What does leadership look like after the Fellowship year ends? In this ongoing Q&A series, we hear directly from Schweitzer Fellows for Life as they reflect on the lessons that have shaped their paths—personally, professionally, and in service to others. From career milestones to moments of impact, these stories highlight the enduring influence of the Fellowship and the many ways our alumni continue to lead with purpose.

Name: Mayowa Otuada

Fellowship Year: 2020-2021

Q: What are you currently doing professionally or academically, and how do you feel your Schweitzer Fellowship experience has helped you in your current position?

A: I currently work in Odessa, a city in West Texas, where my experience with ASF equipped me to adjust to the local economy of the city while addressing social determinants of health. This background has enabled me to effectively educate community members on health promotion and disease prevention strategies. I serve as the founding director of the RN to BSN program at Odessa College and also practice part-time as a women’s health nurse practitioner. In my role, I am committed to advancing nursing education, fostering student success, and building strong partnerships with local healthcare organizations. My passion for community engagement and evidence-based practice continues to shape my efforts in promoting equity and improving health outcomes in underserved populations.

Q: What do you remember most about your Schweitzer Fellowship experience, or what was the most surprising or unexpected gain?

A: I had a couple of home visits with the nurses at Nurse Family Partnership and that exposed me to different living conditions of low-income first-time moms.

Q: Tell us more about your ASF project and how you feel it helped shape your career path or academic focus.

A: My clinical background has been in OB/GYN and maternal-newborn care. My passion for supporting this population inspired the development of my ASF project — an online support group for first-time postpartum mothers experiencing postpartum depression. In my practice, this project continues to influence my approach, reminding me to screen patients for postpartum depression not only during the initial six-week period but throughout the entire first year after childbirth.

Q: How has the Fellowship influenced how you approach leadership, service, or community engagement?

A: Odessa College places a strong emphasis on community engagement, and my ASF experience helped prepare me for this aspect of my role. The college actively participates in ‘All-In Events,’ where faculty and staff support student-athletes, student programs, and give back to the community through a variety of initiatives. These include hosting events such as Career Fairs, Promise Preview Day, and Community Night Out in the fall and spring semesters

Q: What advice would you give to current or future Schweitzer Fellows?

A: Don’t measure the success of your project by the quantity of lives touched. If your project only impacts one person, it’s a success.