Dr. Charles Obiaja, MD

Dr Charles Obiaja, MD, is a board-certified family physician with extensive experience in the field of substance use disorders. He has a passion for substance abuse recovery employing a patient-centered care model. This health care model attempts to approach patients as whole people with different life experiences, encourages shared decision- making and fosters a therapeutic alliance.

Dr Charles Obiaja’s recovery journey and his personal experience with substance use disorders have granted him invaluable insights into this poorly understood, potentially devastating human condition, the commitment need recover and the benefits that a life of recovery has to offer.

Academic Journey: Dr Charles Obiaja went to medical school at the Superior Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Havana, Cuba where he graduated in the top 5 in his year. He later completed his residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Selma Family Medicine program. He was the first physician to be awarded the Donald Overstreet Living Memorial Award for Best Resident.

Professional experience: Dr Charles Obiaja has practiced medicine in various settings in his 24-year career including 5 years of hospital and primary care medicine in Jamaica and 8 years of primary care, nursing home and hospital medicine in several rural communities in North Carolina. For approximately 7 years he practiced medicine for the State of North Carolina as a medical provider at R. J. Blackley Alcohol and Drug abuse treatment center managing the medically complicated patients undergoing substance abuse detoxification. He underwent training in the use of MAT/MOUD and later worked at North Carolina’s largest Psychiatric Facility, Central Regional Hospital in Butner, managing the medical complications of psychiatric medications, supervising nurse practitioners and training psychiatric residents.

Professional Philosophy: Dr Charles Obiaja will humbly listen, empathize and try to understand the personal struggles of his patients with the ultimate goal of fostering a therapeutic relationship conducive the goals of the individual.