From Nigeria to Glace Bay: Dr. Olaide Odumosu’s journey to building a meaningful medical career in Nova Scotia

When Dr. Olaide Odumosu moved to Canada from Nigeria in January 2018, she knew the journey ahead would require determination, resilience and a willingness to embrace change. After years of practising medicine in Nigeria, she was committed to continuing her career and finding a place where her family could build a new life.

Within the first year in Canada, Olaide completed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination, National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination and the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Part I Examination: important steps toward practising medicine in her new home. She applied for opportunities in both Nova Scotia and British Columbia, but when she arrived in Nova Scotia for her interview, something immediately stood out.

“The warmth of the people and the beauty of the ocean really connected with me,” she says. “When I was offered the opportunity to be part of the former Nova Scotia Practice Ready Assessment Program (PRAP) cohort in 2019, I saw it as a chance not only to continue practising medicine but also to build a meaningful life for my family.”

That decision brought Olaide and her family to Glace Bay, where they were welcomed by a close-knit community and introduced to Cape Breton hospitality. During their site visit in August 2019, the PRAP physicians and their families participated in local experiences, including mackerel jigging and dinner at the Miners’ Museum. These moments helped them begin to picture life in the region. “My first impression of Glace Bay was that it was a welcoming community where people genuinely cared about one another,” she says.

Transitioning into a new healthcare system came with challenges. While medicine itself is universal, Olaide quickly learned that practising in Nova Scotia involved a different approach to care –one rooted in collaboration, teamwork and patient-centred practice. “There was a period of unlearning and relearning, but it made me a better physician,” she explains.

Over the years, Glace Bay has become much more than a place to work, it’s home. Her family has settled in the community, her daughters building friendships and enjoying activities like hockey, developing strong connections with those around them.

Professionally, Nova Scotia provided Olaide with opportunities to expand her practice in ways she never imagined. Today, she works across multiple areas, including family medicine, hospital medicine, emergency medicine, clinical teaching and physician assessment.

“I enjoy the variety. No two days are the same. I may spend one day caring for patients in my family practice, another managing acutely ill patients in the hospital or the emergency department and another teaching medical students or residents,” she says.

This broad scope of practice has allowed her to develop meaningful relationships with patients throughout their healthcare journeys. She often cares for patients in the clinic, sees them in the emergency department, admits them to the hospital and continues to follow their care afterward. “That continuity allows me to build lasting relationships and provide comprehensive care throughout different stages of their lives,” she says.

Olaide has also continued to grow as a physician and educator. In 2025, she completed a master of science in Applied Public Health from the University of Central Lancashire, strengthening her knowledge in disease prevention, health promotion and population health. She also became involved in teaching and mentorship, supporting medical learners and internationally trained physicians as they navigate their own journeys.

Her passion for mentorship comes from personal experience. After completing five major examinations within 13 months and making significant sacrifices alongside her family, she understands the challenges faced by physicians entering a new healthcare system. “I know first-hand how overwhelming the process can feel. If I can make the path a little clearer for someone else, then it is worth the effort,” she says.

Looking back on her journey since joining the first PRAP cohort, Olaide is proud of the career and life she has built in Nova Scotia. She has established a family practice, contributed to hospital and emergency care, taught future physicians and supported internationally trained physicians through the new Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence (PACE) program.

For physicians considering making Nova Scotia their new home, her message is simple: believe in yourself. “The journey is demanding, but it is achievable. With perseverance, mentorship and support, you can build a rewarding career and a wonderful life here in Nova Scotia.”

Are you looking for a pathway to practise in Nova Scotia? The Physician Assessment Centre of Excellence (PACE) could be your next step: PACE Nova Scotia – Practice Ready Assessment for International Physicians.

Photo of Dr. Olaide Odumosu and her family.