Dr. Joy Usigbe
Dr. Joy Usigbe is an accomplished public health professional with expertise in executive leadership, maternal and child health, performance management, quality improvement, evaluation, health disparity, equity and global health. She recognizes that addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) are pivotal for achieving holistic health and well-being. Growing up in Nigeria, she witnessed firsthand the impact of health disparities and inequities.
Her journey began at Indiana University, Indianapolis, where she earned her Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology. She then pursued a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Epidemiology at Indiana University School of Medicine, followed by a Doctor of Public Health in Executive Leadership in Global Health from Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health.
In 2022, she founded the Osezele Foundation—a non-profit global health organization. The foundation focuses on grassroots initiatives that empower communities through education, economic advancement, and public health prevention practices. Driven by a desire to lift her hometown of Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, out of poverty and health crisis, she serves as the glue that holds the foundation together. She believes in the power of public health prevention, economic empowerment, and youth education to transform lives: https://osezelefoundation.org.
While she acknowledges the limitations of solving Nigeria’s entire healthcare system and economic crisis, Dr. Usigbe remains committed to being a force for change. Her ultimate fulfillment lies in averting even one death and empowering a single youth toward self-sustainability. As a Program Evaluator in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dr. Usigbe leads performance management and quality improvement efforts. She provides strategic guidance, develops protocols, and ensures equity coordination and workforce advancement. Her commitment to data-driven approaches aligns with the organization’s Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Dr. Usigbe remains a tireless advocate for public health, directing her efforts toward the very fabric of human existence—the conditions and environments that shape our lives. Whether through her professional endeavors, nonprofit initiatives, or personal commitment, she navigates the intricate web of community, local, and global health. As a catalyst, she collaborates with fellow public health leaders across diverse domains. Together, they tackle complex issues, weaving a tapestry of desirable outcomes—improved well-being for individuals and thriving communities.
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ABOUT THE BCPH HEALTH INNOVATORS TO WATCH AWARDS 2024
Honorees selected for the Health Innovators to Watch Awards come from across the globe, representing health and healthcare innovation in traditional public health fields, research, academia, architecture, and more. In addition, innovators are intentionally diverse in backgrounds, from public health founders and co-founders, inventors, national and international leaders, directors, researchers, academicians, and curriculum developers
