Oyo State-born nurse Michael Odedele has received high commendation from his supervisor, Gregory Mikitarian, for his dedication, leadership, and clinical expertise. Mikitarian described him as a dependable professional who not only meets expectations but also sets the standard for others.
“It’s rare to find someone who not only shows up, but shows others how it’s done. He is dependable, clinically sharp, and leads by example,” Mikitarian said.
Odedele’s commitment was particularly evident in 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he was on the front lines in a U.S. nursing facility, providing direct care to high-risk elderly patients who were isolated from their families and vulnerable to the virus.
Reflecting on that period, Odedele said nursing goes beyond medicine to encompass presence, culture, and service. “I carry Nigeria with me every time I walk into a room with a patient who needs help,” he said. He recalled caring for patients who were scared, alone, and at risk, and explained that being a Nigerian nurse meant bringing the strength and values of home into an environment of fear and turning it into compassionate care.
Since then, Odedele has continued to broaden his professional impact, delivering high-quality nursing services across various settings. He supports patient care teams, mentors junior staff, provides training on specialised procedures such as ventilator and tracheostomy care, and assists with quality improvement programmes aimed at reducing hospital readmissions and improving long-term patient outcomes.
Looking ahead, Odedele is preparing to pursue advanced research in geriatric and community health nursing, with a focus on tackling disparities in chronic illness management among underserved populations. His goal is to contribute to nursing literature, develop data-driven care models, and serve as a link between frontline practice and evidence-based innovation.
“As the U.S. continues to face healthcare workforce shortages, professionals like Michael Odedele offer more than solutions,” Mikitarian said. “They bring stories of strength, leadership, and the transformative power of service.”
Odedele emphasises that the heart of nursing lies in human connection. “Being a nurse is never just about medicine,” he reiterated. “It’s about presence, culture, service.”
