Mrs. Bolanle Kolajo is an accomplished Chief Nursing Officer with over 35 years healthcare experience. Twelve of those years are in leadership, management, operational and administrative experience in acute care. She is passionate about patient-centred care and committed to excellence.

During the early years of her career over 3.5 decades ago, she was privileged to work at St Nicholas Hospital Lagos, Nigeria, where she gained invaluable experience that allowed her to gain exposure to various departments within the hospital, working through the ranks before relocating to England. While at St Nicholas Hospital, she was actively involved in groundbreaking work, particularly in the implementation of the hospital’s first renal transplantation which marked a significant milestone in patient care.

In pursuit of continuous professional growth and development, she decided to relocate to the United Kingdom in 2000. This move presented an opportunity for her to expand her knowledge and skills even further. In the UK, she embarked on a journey of academic achievement, attaining a BSc Hons. in Nursing Practice from London South Bank University. This equipped her with a deeper understanding of evidence-based nursing practices and strengthened her ability to provide high-quality care to patients.

Driven by a desire to take on greater responsibilities and contribute to healthcare leadership, she pursued further education and obtained an MSc in Leadership, Management and Strategic Planning from City University London. This master’s program provided her with the necessary tools to lead and manage healthcare teams effectively, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and fostering a culture of excellence.

In the United Kingdom, she gained invaluable experience and honed her skills as a nurse leader. The exposure to different healthcare settings allowed her to develop a comprehensive understanding of various healthcare practices and protocols. She also served as a Matron for an impressive five-year tenure. As a Matron, she took on a pivotal role in overseeing the quality of patient care, managing nursing staff, and implementing strategic initiatives to elevate healthcare standards. During her time as a Matron, she continuously focused on improving patient outcomes, safety, and the overall patient experience. Some of the awards she received are Best Ward of the Year on two occasions and the Best Matron of the Month.

After 21 years of dedicated service in the UK’s healthcare system, she retired as Matron. However, her passion for nursing and her desire to contribute to the improvement of healthcare persisted. As a result, she is currently holding the esteemed position of Chief Nursing Officer at St Nicholas Hospital. In this role, she has been able to leverage her extensive experience and leadership skills to drive positive changes within the organisation.

In this role, she oversees nursing staff, drives quality improvement initiatives and fosters a culture of patient-centered care. She was involved in the hospital’s attainment of the prestigious recognition from The Council for Health Service Accreditation of South Africa (COHSASA) in 2022. She continues to spearhead various quality and safety projects each aimed at enhancing the care provided to her patients. Through these initiatives, she has instilled a culture of continuous improvement and evidence-based practices, ensuring that delivered healthcare services are aligned with the latest advancements in the field.

Her career journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence, patient advocacy and dedication to making a positive impact on healthcare. She remains passionate about creating a healthcare system that is driven by compassion, evidence-based practices and commitment to the wellbeing of patients and families.

It is in recognition of her contribution to national development in the field of Nursing that Mrs. Bolanle Kolajo was deemed worthy to be conferred with the Woman of Merit Gold Award which is part of the PSR National Awards.