Meet Dr. Nneamaka “Amaka” Nwubah
Learn About This Accomplished Plastic Surgeon at Maxwell Aesthetics in Nashville, TN
Compassionate. Meticulous. Dedicated. Genuine. These are just some of the words used to describe Dr. Nneamaka Nwubah—who goes by “Dr. Amaka— ” a board-certified plastic surgeon at Maxwell Aesthetics in Nashville, TN. Not all plastic surgeons complete an aesthetic fellowship. Fewer still are trained by recognized giants in the specialty. Dr. Amaka has done both.
As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Amaka blends a surgeon’s skill with a woman’s perspective. She strives to ensure that her patients are listened to with the utmost attention and respect, and are treated as though they were members of Dr. Amaka’s own family. She sees being a plastic surgeon as a true privilege and takes each patient’s care seriously and with the utmost respect.


Request a consultation with Dr. Amaka at Maxwell Aesthetics in Nashville, TN. Call 615.932.7700.
Dr. Amaka considers it an honor to help people to be the best version of themselves—one of the most exciting aspects of her profession. Her philosophy as a provider is to produce high quality results with attention to detail, compassion, and safety. She utilizes advanced techniques and combines that with her technical expertise, an artistic eye, and compassionate care. She looks forward to meeting you and helping you achieve a beautiful result that is individualized to your goals and needs.
“One of the most unique and exciting aspects of being a plastic surgeon is the impact the work I do has on people. The opportunity to be a part of a patient’s journey, whether it be their weight loss journey, or their journey to be the best version of themselves, is amazing. Also, plastic surgery is a field that celebrates individuals and their unique nature. There are so many ways to go about achieving a goal or outcome that is individualized to the patient,” Dr. Amaka said. “Plastic surgery should be subtle but impactful. It should be beautiful, and yet natural. My goal is to attain natural looking results, but without obvious signs of surgery.”
Early Love of Medicine
From a young age, Dr. Amaka discovered her fascination with medicine, exposed to its wonders by her father, a pharmacist, and her mother, a nurse. Born and raised in New Orleans as the youngest of five children, Dr. Amaka felt her intrigue further ignited by the medical missions in which she participated to her parents’ native land of Nigeria. The core values they instilled within her—compassion, hard work, and excellence—gave her the grit and determination she drew upon to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
Academic Career and Training
After graduating from Louisiana State University with highest honors, double majoring in biology and Spanish, Dr. Amaka went on to attend Vanderbilt University for medical school and was awarded a merit scholarship. It was during her third year of medical school at Vanderbilt University, while working the plastic surgery rotation, that she experienced the electrifying thrill of finding her calling. “I loved the challenge and the reverse engineering it involved—plastic surgeons know what they want to achieve for a patient, and they then use their artistry and surgical skills to figure out how to do it,” Dr. Amaka said. “To me, it was the perfect specialty, and from that point on, I could not imagine myself doing anything else. For me, it was the obvious choice.” She excelled academically at Vanderbilt, and this, combined with her innovative spirit and research interests, led her to be selected for the highly competitive Clinical Research Training Program at the National Institutes of Health. During this one-year program, she was trained in the successful execution of research by notable leaders in the field.
After medical school, she was selected for a highly competitive integrated plastic surgery position at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. This six-year intensive training provided her with well-rounded, broad-based training and skills to perform all aspects of plastic surgery. While successfully completing this rigorous plastic surgery training program, she continued to pursue her research interests. Her stellar achievement and academic record led her to be awarded two grants from the Plastic Surgery Foundation for research she pioneered on a non-contact device to measure blood flow in skin flaps.
Following residency, she applied for and was one of a few of the graduating plastic surgeons to be selected for an aesthetic surgery fellowship. During this additional year of training, she further perfected and refined her skills, proficiency, and technique in aesthetic surgery of the face, body, and breast. Working with renowned leaders and “giants” in aesthetic surgery at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas, she received the training and experience to be the best at what she does and deliver this same high quality and attention to detail to her patients.
RealSelf Patient Reviews of Amaka Nwubah, MD
Throughout her academic career and training, she has authored more than 60 publications and presentations, at the national and international level. For Dr. Amaka, plastic surgery is not just about being a technician. It is about integrating technical skills with the latest and most effective techniques, innovation, and research to effectively take part in a patient’s life on their journey of self-improvement and restoration.
