21 Year-old Nigerian Student Receives Student Leadership Award at University of Toronto
The University of Toronto recently honored 21-year-old Nigerian student Theodora Udounwa with a prestigious student leadership award for her exceptional achievements while studying Pharmacy. Throughout her time at the university, Udounwa demonstrated her passion for pharmacy and patient care. Udounwa is set to begin an industry residency at Novo Nordisk, where she will work in the medical affairs and strategic operations department.
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The University of Toronto recently honored 21-year-old Nigerian student Theodora Udounwa with a prestigious student leadership award for her exceptional achievements while studying Pharmacy at the institution.
Udounwa’s journey began at the age of 15 when she left her family in Nigeria and traveled to Canada to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at the prestigious University of Toronto. Originally from Abuja, she had graduated from high school at a young age due to her outstanding academic performance, which included an early start to kindergarten and skipping a grade.
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Upon learning about the University of Toronto during her time at boarding school, inspired by her sister who was studying nearby, Udounwa applied and was accepted to the university with the support of her parents. She started her academic journey specializing in pharmacology and biomedical toxicology with a minor in physiology, eventually transitioning to the PharmD program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
Throughout her time at the university, Udounwa demonstrated her passion for pharmacy and patient care. She actively contributed to the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic by administering over 1,600 vaccines and completing rotations at various healthcare institutions.
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Udounwa’s leadership skills were evident through her involvement with the Black Pharmacy Students’ Association and the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI). These efforts culminated in her receiving the U of T Student Leadership Award. Notably, she represented U of T at CAPSI’s 2023 Professional Development Week in Saskatoon, where she expanded her professional skills and immersed herself in Indigenous history and culture.
Looking ahead, Udounwa is set to begin an industry residency at Novo Nordisk, where she will work in the medical affairs and strategic operations department. Despite keeping an open mind about her future practice, she aims to continue direct patient care.. Reflecting on her journey, she offers advice to her peers: “This is a pivotal moment in our careers; be patient and give yourself grace as you navigate through uncertainty toward the next great opportunity.”
