Why Every Healthcare Professional Needs a Personal Brand

It has been a minute since I actually sat down to think and reflect. Life has been hectic—work, projects, kids, the whole thing. But today, I want to touch on something I mentioned briefly in my last blog post: one of the 15 hard truths about working in the corporate world, especially in healthcare settings like clinics, hospitals, or even community roles.

The truth is this—your personal brand is your safety net.

Let us break it down.

What is a Personal Brand?

Your personal brand is simply how people perceive you—both online and offline. Think of it this way: your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room. It is what you are known for, what you are associated with, and what makes you different from everyone else doing the same job.

Say what you like about me, but most people know me as a physiotherapist who helps other physiotherapists. That is intentional. That is branding.

If someone mentions your name, what comes to mind? Are you the MSK expert? The go-to diabetes nurse? Or are you just… someone who works in healthcare?

Why Does a Personal Brand Matter?

Because it protects you. Things can change quickly in your 9–5. Contracts end. Clinics close. New management takes over. When that happens, your reputation—your personal brand—is what keeps doors open.

A strong personal brand brings visibility, recognition, and opportunities. It lets you charge more, negotiate better, and step into leadership roles faster.

Daniel Priestley calls it becoming a “key person of influence.” Someone known for their expertise in a space. Someone people trust, listen to, and want to work with. Just look at someone like Aproko Doctor. He has built a brand around being a trusted health voice in Nigeria. That kind of influence makes people want to partner with him, hire him, or even build around him.

The same principle applies whether you are a nurse, physio, pharmacist, or doctor. If people know and respect your work, opportunities will find you. Your personal brand becomes career insurance.

So How Do You Build One?

Here is the part most people overthink. It is not about being famous. It is about being intentional.

1. Know yourself
   Get clear on your values, strengths, and long-term interests. Are you passionate about clinical excellence? Patient education? Leadership? Innovation? Start there.

2. Define your niche and audience
   Do you want to be known by patients? Employers? Other clinicians? Your audience shapes how you communicate. If you want to attract patients, your content will look different than if you are targeting recruiters or healthcare founders.

3. Craft your message
   What do you do, what makes you different, and what value do you bring? A simple statement like:
   “I am a physiotherapist helping people stay active and pain-free through evidence-based rehab, while building the digital future of physiotherapy.”
   That is a message with direction and clarity.

4. Show up online
   Your online presence is your digital storefront. Start with LinkedIn—it is your professional landing page. Share insights, wins, reflections, and lessons learned. If you are comfortable, build a personal website too. It is your home on the internet. I started mine at adebolabadiru.co.uk. Twitter (or X) is great for quick thoughts and conversations, especially if you like that format.

5. Be consistent, but flexible
   Your brand is a living thing. As you grow, evolve, and learn, let your brand grow too. Update your tagline, shift your focus, or refresh your tone if needed. That flexibility shows maturity, not confusion.

6. Network and collaborate
   Engage with others. Comment, connect, co-create. Visibility is not just about posting. It is about being part of conversations that matter.

If you do not tell your own story, someone else will tell it for you—and they might not get it right.

Your personal brand is not a vanity project. It is your professional footprint. It lets you control how you are seen, build trust, and open doors that your CV alone cannot.

Start small. Start now. Just start.

Now if you are a career physiotherapist looking to grow, needing support with CV writing, interviews, or building strong supporting information for job applications, I offer mentorship services to help you succeed. Please reach out and I will be happy to help for a price