Dr Eji Ekeanyanwu
Medical practitioner, entrepreneur, community advocate
A chat with our 2019 Gala Keynote Speaker, Dr Eji Ekeanyanwu
Join Skin I'm In and Dr Eji Ekeanyanwu at the the 2019 Gala Dinner. Tickets can be purchased here.
q: at what age did you know you wanted to become a doctor and why?
A: Becoming a doctor was not about knowing but more about being told and guided from as early as six years old. My uncle - who I consider to be one of the greatest influences on my life outside of my parents - took one look at my report card when I was in primary school and declared, “You are going to be a doctor”. From then on, the idea grew on me and then it was reinforced in secondary school by my guidance counsellors. As to the “why”, I have always wanted to help people and be part of what makes them smile and be happy. My best days are those when a patient comes and says “Doctor, I feel a lot better because of what you gave me or the advice you gave.”
q: was there ever a time when as a medical student you doubted your abilities to succeed and if so, how did you overcome those doubts?
A: The most difficult times during my training were the 1st and 3rd years of study. The 1st because I was young and the responsibility to attend lectures every day and take up to fourteen courses a semester - which to me had nothing to do with medicine - at the time made me question if I could do this. But each time I looked around and saw most of my friends going through the same thing. It made me study harder. I also didn’t want to let my uncle down and my motivation came from not wanting to disappoint him.
When I was in my 3rd year of study I had a defining exam. A pass meant that I could continue and go on to become a doctor. A fail would mean that I was cut from medical school. My friends and I all had doubts because we had seen people who were smart, fail. But I overcame this by relying on hard work and the help of friends who were going through the same thing.
q: what are you most proud of?
A: That’s a difficult question to answer because there are so many. But I guess what I’m most proud of is the fact that the people who had faith in me; my teachers, parents, friends and family, and of course my uncle, all said, “You are what we expected”. As such, I am most proud of the fact that I didn’t let anyone down.
q: tell us a little about your entrepreneurial journey, since arriving in Australia?
A: I never really imagined myself as an entrepreneur but when we noticed a gap in the country medical service, I knew that if I wanted to see change, I had to be involved and so entrepreneurship was rather thrust on me. That said, I have come to embrace it. There’s more to share about this but readers will have to come to the gala to hear what I have to say 😊
q: you and your wife Rashika, have attended the Skin I’m In Gala as guests, since its inaugural event in 2012. This year, you are the keynote speaker. How does it feel to be attending in a different capacity this time round?
A: As this year’s Keynote Speaker, I have a responsibility to contribute to a positive guest experience and that is very exciting.
q: the theme of this year’s gala is ‘social enterprise’. In what way do you think the African diaspora can better support those social enterprises that exists within our community.
A: First, I feel the African diaspora has a certain responsibility to support the enterprises that already exist, because I believe charity begins at home. Secondly, without support, the existing enterprises will not succeed and this in turn will discourage others from creating this type of entity. But I also believe it’s a two way street, as there is also a responsibility on the enterprises to run and provide professional outfits to all and not water it down on the so-called ‘na we we’ phenomenon (Nigerians are well versed in the concept). Again, I will expand on this at the gala so you really need to be there.
“...I have always wanted to help people and be part of what makes them smile and be happy. ”
q: what is the one spontaneous act you love to do the most?
A: I don’t think anyone who knows me would describe me as spontaneous so I’m scratching my head right now trying to find one act. When I can think of one, I will let you know.