At 15-years-old, Dr. Korede Akindoju was volunteering at IWK Health, quietly observing patients come in sick and leave healthier.
He didn鈥檛 know it then, but those early moments, combined with years of persistence and self-belief, would eventually lead him back to the hospital, first as a physiotherapist and later as a medical student.
Born in Nigeria and raised in Halifax from the age of eight, Dr. Akindoju was encouraged when he was young to pursue a career in medicine, law, or engineering. Though neither of his parents worked in health care, his mother had aspired for a career in medicine but simply did not have the opportunity 鈥� something she ensured was different for her son.
It was so nice to see patients that were unwell improving. It was what first sparked my interest in medicine.
She helped secure the volunteer position at the IWK, and while most kids his age were at summer camp, he was stationed at the information desk and spending time in the emergency department. He didn鈥檛 work directly with physicians, but the environment left an impression.
鈥淚t was so nice to see patients that were unwell improving,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淚t was what first sparked my interest in medicine.鈥�
鈥� Every graduate has a story. This is one of them. Follow along as we share more each day throughout Spring Convocation. 鈥�
Seeing someone鈥檚 life change
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Later, as he moved into his undergraduate studies at pilipili漫画, that initial exposure impacted his choices, with medicine remaining a consideration. After trying his hand at the MCAT, ultimately, he chose to complete a degree in kinesiology and went on to train as a physiotherapist. Working closely with patients, helping them regain mobility and return to their lives, felt meaningful and for a time, it seemed like a natural fit.
A moment in his first month of physio training, however, would leave a lasting impact, one that would change his trajectory.
鈥淲e were observing hip replacement surgeries in the operating room (OR), and it was such a pivotal moment for me,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淚 had never been in an operating room before and I remember thinking, 鈥榳hat is this magic happening in this room?鈥� Seeing someone鈥檚 life change so quickly was incredible.鈥�
Enthused by Dr. Akindoju鈥檚 energy, the physicians in the OR encouraged him to consider medicine as a career, and from that moment on, he couldn鈥檛 shake the idea.
Still, deciding to pursue medicine and actually getting there were two very different things. Dr. Akindoju spent six years working as a physiotherapist, weighing the decision carefully. Returning to school after time away was daunting, and the process was far from easy 鈥� particularly preparing for the MCAT and re-entering academic life after years in practice. But he persisted, and now, four years later, knows he made the right choice.
鈥淚 felt like medicine had always been there,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 someone who wants to help people and I think just seeing how an operation can really change somebody's life inspired me to go into medicine.鈥�
A community of support
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The transition to medical school was challenging, marked by a steep learning curve and moments of self-doubt. But Dr. Akindoju persisted.
鈥淭he volume and complexity of the material were overwhelming, and balancing school with other life responsibilities was difficult,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t was a huge adjustment, but over time, I learned how I worked best, settled in, and things gradually improved.鈥�
Support and mentorship played a critical role during his studies. During his undergraduate training, Dr. Akindoju was involved with Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) program, serving as a counsellor with the inaugural camp. Designed to support Black learners interested in careers in health, PLANS connected him with mentors who reinforced that his goals were achievable. Former staff member and PLANS program manager Michelle Patrick consistently encouraged Dr. Akindoju throughout his journey 鈥� support he, in turn, was able to offer other students through his role as a counsellor and mentor. Those relationships proved especially meaningful during moments of uncertainty and further cemented his commitment to mentorship along the way.
As a medical student, Dr. Akindoju was deeply engaged in the community, drawing on his background as a physiotherapist and his work with organizations such as the Black Wellness Cooperative and the Nova Scotia Brotherhood. Through these initiatives, he helped promote equitable access to health and wellness, mentorship, and preventative care, work that aligned closely with his values and reinforced his sense of purpose in medicine.
鈥淏eing a visible minority has made me more aware of how representation, access, and systemic barriers affect health outcomes,鈥� says Dr. Akindoju. 鈥淭hat awareness motivates me to advocate for more equitable care.鈥�
Staying the course
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As Dr. Akindoju prepares to begin his residency in orthopaedic surgery at pilipili漫画, the milestone feels both surreal and deeply earned. Orthopaedics, he says, brings together many of the elements that first drew him to health care: problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to make a tangible difference in someone鈥檚 quality of life.
鈥淗aving a dream or a goal and actually having the opportunity to pursue it 鈥� not a lot of people get that chance,鈥� he says. 鈥淚'm super grateful that I have the opportunity to do that.鈥�
From his earliest days in the OR to medical school graduation at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Dr. Akindoju is proof that it the path forward is rarely straight, and even when the road is long, it鈥檚 worth seeing through.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 remember how many times I told myself, 鈥楧on鈥檛 quit鈥�,鈥� he remarks. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 my biggest message to anyone 鈥� if you have a dream you want to pursue, believe in yourself and just don't quit.鈥