Who I Am & What I Do
For years, I worked at the frontline of healthcare—treating patients, solving problems, and making an impact in individual lives. But I always felt there was something missing. I wasn’t just drawn to the hands-on clinical work; I was fascinated by the systems, the decision-making, the strategy behind it all.
I realised that healthcare doesn’t just need great clinicians—it needs great leaders, innovators, and strategists who understand both the frontline and the boardroom. But moving beyond the clinical role isn't straightforward. There's no clear path, no manual that tells you how to shift from the labour force to the decision-makers, the policy shapers, the ones who truly drive change.
So, I started rewriting my own script. I stepped into governance, taking on a Board Trustee role to learn how decisions at the highest levels are made. I immersed myself in strategic leadership, operations, and quality improvement, earning certifications in Lean Six Sigma, PRINCE2, and the NHS Leadership Academy. I joined Rehabify, a health tech startup, as Head of Strategic Development, helping shape a new digital healthcare ecosystem that connects physiotherapists to patients and makes learning more accessible for professionals.
But leadership isn’t just about strategy and governance—it’s also about lifting others. I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of physiotherapists and healthcare professionals, guiding students and early-career clinicians through their professional journeys. Whether it’s through one-on-one mentorship, career guidance, or speaking engagements, I help others navigate the challenges of professional growth. Recently, I was invited as a guest lecturer at the University of Suffolk, where I spoke to final-year physiotherapy students about advancing their careers beyond the clinic. (Check out my blog for key insights from that session.)
And what I’ve learned is this: you don’t have to stay in the box the system puts you in.
If we want to create real impact in healthcare—if we want to build systems that are sustainable, efficient, and patient-centered—we need to stop seeing leadership as something that happens to us and start shaping it for ourselves.
Leadership isn’t about waiting for an invitation to the table. It’s about learning the language, stepping into the conversations, and making ourselves impossible to ignore.
So here I am, bridging the gap between clinical expertise and strategic leadership, reshaping healthcare by focusing on governance, digital innovation, and operational excellence—while also helping others take their first steps toward leadership.
If that sounds ambitious, consider the alternative: staying stuck in a system that doesn’t change, burning out while pushing against inefficiencies, waiting for someone else to fix it.
Introduction
From the early days of hands-on physiotherapy practice to my current role as a strategic leader in healthcare and governance, my career has been defined by continuous growth, adaptability, and a passion for systemic impact.
I started my journey in musculoskeletal physiotherapy (MSK), working directly with patients, refining my clinical expertise, and understanding the complexities of healthcare delivery at the frontline. But over time, I realized that real transformation in healthcare happens beyond the clinic—it happens at the intersection of strategy, governance, digital innovation, and policy-making.
Today, I am:
✔ Head of Strategic Development at Rehabify – A health tech startup revolutionizing physiotherapy access and professional education.
✔ A Board Trustee at Supporting Healthcare Heroes UK – Providing governance oversight, policy direction, and strategic leadership.
✔ An NHS First Contact Practitioner (FCP) MSK Physiotherapist – Leading service improvement, mentoring, and quality-driven care delivery.
✔ A Continuous Learner – Currently pursuing an MSc in Sports & Exercise Medicine and a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership (leading to an MBA) to strengthen my strategic decision-making skills.
This journey has been a blend of clinical expertise, strategic operations, governance, and digital transformation, positioning me for C-suite leadership in healthcare.
Early Life & Leadership Beginnings:
It is often said that leaders are born and not made. While I do not fully subscribe to this belief, I must admit that leadership and management have always aligned with me, even from an early age. In secondary school, I was the first and only student at the time to hold two leadership positions simultaneously—serving as both Poultry Prefect and Head Boy. This dual responsibility set the stage for my journey into leadership and governance.
Even after university, my leadership journey continued. In my first job as an intern physiotherapist at Usumanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, within just two weeks of starting, I was nominated by my colleagues as Chief Intern. It was a position I had not sought but had to step up into, liaising with clinicians and senior physiotherapists, effectively bridging the gap between interns and senior leadership.
One of my most memorable achievements as Chief Intern was leading the successful push for the creation of a common room for physiotherapy interns. While this may seem like a small accomplishment to some, it was a foundation for greater change—a wake-up call to what could be achieved with dedication and teamwork. It was also a testament to my ability to advocate for the needs of my team above my own and to create lasting improvements for physiotherapists who would come after us
Fill free to contact me!
Feel free to reach out for inquiries or collaboration opportunities. I'm excited to connect and share insights in physiotherapy and leadership.
Connect
+447785707529
Reach
info@adebolabadiru.co.uk