Theodora Udounwa, a beacon of intellectual brilliance, made her mark in Canada by shattering an academic record. At 21, she became the youngest graduate in the history of the University of Toronto's Doctor of Pharmacy program. This feat is a testament to her exceptional academic prowess at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
Theodora's inspiring journey in Canada caught the community's attention when she completed her undergraduate degree in two years and during her first year of the PharmD program, coinciding with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a time of emotional upheaval for many new Nigerian students, grappling with the unfamiliarity of a different environment and the hardships of relocation. However, Theodora rose above these challenges. She weathered the storm and actively participated in the pandemic response alongside her classmates, as documented by Eileen Hoftyzer, a freelance healthcare editor.
"She was trained earlier to deliver immunizations to help participate in vaccination clinics and personally delivered more than 1,600 COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccinations at the Discovery Pharmacy pop-up flu clinics".
Theodora Udounwa (photo: Steve Southon)
Theodora's leadership qualities
During her program, Theodora continued with rotations at several top-notch health institutions in Toronto. Theodora's leadership qualities came to the fore when she served as the junior and senior representative on the university's council of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns. In these roles, she not only represented her peers but also advocated for their needs and concerns, making a significant impact on the university community.
Theodora's commitment to diversity and inclusion was evident in her role as one of the first University of Toronto Black Pharmacy Students' Association members. Her involvement in this association not only elevated the experiences of Black Pharmacy students but also paved the way for more excellent representation and inclusion within the faculty.
She took on the role of the 2T4 class representative. Her passion and resilience convinced her that such an association became necessary as a veritable vehicle to promote distinctive voices with varied but valuable opinions. Udounwa puts this succinctly in her conversation with Eileen Hoftyzer during the association's launch in 2022.
"In that way, we hope to encourage people who do not identify as Black to participate as allies, which would be impactful for their Black classmates." She told Hoftyzer.
From left: Victoria Ezekwemba (2T3 Representative), Kay-Ann Ormsby (2T5 Class Representative), Events Director (Iman Abdulhadi), Theodora Udounwa (2T4 Class Representative), Zaijah Thomas (President), Obinna Okafor-Justin (Finance Director), Oluwadamilola (Dami) Sogbesan (Marketing Director), Ayub Hashi (Secretary), Betelehem Gulilat (Content Director), Mariam Ali (Vice President). (Photo: Bpsa)
Theodora's leadership journey continued as she took on the role of Vice Provost in the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee student advisory group. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in shaping the university's enrollment strategies, demonstrated her leadership skills, and significantly impacted the faculty.
A beacon of pride, setting new standards.
Udounwa's academic success in pharmacy practice and leadership as the youngest PharmD graduate in the class of 2024, bagging the U of T Student Leadership Award and a Canadian Pharmacists' Association Centennial Leadership Award, is an example of how Nigerians continue to push the boundaries of knowledge.
Her achievements have brought her success and profoundly impacted her family, Nigerians, and the Black community. She has become a beacon of pride, setting new standards, and becoming a trending story of inspiration for the Black community in the Leslie Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Toronto Research Network, and other Black publications/Associations across the globe.
Udounwa's brilliance and ingenuity came to the fore years ago as she left indelible academic and leadership marks at her high school, Thomas Adewunmi International College, in Oko Kwara State, Nigeria. Her achievements in this early educational journey set the stage for her future success and exemplified the Nigerian narrative of innovative bravery and a can-do spirit. As she proceeds on Industry residency at the Pharma giant Novo Nordisk's medical affairs and strategic operations department in September, the African Caribbean and Black community looks forward to her next academic feat.
Her family background
Theodora's family significantly impacted her academic success as she comes from a highly supportive home with intellectual influence and educational expectations. Her father, Major General (Rtd) Solomon Effiong Udounwa, served the Nigerian Army in strategic leadership capacities, with the last being the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army) at the Army Headquarters, Abuja. Her mother, Arit Udounwa, is a successful leader in banking and finance, thus making Theodora personify the idiomatic expression: "The apple does not fall far from the tree."
Gratitude:
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto.
Steve Southon, Digital Communications and Media Specialist, U of T
Eileen Hoftyzer, freelance healthcare editor.
Black Pharmacy Students' Association (BPSA)