Fellowship Trained
Dr. Amaka is one of the few plastic surgeons in the United States who has had additional, specialized training in aesthetic surgery. During her yearlong fellowship at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX, she further perfected and refined her skills, proficiency, and technique in aesthetic surgery of the face, body, and breast. She also spent time visiting innovators in the field to attain additional experience and training in surgical techniques and new technology. Working with renowned leaders and “giants” in aesthetic surgery, she received the training and experience to be the best at what she does and deliver this same high quality and attention to detail to her patients.
Research Pioneer
Dr. Amaka has published and presented more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters. She has lectured both nationally and internationally, presenting on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. As a fellow, she was awarded the Gaspar Anastasi award for the best resident and fellow presentation at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. While completing rigorous plastic surgery training, she was awarded two grants from the Plastic Surgery Foundation for research she pioneered on a non-contact device to measure blood flow in skin flaps. Dr. Amaka has been selected to be a peer reviewer for articles for several prestigious journals, including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—Global Open, and PLOS One.
Dr. Amaka has had world-class training and mentorship. This provided her with the solid foundation to perform research. Her goal is to contribute to plastic surgery as a field and on a broader scale. Dr. Amaka is constantly seeking ways to improve and is a walking example of the adage “never stop learning.”
Languages Spoken
Dr. Amaka speaks English and Spanish. Nosotros hablamos espanol!
More About Dr. Amaka
Dr. Amaka is an avid chef and writer, and enjoys cooking and writing in her spare time. She enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and daughter.
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Hospital Privileges
Dr. Amaka has privileges at the following hospitals:
St. Thomas Midtown Hospital
St. Thomas West Hospital
Centennial Hospital
Summit Hospital
Skyline Hospital
Dr. Amaka Credentials
Education/Training
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA Bachelor of Sciences with Honors
2003-2007
Majors: Biological Sciences, Spanish Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA MD
2007-2012
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD Clinical Research Training Program
2010-2011
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency
2012-2018
Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery, Houston, TX Aesthetic Fellowship
2018-2019
Experience and Professional Memberships
1999-2003
Research Associate, Agricultural Bioengineering, United States Department of
Agriculture, New Orleans, LA
2003-2007
Research Associate, Molecular Genetics, Baton Rouge, LA
2007-2010
Research Associate, Genetic Basis of Arrhythmias, Nashville, TN
2007-2012
Member, American Medical Student Association
2007-2012
Member, Student National Medical Association
2007-2012
MCAT and DAT instructor, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions
2007-2011
Clinic Coordinator (2007-2008), Patient Health Educator (2008-2009), Interpreter
(2007-2011), Shade Tree Clinic, Nashville, TN
2008-2011
Nashville Birthing Project
2010-2011
National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Training Program, Research Fellow
2011-present
Special Volunteer, NIH, Bethesda, MD
2010-2012
Interest Group Chair, Careers in Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine
2012-present
American Medical Association, Member
2012-present
American Society of Plastic Surgery, Resident subscriber
2013-present
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Resident subscriber
2015-2016
University of Kentucky Graduate Medical Education House Staff
Representative
2012-2018
Lexington Medical Society, Member
2016-2018
American Society of Plastic Surgery Legislative Advocacy Committee
2016-present
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open Peer Reviewer
2016-present
PLoS ONE Peer Reviewer
2018-present
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal Peer Reviewer
2018-present
American Society of Plastic Surgery Researcher Education Subcommittee
2018-present
American Society of Plastic Surgery Women Plastic Surgeons Steering Committee
Honors and Awards
2002
International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist
2003-2007
Honors College, Louisiana State University
2005
Barry Goldwater Scholar Award
2007
LSU Medalist (given to graduates with perfect GPA on course studies)
2007-2012
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Merit Scholarship
200
Molecular Foundations of Medicine Double Helix Society
2008
American Heart Association Fellowship Award
2010
NIH Research Fellowship Award
2015
Recipient, PSF National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Grant
2016
University of Kentucky Resident Teaching Award for Excellence in Medical Student
Education
2017
University of Kentucky Resident Teaching Award for Excellence in Medical Student
Education
2017
Recipient, PSF National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Grant
2017
Kentucky Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2nd place presentation
2018
Lexington Medical Society Essay Contest, 1st place
2017, 2018
ASERF/ASAPS Resident Travel Scholarship Recipient