UNIMED Teaching Hospital Celebrates CMD, Michael Gbala’s Elevation to Professorship
Press Release.
UNIMED Teaching Hospital CMD Attains Professorship
The Management of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo (UNIMEDTH), proudly announces that its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Michael Olumide Gbala, has been formally pronounced Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology by the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED).
This well-deserved elevation reflects his outstanding contributions to clinical medicine, medical education, research, and healthcare leadership spanning about three decades. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications in reputable local and international journals, as well as academic textbooks, underscoring a robust scholarly profile. Notably, he had earlier been recognized as a Professor by Wesley University, further affirming his academic distinction.
Professor Gbala’s career has been defined by excellence in Materno–Fetal Medicine, institutional development, and sustained advocacy for improved maternal and child health outcomes. The Management, staff, and entire UNIMEDTH community celebrate this remarkable achievement and reaffirm their confidence in his visionary leadership.
PROFILE OF
PROF. MICHAEL OLUMIDE GBALA, MBChB, FWACS, FWACOG, FICS, FCIHRM, AMCIPM
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Chief Medical Director, UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Ondo
Professor Michael Olumide Gbala is a distinguished Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with subspecialty expertise in Materno–Fetal Medicine, a seasoned medical educator, researcher, hospital administrator, and clergy.
He was born in Ondo to the family of Late Pa Phillip Elijah Osewmiju Gbala of Ode-Irele and Late Mrs. Kemiade Gbala (née Adegboyega) of Ondo Kingdom. He attended St. John Bosco Primary School and later Independence Grammar School, Ondo, where he distinguished himself academically, emerging as the best graduating student in both institutions. His team also secured first position in the JETS (Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists) competition among all science students in Ondo State in 1990, when the state still comprised the present-day Ekiti State.”
He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, graduating with Distinction in Biochemistry. He completed his postgraduate residency training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital where he obtained the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS). He is a fellow of the West African College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FWACOG) and the International College of Surgeons (FICS). He is an examiner for the West African College of Surgeons. While at Jos University Teaching Hospital, he served as Chief Resident Doctor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”
He also holds a Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington, USA. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management (FCIHRM), and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (AMCIPM). Additionally, he obtained a Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Bible College.
With over 26 years of experience and more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, Professor Gbala has made significant contributions to clinical practice, multidisciplinary care, and health policy development. He is one of the three pioneer consultants of the Medical Village in Ondo, established in 2012, which later evolved into the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) and the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH).”
His leadership roles include:
Former Chief Medical Director, Mother and Child Hospital, Ondo
One of the pioneer lecturers in UNIMED since 2015
Pioneer Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UNIMED
Pioneer Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), UNIMEDTH
Current Chief Medical Director, UNIMEDTH
Professor Gbala has played critical roles in the development of the University of Medical Sciences and the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital as a pioneer lecturer and consultant, respectively. He coordinated the first short certificate course held at UNIMED in 2016 and has participated in all professional course accreditations by both the National Universities Commission and professional licensing authorities during visitation exercises to the University. He has served on several committees, including those involved in the curricular development of various programmes including Health Information Management, at UNIMED. He was the pioneer Head of department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Medical sciences in 2017.
He was part of the University committee that established the PhD Programme in Clinical Medicine at UNIMED in collaboration with the West African College of Surgeons. He established the Medical Students and Graduate Observership Programme at UNIMEDTH and has promoted postgraduate residency training in several departments at UNIMEDTH.
He has supported the accreditation of medical and health programmes across institutions, including Elizade University, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Wesley University, Achievers University, and Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU). At UNIMEDTH, he established a peer-reviewed journal, Annals of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences Research (ACBSR), for the dissemination of medical research.
He has also served as a Visiting Professor/Associate at Wesley University and Elizade University. His broader leadership impact includes: establishment of clinical and academic programmes, coordination of institutional accreditations, strengthening inter-institutional medical training and collaboration.
Professor Gbala had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the committee that recommended the expansion of maternal and child health services across Ondo State in 2018, the report of which was subsequently adopted as the Abiyamo programme under the Ondo State Health Contributory Scheme.”
He also served as Secretary of the Technical Working Group of Ondo State’s COVID-19 Inter-ministerial Committee during the COVID 19 Pandemic. He is currently the UNIMEDTH’s Site Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO)! ACTION 3 Trial.
He served as a member of the five-man Technical Subcommittee on the harmonisation of the hospitals within the Medical Village and the University. He served as the medical consultant to the Edict Drafting Committee for the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in 2018.
He is a respected mentor, and a frequent speaker at national and international conferences. He is an energetic advocate against Maternal mortality.
Beyond Medicine, he is a devout Christian and a Senior Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where he serves as Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (APICP Admin), Ondo Province 2.
He is happily married to his devoted and highly supportive wife, Pastor Mrs. Patience Gbala, a Chartered Human Resource Manager whose contributions to his success are invaluable, and they are blessed with children.”
Professor Gbala’s elevation to professorship is not only a personal milestone but a proud moment for UNIMEDTH, Ondo State, and the Nigerian medical community at large, symbolizing excellence, dedication, and transformative leadership in healthcare.
