2026 Finalist – Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE
Some leaders transform systems. Others transform lives. Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE has spent nearly three decades doing both.
A nurse, midwife and health visitor, Ruth has dedicated her career to standing alongside families facing some of life’s toughest challenges. From supporting families living with sickle cell disorder to caring for pregnant women and mothers living with HIV, working with teenage parents, and supporting children at risk of school exclusion or child protection intervention, her work has always centred on those who need advocacy, compassion and opportunity the most.
Driven by a deep commitment to social justice, Ruth has consistently worked to reduce health inequalities and improve life chances for vulnerable children and families.
Yet Ruth’s impact reaches far beyond the communities she directly serves. A passionate champion for nursing and midwifery, she has dedicated much of her career to developing future leaders within the profession. Through initiatives including the Queen’s Nursing Institute Transformational Leadership programme and the Mary Seacole Leadership programme, she has mentored and supported countless nurses and midwives to step into leadership roles and shape the future of healthcare.
In 2020, during the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, Ruth created a global platform to amplify voices that are too often unheard. She launched NursesAndMidwivesTalk, an interview series celebrating nurses and midwives across the world.
What began as a passion project has grown into an international archive of more than 380 interviews with professionals from around 40 countries. By shining a spotlight on both senior leaders and frontline practitioners, the series highlights the extraordinary contribution nurses and midwives make to healthcare every day.
Ruth’s commitment to lifting others is also reflected in her work supporting internationally educated nurses and midwives in the UK. Recognising the barriers many face when building careers in a new country, she developed programmes offering mentorship, career guidance and practical support. Through this initiative, she has supported more than 1,000 nurses to progress professionally, build confidence and thrive within the UK healthcare system.
Her leadership has also influenced national conversations about health equity.
As a Churchill Fellow, Ruth explored trauma-informed approaches to supporting young people affected by violence and adverse childhood experiences, developing practical tools to support communities and professionals tackling youth violence.
She has also contributed to efforts addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes and created support initiatives for healthcare workers affected by COVID-19 and Long COVID.
In recognition of her exceptional contribution, Ruth was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to community nursing and to children and families. Today, as a Queen’s Nurse, educator, mentor and global advocate, Dr Ruth Oshikanlu continues to inspire change, proving that when compassion meets leadership, the impact can be felt across communities, professions and generations.
Dr Ruth Oshikanlu will be sharing her story with us at the 34th annual Inspiring Women Awards on 15th May 2026. Visit here for more information.