Semmelweis University has highlighted the inspiring story of Dr. Okeke Chuke Stephen, a 1972 graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, who returned to Budapest for the 2025 International Alumni Meeting. Born in Nigeria, Dr. Stephen first arrived in Hungary in 1965 on a Trade Union Scholarship, which he describes as “divine providence.”
During his years at Semmelweis, he overcame the challenge of studying in Hungarian and competing alongside native students, eventually graduating as a surgeon and traumatologist. Reflecting on his career, Dr. Stephen recalled his early years working in rural Nigerian hospitals with limited resources and no access to basic X-ray equipment. Despite the difficulties, he managed trauma cases independently and later advanced to a specialist hospital, where he could practice full trauma management.
Now retired, he considers his proudest achievement to be passing on his surgical expertise to younger doctors and encouraging them to face challenges with discipline and courage. His message to medical students remains clear: a career in medicine requires skill, perseverance, and faith.
Source: Semmelweis University
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