Dr Oluwatosin Adisa joined the hospice team last month, having previously worked as a physician in Nigeria.
She moved to the United Kingdom in 2023 to undertake a Masters in healthcare management at Swansea University.
After completing the course, Dr Adisa spent time in Northern Ireland before moving to Greenock to take on her new role at the hospice.
As specialty doctor in palliative medicine, she will work alongside Dr Narmadha Kali Vanan to improve health outcomes and support patients with complex care needs.
She told the Tele that she was drawn to the role due to her background in family medicine, which she believes will benefit those using hospice services.
Dr Adisa said: “It really appealed to me – offering palliative care and working with a multidisciplinary team.
“It’s a learning curve for me seeing how medicine can feature in the community as well. It’s something fascinating for me as a person too.
“As a family physician, you look at holistic management, not just the physical illness.
“We want to look at the social circumstances, the finances, the psychological support – which all play a big role in the health of an individual.
“You have to look at the circumstances around and then offer treatment. You will have better outcomes that way.
“It’s exciting for me coming into a new place and see how I can help overall.”
Dr Oluwatosin Adisa has taken up the role of speciality doctor at Ardgowan Hospice (Image: Ardgowan Hospice)
Dr Adisa’s arrival at the hospice coincides with a £100,000 refurbishment which will see considerable changes to the charity’s inpatient unit in Nelson Street.
This includes the installation of new wet rooms, an additional family lounge and a new therapy room.
Earlier this month, palliative care nursing service manager Angela McKell described the revamp as a ‘fresh start’ for everyone at the hospice.
Angela told the Tele that a number of improvements have been made ahead of the unit’s reopening on September 17.
(Image: George Munro)
Despite joining the team while the unit is closed, Dr Adisa says she has been busy visiting patients in the community, as well as working alongside Ardgowan Hospice’s wellbeing team.
She added: “The environment is going through refurbishment, so everyone is learning new things at the moment.
“Hopefully, it should all help me settle in better when the inpatient unit opens.
“We will have a new consultant as well, so hopefully we can share ideas and see how best we can provide services.”
The specialty doctor role is the first position Dr Adisa has held since her move to the UK three years ago.
She initially trained in Nigeria, completing her first degree in 2010 and beginning her residency in 2014.
Having spent time working in mission hospitals, she is passionate about ensuring necessary services are available to everyone – regardless of their social and economic background.
(Image: George Munro)
The 38-year-old continued working as a family physician until 2023, when she decided to take a break from clinical practice to complete her Masters in Wales.
She praised the people of Greenock and her colleagues at the hospice for the warm welcome she has received since moving to the town.
The doctor added: “I see the community as welcoming.
“My first point of call was the nursing team here, they’ve been very good. All the staff have been very good.
“I also live around here so I’ve met very nice people so far.”