Dr Isaac Olufadewa

Today marks exactly 10 years since I received my medical degree from Nigeria's Premier University (University of Ibadan), and stepped into a journey I could never have fully imagined. The transformation is real and reflecting on it has been surreal. Let me count some of my blessings: - From Zero publication to over 100 publications - From 1 undergraduate scholarship award to over 30 scholarships, fellowships and awards - from few mentees to now mentoring Rhodes Scholar, Mastercard Scholars and over 50 other scholars - from "friend" adviser to WHO Technical Working Group member and Lancet Commission Task Force Expert - from an MBBS degree to a PhD degree (and learning about AI, ML models, etc) - From rejuvenating The Literary and Debating Society (TLDS), UI to founding/co-founding several health platforms such as Slum and Rural Health Initiative (SRHIN), SRHIN Research Academy, HEAL Society and many more - From traveling to only one country to now over 14 countries in 4 continents and counting! A decade ago, fresh out of medical school, I carried a heart full of ambition, a mind full of questions, and a deep desire to HEAL and make a difference. That desire has taken me from crowded hospital wards to rural villages, from patient bedsides to policy tables, from Nigeria to the global stage. I have witnessed life in its most fragile moments, held the hands of those in pain, celebrated recoveries that felt like miracles, and mourned losses that still leave a mark. I have worked in migrant camps, promoted mental health in underserved communities, worked on pandemic/epidemic response and communicated with diverse audiences. I’ve also seen how health is shaped far beyond the walls of hospitals by education, equity, technology, leadership, and the collective will of communities. These 10 years have been more than a career; they’ve been a calling. I’ve learned that being a doctor and implementation scientist is not just about diagnosing illness, it’s about listening deeply, advocating fiercely, and serving humbly. I’m grateful: -:To my mentors who guided me, -To my colleagues who challenged and inspired me, - To funders and supporters who made these dreams possible -To community members and patients who trusted me with their lives, -And to my family, friends and God who gave me strength when the weight felt heavy. As I step into the next decade, my commitment remains clear: to use my skills, voice, and platforms to advance health equity, leverage AI and digital technology, inspire the next generation, and help build a world where everyone, no matter where they are born has the chance to live a healthy, dignified life. Let's keep rising together! #10YearsADoctor #HealthEquity #Gratitude #LIVBOU #GlobalHealth