By IU Health Senior Journalist TJ Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org
He wears two bracelets on his wrist – one with the red, white and blue colors of the American flag. The other colors are the red, white and green of the Kenyan flag. The bracelets are beaded by hand and made by women in Kenya.
Like the American flag, the Kenyan flag symbolizes Sam Mwangi’s life journey – spanning two continents. He was born 60 years ago in Kenya. He moved to the United States to study nursing, earning a degree at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. He started his career with community care for the elderly and also medical/surgery. Seven years after becoming a registered nurse, Mwangi earned a master’s degree from Boston University.
This week, IU Health joins other healthcare systems across the country to honor the quality care provided by Nurses. Mwangi joined IU Health in 2014 and began supporting the Virtual Health and Wellness Program during the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
Through the Virtual Care program, eligible individuals can receive an annual physical in their home. The program focuses on providing face-to-face visits to access preventive health needs, along with disease prevention and control.
Mwangi virtually connects with clinicians who visit patients’ homes to provide another layer of personalized care. He receives an average of three to six patients a day from all over Central Indiana.
“This is something I have always dreamed of doing. When I was young, I fell and a piece of metal cut my knee. I had to go to the wound care clinic for three months and I enjoyed watching the nurses bandage my knee wound,” Mwangi said. It was not until he was over 30 years old that he realized that dream.
Mwangi, the third of 13 children, said: “In my hometown, healthcare is not available to everyone and only the most special thing is the university. “We come from a poor family and my mother always told us to dress well when we went to the city to look for work so that people would not pity us. She always said that I have a bright future and that I shouldn’t let my humble beginnings stop me from realizing my dreams.”
Mwangi’s parents have both passed away but he has several siblings who are still living in Kenya. He and his wife, Margaret, also from Kenya, were married 34 years ago. They have one son, two daughters, and one grandchild.
Over the past seven years, Mwangi has honored his mother by building a clinic in Nairobi named after her, “Sarah Indiana Clinic.” He and his wife return annually to oversee the construction of the site including the apartments.
“Our goal is to hire a clinic staff like a nurse and provide outpatient care. The building is self-sustaining through apartment rentals,” Mwangi said. Before his mother died, she was able to see the construction site. “I knew she would be so proud,” Mwangi said. Back in Indiana, Mwangi and his wife are active in the Kenyan community and regularly fellowship with about 150 local residents. He hopes to eventually help create a community hub for the group.
“I want to encourage people to work towards achieving their goals. I know where I come from and I know where I am and it’s time for me to give back to my people.”
