It is, without question, true that to achieve success in a world largely dominated by men, women who step into various professional fields (healthcare included) must push themselves beyond the confines of societal archetypes. A woman is often groomed to be a stay-at-home mother—homemaker or full-time mother—a subject that has been widely debated for generations. Some men, particularly those on the far right, have frequently scrutinized the role of the stay-at-home mother, contending that it reinforces traditional gender roles that are fundamental to this ideology, irrespective of the woman’s personal preferences.
Thankfully, there are many women who have broken out of this norm, setting an example for young girls. In the medical field, there’s Elizabeth Blackwell, who became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States and the first woman on the Medical Register of the General Medical Council for the United Kingdom. More recently, Castle Connolly has recognized women like Dr. Monica B. Schadlow, MD (a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology) and a host of others.
But today is all about Dr. Sandra Ogungbemi, an interventional pulmonologist who is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonology, and critical care. Being the first Nigerian female interventional pulmonologist (and one of three black female interventional pulmonologists in the USA), this achievement is no small feat.
Read on as Dr. Sandra Ogungbemi shares more about herself:
What inspired you to pursue a career in Medicine, and specifically in this highly specialised field?
I have always loved caring for people. Growing up as the first child, I had the responsibility of caring for my younger ones. I grew up among doctors in the family and was actually “Voluntold” to study medicine by my Mother (insert laugh). Like many Nigerian kids growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, I did not have a say in choosing my career but along the way, I fell in love with studying the complexities of how the human body works and I have not looked back ever since. Over time in my career journey, I gravitated towards procedure heavy specialities and naturally decided to pursue a career in Interventional Pulmonology after my General pulmonology and critical care fellowship.
Can you share a defining moment or experience that solidified your decision to become a doctor?
One that comes to mind is when I had a patient with liver cirrhosis come in with difficulty breathing and we found out he had large pleural effusion ( fluid around his lungs). We drained the fluid and he instantly felt relief of his symptoms. That moment played a pivotal role in defining my career choice as a lung doctor.
What challenges did you face as a woman entering a predominantly male-dominated speciality, and how did you overcome them?
One of the most daunting challenges I faced, not just as a woman but as a black woman is lack of representation. I have also experienced stereotyping from some men who believe women should not be in this particular field. I have always believed in myself and know not to depend on external validation.
What achievements or milestones in your career are you most proud of?
By God’s grace, I am the first Nigerian female consultant Interventional pulmonologist. I am also the third black female interventional Pulmonologist.
For context, There are only 2.8% black female physicians in the US and in this highly specialized field, I am one of three. I am also board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Critical care. All these achievements could not have been possible without GOD, my family and my friends. My support system is rock solid.
How do you balance the demands of your profession with your personal life and self-care?
I have a rock solid support system. I believe that Is impossible to have a true work-life balance in this field. Something has to give. My Husband has been a tremendous source of support for me and picked up the slack while I was in training. Dr Tom Ogungbemi, you are the real MVP and deserve all the accolades and more.
How do you stay motivated and passionate about your work, especially during challenging times?
I see my work as my calling and purpose in life so when challenging times come, I remind myself of this. Reflecting on my past successes and feedback I have gotten from my patients, I am encouraged to keep soldiering on despite challenges. More Importantly, Meditating on God’s word has grounded me.
How do you plan to mentor and support the next generation of doctors, particularly women, in your speciality?
Given that there are not many women in my specialty, particularly black women, I am honored to blaze the trail for younger doctors. I plan to give back to my country of birth by organizing training workshops and conferences focused on providing didactics and hands-on clinical experiences for pulmonologists interested in performing bronchoscopy.
I also intend to provide one-on -one mentorship and guidance for medical students and residents interested in the field of Interventional Pulmonology.
What qualities do you believe are essential for success in your field, and how have you cultivated them?
Just like in any other field, I believe empathy, consistency and discipline (strong work ethic) will take you far in life, irrespective of the field of practice. Overtime, I have cultivated these skills, and continue to do so through self reflectiveness, self-awareness and accepting constructive criticism from my mentors.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to follow in your footsteps and make a difference in the medical field?
Keep your head up, don’t let the negativity get to you. When the journey gets tough, pause if you have to, but don’t quit. Keep forging ahead. You have what it takes to succeed and you will succeed.
What were your interests and passions as a child, and how did they influence your career choice?
As a child, I loved playing pretend with my dolls and would give them injections with my little doctor set that my Mother bought for me. I was very curious about how things worked in general and asked a ton of questions. I believe my love for helping people and my curiosity influenced my choice.
