Oladimeji Taiwo served as ACHE’s 2024 summer intern through a partnership with the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity as part of the Summer Enrichment Program.
Oladimeji is pursuing his master’s degree in public health from Western Illinois University with an expected graduation date in May 2025. He also expects to earn a certificate in health services administration from Western Illinois University in December 2024. He earned a bachelor’s degree in medical rehabilitation from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. Get to know him in the Q&A below.
Please share with us your background. How did you become interested in healthcare management?
I grew up in a medium-sized city called Abeokuta, 70 miles north of Lagos, Nigeria. Growing up, I experienced the impact of inadequate healthcare firsthand, which sparked my interest in the field. For my first degree, I studied physical therapy, and I practiced as a PT for a while. At the time, all I knew was that I wanted to help people with health-related issues and make a difference in the lives of people in the community. In my three years as a clinician, I was always fascinated by how my superiors ran the clinic, making decisions on everything from daily operations to scaling. I later realized that my skillset and personality align better with management, and I found my sweet spot to be in healthcare management. I knew that I was very interested in this field, so I went back to school to earn a master’s degree.
Why did you join ACHE, and how did you engage with the organization as a student?
I first came across ACHE on LinkedIn. When I saw that this is the preeminent association for healthcare leaders, I knew I had to join. I became a student member so that I may have a professional organization to call home. With my membership, I have connected with people in this industry who have treaded the waters before me and can guide me through my career. In July, I attended one of my local chapter’s programs, and everyone was very welcoming.
I look forward to hopefully serving as a program assistant at next year's Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Houston to begin to give back to this association that has given so much to me.
Describe the opportunities you have had as an ACHE intern.
I’ve had the distinct fortune of seeing “behind the scenes” of a professional society. I’ve been invited to contribute to key conversations across the ACHE ecosystem with everyone from our members to the senior leadership team. It is such a privilege interacting daily with top brains in healthcare management. I’ve had the opportunity to ask many questions, confident that the people I work with will provide answers. Also, it was an honor to give an organization-wide presentation on health equity. And I had the privilege of going on a couple of site visits. I particularly enjoyed visiting Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.
What are your career goals, and how will you stay involved in ACHE?
My career goal is to become a C-suite leader of a large healthcare system in the next 25 years. I am currently applying to administrative fellowship programs across the nation to provide experience and enhance my knowledge base to kickstart my career pathway. I intend to be a lifelong member of ACHE and to achieve FACHE® certification early in my career. I know that the Fellow designation signals a commitment to lifelong learning among other incredible leadership traits and values, and I want to be associated with that.
How can Student Associates make the most of their ACHE membership?
Students like me should make good use of the ACHE Career Resource Center. It’s such a valuable resource that any ACHE member can tap into to seek clarity on what could be next in their career and how to go about achieving their goals. I also think students should get involved at the local level. Many chapters have development programs specifically for students such as sponsorships or mentorships, and even benefits such as scholarships. Students from minority backgrounds may also apply for the Summer Enrichment Program, a diversity internship organized by the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity/American Hospital Association.
Student Associates should also endeavor to attend Congress. It is such an invaluable opportunity to be in a room with leaders across different healthcare settings. Congress is the place to network and to build a professional community. In addition, Student Associates may have the opportunity to serve as program assistants.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love to be social. I just moved to Chicago last year and I have been exploring the city since then. I try my best to find a new, exciting thing to do almost every weekend such as jet skiing. I also enjoy running by the lake and swimming right after. My other hobbies are dancing, hiking and travelling. I am also a self-proclaimed Afrobeat aficionado.
Special thanks to the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity of the American Hospital Association for matching me with ACHE in the Summer Enrichment Program. I have had a great time learning from ACHE staff in many ways, and I picked up some skills and knowledge that will come in handy over the course of my career. I’m excited for my next steps and cannot wait to see where my career will take me in the coming years.