Omolola (Lola) Adeoye-Olatunde, Pharm.D., MS, is a Darr-Chaney Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Purdue University College of Pharmacy and the founder and principal investigator of the Health Equity Research (HER) Lab. She also serves as the director of Community Engagement and Evaluation for the Center for Health Excellence Quality and Innovation (CHEQI) and co-director of the Community Health Workforce Development Institute (CHWDI) at Purdue University. Adeoye-Olatunde earned her Pharm.D. degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University in 2016. She completed a postgraduate year one (PGY1) community-based residency at Kroger Pharmacy. She received advanced training with a master’s of science degree in health services, outcomes, and policy and a community practice research fellowship at Purdue University in 2020.

As the founder and principal investigator of HER Lab, Adeoye-Olatunde leads efforts to design, implement, and evaluate public health interventions for communities that are under-resourced. Her projects address adverse social determinants of health, promote accessible health services, and support culturally responsive solutions to public health challenges. She engages local, national, and global organizations to co-create sustainable programs meeting community needs. In her roles at CHEQI and CHWDI, Adeoye-Olatunde fosters interdisciplinary partnerships, mentors students and collaborators, and drives workforce development initiatives. Her projects focus on translating research into actionable, community-centered public health solutions. Adeoye-Olatunde is dedicated to addressing systemic barriers in public health, advocating for policy transformation, and leading innovative programs that improve access and mitigate health disparities. Her multifaceted responsibilities highlight her commitment to creating and sustaining impactful public health interventions that align with the unique needs of communities served. Her work is funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the Indiana Department of Health, and she has earned multiple accolades, including the Top 40 Under 40 Health Leader recognition by the National Minority Quality Forum, the Bowl of Hygeia Award, and the Academy Health Alice S. Hersh Emerging Leader Award.

Adeoye-Olatunde’s career has been most influenced by her father, a Nigerian immigrant and the first Black independent pharmacy owner in Decatur, Illinois. Coming from humble beginnings as the eldest of 21 children, he pursued his education with determination and defied all odds to build a legacy of service and resilience. Despite facing discrimination and predictions of failure because of his accent, he and his wife founded Victory Pharmacy, a trusted health care hub, particularly for the Black community in Decatur. For more than 15 years, he ensured community members had access to health care by going directly to where they were. He eventually expanded his business to Calumet City before retiring. Her father’s journey instilled in her a passion for serving communities that are under-resourced and providing accessible, community-centered health care, which she now pursues through her roles in education and research. His faith, determination, and commitment to community care are principles she carries forward in her work every day.

Through her roles at Purdue University, Adeoye-Olatunde has been privileged to transcend traditional health care roles by fostering interprofessional collaboration and addressing health disparities. As director of Community Engagement and Evaluation for the CHEQI and co-director of CHWDI, she collaborates on initiatives that integrate pharmacy and public health disciplines to tackle complex local health challenges. Across her roles, there is an overarching focus on addressing unmet needs through interdisciplinary collaboration in communities that are under-resourced. She has the privilege of engaging students, faculty, and community partners in transformative projects that prioritize reciprocal relationships, equitable resource distribution, and shared decision-making. Key initiatives including the Community Health Access Model Partnerships and the innovative interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Clinic exemplify how interdisciplinary collaboration creates real-world impact. These projects address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity, and substance use while also providing cardiovascular care and addressing social determinants of health challenges. The outcomes include improved access to care, enhanced preventive services, and better health outcomes for populations that are under-resourced. By embracing a community-first approach and leveraging interprofessional collaboration, she works to build sustainable systems that transcend traditional roles, advancing accessible health care and improving outcomes for communities that are under-resourced.

Creating a safe environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and heard is a cornerstone of her leadership philosophy. Recently, Adeoye-Olatunde completed a DEI Leadership Certificate program, during which she developed a leadership legacy statement that encapsulates her approach: “As a leader, I strive to create a lasting environment of community, excellence, and possibility, so that we feel valued, supported, and equipped to do impactful work, achieve our individual and collective goals, while enjoying the process.”

She brings this statement to life by fostering inclusivity among racially, ethnically, intellectually, and culturally diverse team members through intentional efforts. This includes having open, authentic conversations that acknowledge and embrace differences. In addition, she invests in external professional resources to equip both herself and her team with the skills and tools to navigate and celebrate diversity effectively. She prioritizes creating a joyful and engaging work environment. Humor is a big part of how she connects with her team because it builds camaraderie and eases tension. They celebrate both small and large milestones—whether it’s completing a project or simply making progress—and often share meals to mark the occasion. These practices foster a sense of belonging and connection, making the process of achieving goals as meaningful and rewarding as the outcomes themselves.