Dr Victoria Bakare on Global Health, Becoming an NHS Medical Director, and Founding Occuvia Health

From the WHO to NHS executive leadership — while launching an occupational health startup for charities and NGOs.

In this episode of Out of Programme, Dr Victoria Bakare shares her unconventional journey from global health roles at the World Health Organization, UN, and World Bank, to becoming an Associate Medical Director in the NHS — all while founding Occuvia Health, a startup providing occupational health support for mission-driven organisations.

Whether you’re a clinician exploring career pivots, curious about NHS leadership, or interested in occupational medicine and entrepreneurship, Victoria’s story offers a refreshing, purpose-driven roadmap.

🕊️ How faith shaped her early path
🌍 Getting a WHO internship and breaking into global health
🏥 Becoming a Medical Director early in her career
⚙️ Pivoting into occupational medicine and launching Occuvia Health
🎓 Juggling an MBA, a startup, leadership, and family life

⏱ Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
1:30 – Victoria’s unconventional path into medicine
5:45 – Global health internships and the WHO
12:20 – Founding Global Health Jobs
17:40 – Returning to clinical practice and discovering joy in medicine
21:30 – Why she pursued occupational medicine
25:00 – Becoming an Associate Medical Director
31:00 – Building Acuvia Health
38:00 – Doing it all: startup, NHS, MBA, motherhood
46:30 – Victoria’s advice for designing a meaningful medical career

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