Shuffling medical, entertainment worlds helps my mental health

By Christy Anyanwu

Dr Kamsey Elfreda Nwoko is a medical doctor, lifestyle influencer and actress. She is known for her vibrant personality and fashion, particularly in Nollywood circles. She is a self-described “Leo Queen” who merges a professional medical career with a strong social media presence and passion for Igbo culture. Aside medicine, she is a content creator. She often shares fashion, beauty and lifestyle content on social media. At the recent Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), she stepped out in a vibrant, eye-popping regal outfit. She also spoke with Sunday Sun. 

You are a medical doctor, but you look more like someone in the entertainment Industry. Has anyone told you that before?

Yes, people do and that’s because I’m partly in the entertainment industry. I have influenced for some brands in the past and acted a few movies 

You started in Microbiology and went to medicine. Why the shift?

It wasn’t really a shift. I always wanted medicine and when I got it I decided to complete Microbiology and get the degree whilst still pursuing Medicine.

Does your growing up have to do with your choice of career?

Yes actually. During career days in nursery and primary school, my parents would always dress me as a Doctor or a Nurse and then I loved the cute little white coat or nurse gown with the red and blue biro, and it also happened to be that I was good in the Sciences. So when the time came for me to choose in secondary school I knew I wanted to be a doctor. 

Tell us about your growing up. Where? And what are the memories you still can’t forget about those childhood days?

I grew up mostly in Lagos and Anambra states, and Abuja because my dad travelled a lot and worked in these places. One of my favourite memories growing up is after Sunday service, like every Sunday, my dad would always buy me a treat so that way I always looked forward to Sundays. 

And when all my older brothers were back from boarding school. I love when everyone just sits out, gist and laugh. Those were good times I can never forget 

Who influenced you more while growing up? Your mum or dad?

I can’t pick one because my both parents had their individual roles in my life that made a positive impact and shaped the woman I am today.

My mum is my best friend. She’s the sweetest, selfless and kindest person I’ve ever known and my dad’s love is eternal . He would never let me lack anything.

So both parents had their roles in my life that influenced my growth positively 

What are the lessons you have learnt about life?

The lessons I’ve learnt about life is to never give up on anything I’ve set my mind to do. No matter the hiccups, background noises, distractions or negativity, I shove all that in the box, lock it up and then chase my dreams till I finally get what I want. And when it gets tough and I fail or fall I cry and then I stand up, wipe my tears and continue. It might be easy said than done, it might be hard, but it’s definitely doable. 

You look so glamorous at AMVCA 2026. What’s your definition of style?

Thank you. My definition of style is a unique manner of expression or representation of a person’s true self.

What’s your kind of style?

I would say that my kind of style would be a chic, elegant and well fitted neutral colour fits. 

Never been a bold colour type of lady.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

So, medical school and being a doctor now has never really given me an opportunity to have a holiday destination because there isn’t always time for that.

But if I were to choose a preferred holiday destination, I would choose the Maldives because it just looks really pretty and peaceful.

What are your likes and dislikes?

I hate bullies, dishonest and mean people. I like to sing. I like really cool and nice people 

What’s your favourite food?

My favourite food is French fries and ketchup. And also yam – any type of yam.

Where are you practising as a medical doctor? And what area do you specialise in? 

I never disclose where I practise. Because I once did it, and it was really so unprofessional because so many people who knew me or who saw me from social media would just come to the hospital just for the sake of seeing me. And they’d always ask at the desk that they were looking for me. It was very distracting, and my MD didn’t like it, so I never really disclose where I work in public because it’s my personal stuff. I’m a general practitioner.

I’m hoping to write my residency programme next year and I’m hoping to specialise in surgery. 

How did you get the time to shoot movies and how do you intend to keep the two careers? 

I’ve only been in about five movies or six movies and that was like 2023-2024. Just once in a while, like if I have free time or when I’m on leave. And besides, movies are like three-day shoots, like during the weekend. So it’s not as if something you have to put a whole lot of time into.

It’s not like you have a whole week. Sometimes you have like three-day shoots and your own scenes can be like two-day scenes or one-day scenes,  so it doesn’t take a lot of time for me. So I don’t shoot all the time and I’ve not been getting a lot of roles too because people are just like, oh you’re a doctor, why do you want to act? And that pisses me off sometimes and I just tell them, you know what, if you don’t want to give me a role, that’s fine. It’s not a do-or-die affair. 

How do you combine your medical duties with entertainment, acting, influencing?

I’ve been an influencer since 2019. I’ve been an influencer for some companies. That didn’t take much of my time because it’s not a permanent job. It’s a once-in-a-while thing. You go through the weekends, you do your shoots, you go back to what you’re doing, it doesn’t take time for me and I feel like shuffling both of them helps my mental health really because medicine takes a lot from me. I feel like doctors should go for therapy sometimes because it helps me balance my life so as not to be depressed or be stuck on one thing.