Community, Connection & Care: Get to know Jummy Oladipo, Class of 2T6 Valedictorian

Olajumoke (Jummy) Oladipo is wrapping up four years in the MD Program with the honour of being chosen as valedictorian before continuing on her educational journey at Temerty Medicine in a Paediatrics residency. Looking back on her time in the MD Program, Jummy reflects upon her pathway to medicine, the importance of community and what makes the graduating class of 2026 special.

Can you share a little about your journey towards medical school? What inspired you to study medicine?

My background is Nigerian, and I grew up in a very close and connected family. We are taught to look out for one another and care for others. Embracing these values from a young age meant I always knew I wanted to pursue a career rooted in community and connection.

As I grew older and saw loved ones navigating the healthcare system, I saw firsthand the challenges and structural inequities they encountered. This really inspired me to think about how I could make a difference in this realm and consider a career in healthcare.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Life Sciences at Queen's University and stayed on to complete earn a Master of Science in Translational Medicine as well. During my graduate studies my research was centred around the neonatal gut microbiome, and this sparked my interest in paediatrics. I really enjoyed my research but also felt drawn to the clinical work and this is what inspired me to pursue medicine.

Medicine brings together everything I want out of a career: community, connection, advocacy and research. It is a real privilege to have found a career that encompasses all of these passions.

What was a challenge you faced during medical school and how did you manage?

For me, one of the bigger challenges was choosing a specialty. I had past experiences in paediatrics from my graduate studies, but I came into medical school with a very open mind. I took each clinical experience and rotation as an opportunity to really immerse myself in that field and try and uncover my identity as a future physician. It was a difficult decision to make.

I was fortunate to have a strong community to help guide me in this decision and find the pathway that is right for me. I relied on my mentors to have genuine conversations about my aspirations, and my friends and family were very supportive in sharing their insights and helping me to guide my thoughts.

Is there something from your experience in the MD Program you will carry with you in your future career?

In medical school I really took the advice of seeking out mentors and sponsors to heart, and this is something I will continue to do as I begin residency and move through my career. Having a variety of mentors to reach out to for guidance and support really enhanced my experience in the MD Program and having sponsors who can help champion opportunities opened many doors for me. The value of mentorship is what inspired me and my classmates to establish iLead – a mentorship program that supports medical students who are part of equity-deserving groups.

I would encourage other medical students to make seeking out mentorship a priority early on. There are many opportunities within Temerty Medicine, and once you get over the fear of feeling like you’re taking up someone’s time you’ll realize how mutually beneficial the relationship is. It can take some time to find the right fit, but it’s very worthwhile to put in the work and find someone you connect with.  

Of course, I will also carry the community I built in the MD Program with me as I continue this journey. I’m so grateful for the incredible friendships I’ve made and all of the connections I made through the Black Medical Students' Association (BMSA). I am fortunate to have found a really supportive and kind group of people during medical school.

What, in your experience, makes the class of 2T6 unique?

I think our class is unique for the way we maintain academic excellence and balance in our lives outside of medicine. We have a strong sense of community. 2T6 is a class where you could find your people to celebrate milestones–big and small–inside and outside of medicine.

Medicine is a huge part of our identity, but it’s also only one part of what makes us “us”. As we enter the workforce, having the practice of balancing our hobbies, relationships and the perspective that comes along with a strong sense community will help us show up as our best selves for our patients and the communities we serve.

How does it feel to be chosen as valedictorian by your classmates?

It’s an incredible honour to be chosen as valedictorian. I’m so grateful to my classmates for trusting me in this role, their support means a lot. It’s a very special way to cap off my time in the MD Program.

I am also grateful to the three Black women valedictorians who came before me: Dr. Kristine Whitehead, Dr. Chika Oriuwa, and Dr. Renee Bailey. They have been a huge inspiration for me on my journey.