Why did you choose medicine?
I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where I witnessed the devastating effects of the social determinants of health. Often, families would fundraise for relatives who had complications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension because they had no access to a primary care provider. I saw the effect on families and the low life expectancy. I am an empath, and I wanted to have an impact on others through medicine. It was an easy choice that I had nursed for a long time.
Why did you choose Yale Department of Internal Medicine for your fellowship?
I went into internal medicine residency already knowing I wanted to be an infectious diseases physician. I wanted to do my fellowship in a program that has stood the test of time. I knew that I would gain a lot of experience training at Yale because of the number of hospitals fellows rotate through and the diversity of patients who come from far and wide. Yale Infectious Diseases has a robust faculty who serve as mentors with expertise in many aspects of infectious diseases.
What is your career goal?
I am interested in general infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. I have always wanted to provide care to underserved communities. After completing my fellowship, I plan to work in a rural community hospital for at least three years as part of my visa requirement. Long term, I envision a career in clinical general infectious disease in the inpatient and outpatient settings, with opportunities to participate in antimicrobial stewardship and clinical trials.
What's a fun fact about you?
I have been interested in hair care since I was five years old, and I can make a full head of long braids on myself, without assistance. I have a seven-year-old daughter, and she has never needed to visit a hair salon because of my skills.