Melissa T. Ojemeni

Melissa T. Ojemeni RN, PhD, [she/her] is the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at Partners In Health(PIH), a global health and social justice organization committed to improving healthcare for marginalized communities. In her role, she provides strategic oversight and leadership to strengthen nursing and midwifery practice in eight countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and East, West and Southern Africa.

Melissa's unwavering commitment to improving nursing in low and middle-income countries helped secure an additional $6 million in funding for PIH's nursing team. This funding will directly benefit over 3000 nursing and midwifery students through academic scholarships, specialized training programs, mentorship, and educational initiatives. The funding will also support policy and advocacy efforts with ministries of health and regulatory partners aimed at increasing the visibility and representation of front-line workers in decision-making. Melissa played a pivotal role in expanding PIH's Global Nurse Executive Fellowship, a nine-month program that prepares nurses for executive positions. Under her guidance, the fellowship has expanded from three countries to eight, and its 20 alumni have improved care delivery for over 3000 patients.

With over 15 years of domestic and international clinical bedside nursing and teaching experience, Melissa is an influential mentor and educator, training countless students and guiding both novice and experienced nurses in their careers. She has contributed numerous publications to both nursing and health services literature focusing on nursing leadership, workforce development, and global health. She has previously served as a Meyers board member and is the co-director of the Global Nursing Caucus a global organization committed to improving the quality, and visibility of the care delivered by the nursing community.

Dr. Ojemeni holds a PhD from New York University’ Rory Meyers College of Nursing, an MA in international peace and conflict resolution from Arcadia University, and a BSN from Gwynedd Mercy University.