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And the nomination, please... Don't miss your chance to nominate a deserving alumnus for our 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Photo: Diane Sm u t n y As a recipient of multiple degrees at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Nyako worked for a short time in the Chicago area before moving 30 years ago to Tampa, Fla. There, he contributed greatly to the maturation of the neurology field, bringing needed diagnostic equipment and services at a time when both were few and far between. pain from injuries resulting from industrial as well as motor vehicle accidents." By the time Nyako retired in December 2002, neurological services were fully modernized and readily available in the Tampa Bay area, he says, "there's no question about that. People said our building was too far from the hospitals, and there were no other clinics on Waters Avenue, and I said, 'We shall see.' Today, there are many clinics all along Waters Avenue. The growth was quite phenomenal." Nyako says that beyond providing the medical and neurological services, he also had to learn the business side of medical practice. "They don't teach you about that in medical school, so you get out there and get your feet wet and learn from other physicians and institutions." All the while, he dreamed of returning to Ghana, hoping to improve the neurological diagnostic and treatment infrastructure there, as well. Since his move to Ghana in 2002, he has met with a dizzying wall of red tape in his "retirement." Even today, electricity and telephone service are unreliable in Ghana. He says he had no phone service from mid-April to Christmastime last year. Yet today the Ghana Neurological Foundation offers rare treatment for neurological disease and other medical conditions, minor surgery and neurological testing, such as EEG, EMG and nerve conduction studies, and physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Patients come from across West Africa, including Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroon, Togo, Liberia and Sierra Leone. "In the health care field in Ghana, neurological disorders are largely ignored," he told the White Coat Ceremony audience last summer. "The work and the road ahead are difficult, but we can succeed with the help of the people of Ghana and people like you who aspire to make this world a healthier place to live." University of Illinois College of Medicine alumni make amazing things happen in the world. Our alumni help build healthier communities, provide world-class health care and save countless lives. Their achievements demonstrate the dynamic excellence of a University of Illinois College of Medicine education and the importance of service in the medical world. Established in the early 1960s, this award honors our medical alumni for outstanding contributions and exceptional service to the medical profession, the community, the College of Medicine and/or the university. All College of Medicine alumni, faculty, staff and students are welcome to nominate. Our 2013 award recipient will be recognized at the University of Illinois College of Medicine 2013 Reunion Dinner on Oct. 4, 2013. For more information about past recipients and award criteria or to submit your nomination online, please visit us at www.medicine.uic.edu/reunion. For further information, please call us at (312) 355-1171. Deadline for nominations: Sept. 1, 2013 illinois medicine illinois medicine | | 35 5