Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Dr Olayemi O. Dawodu is a distinguished anatomic and molecular pathologist with a wealth of qualifications and experience. With a remarkable career spanning almost two decades, Olayemi has made significant contributions in clinical and administrative roles within the healthcare sector. She practices as a consultant in anatomic pathology with special interests in gynaecologic pathology, as well as endocrine pathology with emphasis on the thyroid gland and environmental pathology.
She earned her M.B.B.S degree from the esteemed College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and underwent fellowships in pathology and laboratory medicine at both the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Physicians. These qualifications enable her to practice in Nigeria and the broader West African region. She also received training at the Department of Pathology at both Indianapolis University and Purdue University in USA. Additionally, she has enriched her expertise through executive education at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Olayemi serves as the MD/CEO of Clina-Lancet Laboratories in Nigeria, a prominent name in the healthcare field and part of the Cerba-Lancet healthcare group. Her journey with the organisation began in 2015 when she joined as the country histopathologist. Here, she cultivated trust among her fellow consultants and efficiently managed the histopathology unit, leading to her promotion to her current position in 2016. She also holds a seat on the Nigerian organisation.
In her role as CEO, Olayemi is the driving force behind the business. She provides strategic leadership, oversees daily operations, and directs the organisation’s overall growth and development. Her commitment to the healthcare sector is unwavering, as she strives to deliver exceptional pathology and medical services.
She is also a dedicated researcher, and has authored publications in both local and international journals. Furthermore, she serves as a peer reviewer for journals and as a lecturer in anatomic pathology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Olayemi’s influence extends to her involvement with various committees and organisations. She actively collaborates with others in the sector to offer her unique perspective on healthcare solutions, both clinically and administratively. She is a member of the Accreditation Advisory Committee for the Nigeria National Accreditation System and a member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria. She also serves on the “Health as a Business” Committee of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group. Olayemi also dedicates herself towards empowering other women. She is a founding member of Gaia Africa, the first C-suite women-only business club in Africa, and is a member of Rising Tide Africa, a female-only angel investor club that supports female entrepreneurs with seed investments.
Recognised for her outstanding achievements, Olayemi has received prestigious awards such as the Medical Personality Leadership Prize in 2016 at the African Prize for Leadership Excellence Awards. She was also honoured with the title of “Best Female CEO in the West African Region” at the 2017 ECOWAS Quality Awards, acknowledging her successful implementation of a Quality Management System within her organisation.
Olayemi believes in a collaborative and capacity-building approach to achieving organisational objectives. Her dedication lies in ensuring the provision of top-notch healthcare delivery, particularly in the field of quality pathology and diagnostic services in Nigeria and across Africa. For being a trailblazer and role model in the medical field, Pride Magazine Nigeria celebrates Dr Olayemi O. Dawodu as our Woman Crush Wednesday.