Tolulope Adewole

Biography

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

Every night I dream of a utopia and waking in the morning to my smartphone, I am reminded of Congo, coltan, greed and injustice. This makes me contemplate how conflict and socioeconomic factors affect healthcare. Growing up in Nigeria surrounded by abject misery taught me to be conscious of the destructive power of poverty. I watched people weigh the need for food versus accessing healthcare services. I am worried about the future but am motivated to begin the day.
Yet, I was given good opportunities. The only reason I could think of is that my privilege was given to me so I could do something, somehow, some way to make the lives of others better. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." After all, passivity is cancerous.

My experience volunteering in a mental health hospital in Sri Lanka, volunteering at the Toronto Distress Centres and working at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health influenced my desire to work with underserved populations and led me to pursue a career in nursing. The world desperately needs more healthcare professionals dedicated to these populations, especially in developing countries. I think we can close the gaps in healthcare if there are more healthcare professionals. My dream is that there are qualified healthcare professionals easily accessible in every corner of the earth.

Awards

• Dean's List