Oyepero Olasehinde-Williams is a Pharmacy Team Manager based in Rayleigh and supports patients who use our community services in mid and south Essex.
She shares her story about her cultural roots and public service for International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March), which this year focuses on Inspire Inclusion.
“I am a strong advocate for equality and diversity, and always an ally for teams and groups that value both.
“I am Nigerian, born in the lovely city of Lagos, and it is a pleasure to celebrate International Women’s Day with other allies of inclusion and diversity wearing my Yoruba attire, as pictured.
“Yoruba people are a West African ethnic group who mainly live in parts of Nigeria, Benin and Togo. The Yorubas are among the most skilled and productive craftsmen in Africa.
“The Yoruba clothing I am wearing in the photo is called ‘ashoke’ and the head gear is called ‘gele’. The Yoruba people are known to be very happy people and we love parties and social gatherings!
“I am a Christian mother with a strong religious background and am involved in several Christian related charity projects including Premier Christian Radio, Christians Against Poverty, Winners Chapel, and local food banks.
“I am an experienced clinical pharmacist, Advanced Clinical Practitioner trainee and an Independent non-medical prescriber.
“I have 20 years’ experience and started my pharmacy career working for Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, where I rose to the post of a district manager.
“I moved on to manage various community pharmacies, then worked for the South East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group Clinical Commissioning Group (which is now the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board) before joining EPUT in 2019.
“Alongside my roles as a Pharmacy Team Manager, I am also a CQC Specialist Advisor for community health services.
“Both my mum and dad are pharmacists and they inspired me to love the profession. I also have a brother who is a pharmacist, so it is safe to say I grew up in a family of pharmacists.”