Renowned public health consultant, Dr. (Mrs) Abigail Kyei, has delivered a powerful keynote address to newly admitted nursing and midwifery students at Family Health University in the Greater Accra Region, urging them to embrace excellence, professionalism, and compassion in their training and future careers.

Speaking at the university’s matriculation ceremony held on Thursday, Dr. Kyei combined humor, personal experience, and practical insight to challenge students to reflect on their purpose for entering the healthcare profession.

She shared a personal connection to the institution through her long-standing relationship with the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr. Mrs. Patience Aniteye.

The two were pioneers of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at the University of Ghana in 1980 and were, at one point, the only female students in their class.

“In our final year, we were just two,” she recounted, drawing laughter from the audience.

“When one of us was absent, it meant 50 percent of the class was missing.”

Addressing the students, Dr. Kyei emphasised that nursing and midwifery go beyond career choices, describing them as a calling that demands dedication and sacrifice.

“Not everyone is called to care for patients at odd hours or support mothers during labour,” she said.

“But you are here because you have been called to serve.”

She stressed that excellence in healthcare is built through consistent discipline rather than isolated achievements.

According to her, true professionalism is demonstrated in moments when no one is watching, as even minor errors in the field can have serious consequences.

Dr. Kyei also highlighted compassion as the cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery, noting that while patients may forget treatments, they will always remember how they were treated.

On leadership, she encouraged students to take initiative early, explaining that leadership is not defined by titles but by actions and example.

She acknowledged the challenges ahead, cautioning that the journey would be demanding, but ultimately rewarding.

“There will be difficult days,” she said. “But when a patient thanks you for making a difference, you will understand why you chose this path.”

She concluded her address with a call for students to strive to impact lives positively, even if one person at a time.