The Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA), held the graduation ceremony for the 2017 cohort of the Healthcare Executives Leadership Program (HELP) and its Patient-Centred Care (PCC) programme on December 7, 2017, at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos.
The graduation ceremony was attended by the graduating participants, key healthcare stakeholders, senior government officials and faculty from the HLA and other institutions. Speaking at the event, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Jide Idris, appreciated the efforts of the HLA and emphasized the partnership as a reflection of the commitment of the State government to human capacity development in the health sector. He also congratulated the graduates and charging them, stated that “You have a responsibility to diligently apply the knowledge acquired to take healthcare service delivery to the next level”.
Founder of the HLA and CEO of the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF), Dr Kelechi Ohiri reminded the graduands of the Vision of the HLA and its Mission and their role in achieving transformation and change in the Healthcare system in Nigeria. Attesting to this vision of the HLA and its focus on transformation and leadership, the President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mrs Clare Omatseye reminded the graduates, that “You are the ones raising the bar for healthcare, disruptive thinking is what you have learnt, disruptive innovation is what you require, you are the disruptors”. Dr. Enase Okonedo, Dean of Lagos Business School, and one of the guest speakers, encouraged the graduands to take the knowledge gained and go out there and make a difference.
The event was also attended by HLA Board Members including the former Honourable Minister of Health for State and CEO Big Win Philanthropy, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate. Closing the event, he charged the graduates to exercise leadership, in whatever state you find yourself. The executive lead of the HLA, Dr. Hala Daggash also reminded graduands to remain focused, assuring them of the commitment of the HLA staff and faculty to the vision of a vibrant and quality healthcare system, adding that the graduation ceremony, the graduands and the success of the program was a firm reminder of why the HLA was established.
The graduation ceremony also served as a platform for the launch of the HLA Alumni Association which has a primary purpose to increase the connection between the HLA and its Alumni, by increasing opportunities for forging alumni partnerships and collaboration, continuous professional development, and showcasing alumni achievements. Graduands and other Alumni spoke on their experiences on their respective programmes, thanking the faculty for their commitment. They also expressed their gratitude to the State and the HLA for providing such a great opportunity, remarking that the effort to change had begun and that they would not relent in their efforts.
