At some point in my residency training I felt isolated and unmotivated so I began searching for support and encouragement online. During my search I came across many great women support groups locally and internationally, some for women in medicine and others as general coaching groups, but none addressed my peculiar situation, a resident doctor in Nigeria. They could not understand my unique West African residency journey, practicing medicine in Nigeria and career path I desired. I wanted more, so I decided to stop bringing my chair to these tables, built my own table with many vacant chairs and now i’m inviting ambitious, excellent driven, restless, and innovative Female Physicians with like passion.
I have always loved mentoring female medical students as a student myself and I mentored many more during my residency training. My desire is that together, as a community, we can explore, discuss and connect based on issues that surround us as women in medicine. And for those on the immigration journey, we can provide resources, guidance and support to make the process easier.
My goal is to inspire, educate, mentor and empower early career African women in medicine and to provide them tools to overcome the barriers we face, in the countries we represent, our training programs, the institutions/facilities we work, our family backgrounds, and finding our voices. I want every African female physician to know that they are not alone on this journey. They will get advice, counselling, support, scholarships and resources to make the journey easier.
Since this platform started, I have come across exceptional female physicians who have stories about their journey to their career pinnacle and how they overcame adversity. They are full of wisdom and seek opportunities to inspire and mentor the next generation. I have also encountered young restless medical students and graduates who need guidance on how to navigate the terrain of health care in their unique fields of interest and the options they can route for success. I am glad to be that bridge to both generations.
This network avails me the opportunity to combine my over 17 years as a physician, and also my heritage as the daughter of a renowned physician, a wife of a surgeon/hospitalist, a sister to an internist and the sister-in-law of several physicians practicing both in Africa and internationally so I can encourage you on your medical journey to success. As an advocate for women and with a passion for reformed medical education, I am convinced that this platform will be vital to your success as a woman in medicine.
