities.

Education 

Undergraduate: BSN- Barry University Miami, Florida

Post Graduate: MSN-PH Grand Canyon University Phoenix Arizona

Fellowship: 2015 Recipient Caroline Plummer Community Dance Fellowship University of Otago New Zealand

Courses Taught

• Community/Public Health Nursing- Samuel Merritt University School of Nursing RN to BSN Program
• PHSE 103 & 325 University of Otago School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Cardiovascular System: The process of the systems, interlinkages and disease processes through movement and dance.

• STAR Education- In charge of providing continuing educating to the NFP nurses in the Western Region (Multiple States)
• Nurse Family Partnership Program (NFP) Education- In charge of facilitating monthly nurse education modules with public health nurse staff in support of the NFP model elements
• Nurse Family Partnership Program (NFP) at Teenage Pregnancy Program TAPP- In charge of providing public health education topics to the teenage pregnancy high school in Tucson AZ

Publications and Conferences

2016 Accepted for publication chapter proposal for the edited compilation Dance and the Quality of Life.

Title: Dance in Community Health Nursing- The Maternal-Child Community Dance Research Project

2015 MSN PRACTICUM Individualistic collectivistic continuum- A lens to providing culturally appropriate community health care

2015 Moving Communities – An International Conference on Community Dance

The Maternal-Child Dance Project presentation focused on the community dance sessions phase of the project with an opportunity for conference participants to engage in movement while experiencing the process of the RICHER Model.

2013 Presenter at the Family Support Alliance: Home Visitors Conference 

Physical activity in the homes- a practical guide for home visitors

2013 United Nations Association Tucson: City of Refugee Key Note Speaker

From Surviving to Thriving- Uzo Nwankpa’s Journey from Nigeria to the U.S

2012 United Way of Southern AZ Presentation to Home Visitors 

Physical Activity in the home- A guide for home visitors

2012 University of AZ Humanities Week Presenter

The language of dance co-presenter with Dr Praise Zenenga.

2011 United Way Family Alliance Conference Presenter

Emotional Refueling for Home Visitors Dance, Music and Movement

2011 Pima Council on Ages Conference 

Presentation and demonstration on importance of movement for a healthy life demonstration for elders/ facilitator

2011Tucson Meet Yourself Traditions of Healing 

Workplace Wellness through music and movement

Mentoring 

2011-2014 Wingspan- EON Youth group –Once a month community health education called Fierce Living with Uzo

2013 Girls Scout Leadership Institute Mentor

2013 Kids Fit Life Fall Program– HAPPY organization workshop series for children and Youth promoting a healthy living

2013 Our Family Services- Workshop for youth dance music and movement promoting self awareness and esteem

2013 Tucson Youth Poetry Slam-The art of performance Workshop conducted for the youth of Tucson

Research 

2015-2016 Principal Investigator: Maternal and Child Community Dance Project -Music and Dance sessions 8 week Course Dunedin, New Zealand

2015 African Inspired Healing Community Drum and Dance workshop in Auckland, New Zealand. A qualitative pre and post survey of effects of music and dance on wellbeing

2015 African Inspired Healing Community Drum and Dance workshop in Dunedin, New Zealand. A qualitative pre and post survey of effects of music and dance on wellbeing

2015 Community dance classes to support emotional health Dunedin, New Zealand. A qualitative pre and post survey of effects of music and dance on wellbeing

2015 Maternal- Child Community Dance Project Auckland University of Technology- Centre for Child Health Research. A qualitative pre and post survey of effects of music and dance on wellbeing

2015 Research Presentation and Demonstration to Maori Midwives of Auckland.

2015 Conference presentation of the RICHER Model developed from the Maternal and Child Community Dance Research Project.  Presentation and Demonstration Moving Communities International Conference Dunedin New Zealand.

2013 The effects of an hour long group healing session on stress and energy levels with participants of the Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIRROW)-Qualitative Survey

2013 African inspired community dance classes to support emotional health-Qualitative Survey

2011-2013 Dance at Mothers Oasis- Center for emotional Wellness once a week physical activity support group for moms experiencing prenatal and postpartum mood disorders- Survey