About Us
About our Founders
Dr. Ezinne Nwude and Dr. Ugo Nwude have made an indelible impact on the health and well-being of El Dorado and the wider South Arkansas community.
Since opening their first clinic in 2015, they have pursued a clear vision: accessible, high‑quality healthcare for everyone. That commitment has grown into Gold Cross Urgent Care and two Gold Cross Family Clinics that together serve thousands of patients each year.
Beyond clinical care, the Nwudes have become integral members of El Dorado—raising their three daughters and son here and taking active leadership roles in the community.
The couple first met through a mutual friend in 2007 while Dr. Ugo was training in Ireland as an orthopedic and trauma surgeon; he completed three years of training and passed the Royal College of Surgeons certifying exam.
Their professional excellence and deep local roots continue to strengthen healthcare access and community life across South Arkansas.
Ugo Nwude
MD, MRCS, FAAFP, MBA
Ezinne Nwude
MD, MPH, FACFP, MBA
“Our mission has always been to advance healthcare within our community. We continuously look for ways to meet the evolving
needs of our patients.”
Dr. Ezinne was in residency at UAMS Fayetteville and was being intensely recruited to practice in El Dorado. The couple visited El Dorado for a town hall meeting. In 2014, Dr. Ezinne accepted a position as hospitalist for Medical Center of South Arkansas where she would become Chief of Staff and recognized as Physician of the Year and other honors during her tenure.
Dr. Ugo was surprised to notice the community did not have an urgent care clinic. His research convinced him of the need. He became driven to take on the project. In 2015, Gold Cross Urgent Care, the first urgent care clinic in a 60-mile area, opened. This further invested the Nwude’s in Union County.
They have now expanded into Gold Cross Family Clinic in Junction City, which was without a family medicine clinic after the long-standing physician relocated out of the community. In 2021, the Nwude’s purchased Dr. Harper's practice and opened Gold Cross Family Clinic on Oak Street in El Dorado.
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