Benjamin Aiwonodagbon, 33, is the research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital. He speaks about his job
Tell us about your educational background?
My educational journey has been pretty interesting so far. I attended multiple schools in the semi-urban town of Igarra in Edo State as a child. For my elementary education, I attended three schools and finished at Gloryland Nursery & Primary School. My family wanted the best for me and kept pulling me from one school to another. I finally finished in Success Secondary School after attending three previous schools. Thereafter, I proceeded to the University of Ibadan to study medicine. Upon becoming a doctor, I took a break from further medical training and did some global health work around HIV, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infection interventions in Nigeria for a few years. I hung my work boots in 2017 to return to school to study more. Currently, I am in the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health wrapping up an advanced degree in public health.
As the research coordinator of a project in the United States, what does your job entail?
I work on a benchmarking study to promote patient access to a screening intervention. I review the literature to know what best practices have been done so far around the world. I review what we do in-house and also try to assess best practices from other facilities. Putting all of these together, I proffer recommendations for implementation. Sadly, research is an area Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations have not invested in. Most researches conducted in Africa are donor-driven by international agencies and governments, who place a high premium on improving decision-making processes using research outcomes.
Tell us the story of how you got admitted into Harvard and how you felt?
The first exciting thing to say is that getting into Harvard or any of the ivy league schools is quite doable, inasmuch as you start planning early enough around meeting the admission requirements. All you need is the right information which you can get online and someone to guide you through the process. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking Harvard five years ago. Although I had planned to travel to the United States shortly after medical school, I delayed for some time since I found my global health work pretty satisfying and interesting. I finally decided in 2016 to travel. I did a qualifying foreign examination in Nigeria that is required for an advanced degree in the US and got all the other requirements ready and applied into Harvard for the first time and got in. I was truly elated at my acceptance. Right now as a graduate student, I am more excited joining the Harvard brand. The Harvard experience, for everyone who passes through this institution, is a lifelong opportunity. It teaches you beyond the books. You learn diversity, inclusion, change, innovation and hunger to impact the people around you and make the world a better place. You are fully equipped and primed to succeed.
Tell us about an achievement of yours that gives you the greatest degree of fulfilment?
I would say an achievement that gives me fulfilment is contributing to public health system strengthening in Nigeria for much over a decade. It gladdens my heart when you teach people how to fish and they are able to continue the trade. I am super excited at supporting in building the capacity of over 15 marginalised-population led community organisations to take ownership of their health by improving care to thousands of the community members, who ordinarily have been deprived from health care services. Also, training hundreds of health workers in at least 10 states in both northern and southern Nigeria gives me huge joy. My little effort has translated into preserving the lives of the next generation by reducing maternal to child transmission of HIV. All these efforts were recognised in 2016 when I joined other experts in Nigeria to formulate the policy implementation guideline for HIV and also assist in reviewing the HIV national tools for the country.
What was the most difficult problem you faced in your career and how did you resolve it?
I think my career challenges are akin to what most physicians in the country face right now. Getting placement to do residency is more difficult than gaining admission into an Ivy League school; it’s no joke. I knew I will face such challenge but somehow found satisfaction with public health early enough and rode with it. This issue has to be addressed. There is a huge exodus of physicians from the country. As I speak to you, about 40 of my course mates are in the US, the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the Caribbean’s and other European countries not because physicians are better paid only, but also due to huge satisfaction you and your patients derive from your work.
Who are your role models and how have they influenced you?
Three amazing role models I must say. The first is my mum who is my primary role model. Still amazed till tomorrow at how she was able to navigate the difficult socio-economic circumstances in Nigeria to raise five kids almost solely. I also admire Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; I had an opportunity to learn about him during my training in civil rights movement in the American South in 2008, as an exchange student scholar in Arkansas, United States. The third is Nelson Mandela, who exhibited a rare act of volunteerism for the liberation of South Africa. Their acts of volunteerism for public good spurred me to promote access to health care for the underserved people.
How would you encourage youths who want to excel in their various careers?
The Nigerian youths are highly industrious and resilient. I have seen lots of young Nigerians doing great in their various pursuits. I know it’s challenging charting a future in view of the numerous challenges in the country. I know some may be trying hard and have not been able to make headway yet. Don’t stop. It isn’t a failure. It is a failure when you stop trying. Keep your head up and seek support. There is someone, somewhere that has gone through similar situations that you are facing. Perseverance is what sets them apart from what you may be trying so hard to accomplish. Also, networking is important in every career. Being able to speak intelligently about the things you are passionate about will take you far. Identify a few good mentors and stay current with changes in your field. This allows you to compete nationally and internationally for opportunities. You will excel sooner than expected.
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