By: Sabrina Miller, Content Strategy Director
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, John Jegede Pharm.D.’25 always knew he wanted to make a difference in healthcare. In secondary school, he stood at a crossroads, choosing between business, science, or the arts. “My dad was a businessman, and I was good at business, so it was definitely an option,” he recalled. But everything changed one day when his older sister, a Doctor of Pharmacy student, helped him solve a particularly tough math problem. “I felt like I solved world hunger,” John laughed. “That moment pushed me to pursue science.”
Initially, John dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. But after the tragic loss of his sister, his path took a different turn. “That broke me. We would work together, and obviously, I can’t do that anymore,” he said. “I just felt like I was continuing my sister’s legacy.”
As an international student at Notre Dame of Maryland University and navigating college in a new country with limited resources, John faced more than his fair share of challenges. “It’s been really, really tough. I stumbled a lot in college,” he admitted. Yet through every setback, he remained anchored by faith. “I believe in God. He’s been faithful through the turmoil and turbulent seasons.”
Now, with graduation around the corner, John feels like he’s stepping into victory. “The limited resources aren’t as limited as they used to be,” he said. Through hard work and determination, he’s held several roles as a pharmacy intern and a tutor.
When asked what advice he would give to fellow international students, John didn’t hesitate. “Be resilient. Never give up. Work hard. Believe in God. Always pray. There’s always someone willing to help. Never be shy about asking questions.”
John’s journey hasn’t ended with a diploma. His ultimate dream is to specialize in transplant pharmacy. A passion that began after attending a guest lecture. “A whole human being donating a kidney to another human being… that moved me, massively,” he said. Shortly after the lecture, John received an email about a transplant internship at Johns Hopkins and he was thrilled to be selected.
Throughout his time at NDMU, John found guidance and encouragement from faculty members who believed in him. During his first year, he struggled to understand a cardiac unit before a major exam. In a moment of desperation, he emailed Dr. James Culhane at 5pm, begging for just 30 minutes of help. “Dr. Culhane replied immediately and told me to come to his office,” John remembered. “Thanks to him, I got a 92% on that test.” He also praised Dr. Mohammed for going above and beyond to ensure students understood the material. “That’s what being a teacher is, and I really, really appreciate him for that.”
Reflecting on his journey, John remains grounded in gratitude and purpose. “I’m not taking this opportunity for granted. I don’t feel like I’m here by mistake. I believe God put me here and He hasn’t let me down. I also want to say a big thank you to my family, they have been extremely supportive and the Dean of Pharmacy, Dr. Matthew Shimoda. He’s been very transparent and helpful throughout my whole journey.”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
