We were asked to share what Johanne has meant to us, and I have taken a stab at writing
a poem to reflect on how I feel about Johanne.
So it is entitled, Ode to Johanne.
Your brilliance lights the path for me to tread.
Your wisdom nurtures growth like sun to seed.
Your spirit inspires me to forge ahead.
My mentor, this I concede.
Your guidance shaped my worldview, and under your charge, my potential grew.
Your insights broadened horizons once unreached.
As a mother bird protects her young beneath, you've sheltered us students under your
caring wing, taught us to critically think, to care, to hope, believe.
Lessons in living, to you I sing.
From north to south, you span the globe.
Breaking barriers, elevating lives, advancing women's health, audacious your robe.
No one more worthy of acclaim than you, Johanne, eminent title to claim.
So here's a congratulations, a heartfelt cheer for the King's Medal bestowed upon someone
so dear.
With deep admiration, this poem a token of my esteem for you and eternal gratitude that
must not go unspoken.
Congratulations, Johanne.
Johanne has played a significant role in my life as a teacher, as a supporter, as a guide,
because she believed in me.
The support and the encouragement that Johanne made was really helpful and had an impact
on me.
So where I am today, I will say thanks to Johanne.
I am personally very grateful to you for the support you've given me to be where I
am.
I don't know whether you remember, but you and I met many years ago and one thing you
said to me was that you were already a professor, you were satisfied.
But you said in our relationship you'd be very happy if one day I became a full professor
of nursing.
And it happened.
I also want to remind you that you also appointed me or nominated me for the award of Doctor Honoris Causa,
who said to me you had nominated me because of the work I'd done on women's health
in Africa.
But I want to say to you today that you have done a lot in people's lives.
You have been very instrumental.
You've been inspirational.
Johanne has meant a great deal to me.
She is not just a friend, but also an inspiration.
Her unwavering dedication to improving women's health, both in Norway and around the world,
has shown me the true meaning of passion and commitment.
Her tireless efforts in the field of women's health have shown me the importance of selflessness
and dedication.
Johanne's work has touched countless lives, including my own, and I'm very privileged
to know her.
To describe Johanne in three words, I would say Johanne is a very resourceful person,
liberal in thinking, and a straightforward person.
She's very frank and honest in the way she deals with people.
And her open arms to people with diverse backgrounds, especially those with African origins,
how she has learned to accommodate them and work with them throughout these years.
If there are three words to describe Johanne, I will use humility, I will use humanity,
and I will also use perseverance.
Because the way she behaves with students is like a sister, a mother, a grandmother,
and so on.
For humanity, I think it's very difficult to match Johanne as you will see her trying
to help people, trying to support.
And when it comes to perseverance with Johanne, she will always have a solution to a problem.
And if she doesn't have a solution to a problem, then she's going to make a problem
because she will never give up.
She's a hard worker.
I would describe her as someone who is a mentor to me, a role model, and a fighter.
If I may have to describe Johanne in three words, among many others, the first one will
be compassionate.
She has a deep empathy for the well-being of women and has dedicated her life to improving
their health.
Secondly, tenacious.
Johanne's determination and perseverance in her work are truly remarkable.
Then inspiring.
Her dedication and achievements inspire everyone around her to make a positive impact on the
world.
Now there are three words I'd like to share that encapsulate the essence of Johanne and
embodies the spirit of the King's Medal, and they are visionary.
You have been forward thinking and pursuing reproductive health research and advocating
for women's health and policies and leading progress both in Norway and globally.
And you've done it brilliantly.
The second word is impactful.
Your pioneering research and clinical practice have had tangible impacts on health outcomes
for women and their families throughout the world.
And thirdly, inspiring.
Throughout your career, you have shown relentless drive and energy to improve women's lives
through scholarship, medicine, mentoring, and advocacy with little regard for any personal
glory.
I will congratulate Johanne for this, for over 20 years of collaboration between University
of Oslo and the Minister of Health of The Gambia, through which over 30 Gambians have
been trained from diploma to PhD level.
This would not have been possible without the assistance of Johanne.
So once again, I take this opportunity to congratulate Johanne for the award and wish
her all the best in her life.
Johanne, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for the awarding of this
medal, which I know is more than deserved, given your achievement both academically and
socially.
And this is a great honour for Johanne, but it's also a great honour for all the students
of Johanne who have been supported by her.
I want to say to you, you should enjoy this day, you should enjoy this award.
This award is not about you.
This award is about the lives you have touched here in Africa and many parts of the world.
You have sacrificed a lot.
You are not selfish.
You are always intentional, a very strategic woman.
You've done it.
Johanne, I just want to congratulate you on this auspicious occasion, on the award of
King's Medal that you are receiving for the work you've done on women's health.
I want to say to you once again, thank you.
I appreciate you.
You are inspirational to me and I also know that you are inspirational to many, many people,
including women here in Malawi.
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Johanne for receiving the
King's Medal of Merit.
This recognition is a testament to your unwavering dedication to improving women's health,
a cause that you have championed tirelessly.
Johanne, you are an inspiration to all of us and this award is a well-deserved acknowledgement
of your remarkable contributions.
Your work has made the world a better place for women and I couldn't be prouder to know
you, my dear.
A big congratulations.
You is always quick to say, well, I have my PhD, I have my degrees.
You guys have to do it for yourselves as well.
And that too motivated us to work hard.
She set very high standards and had expectations of us because she herself lived up to those
high standards.
We have so many fond memories of you, Johanne, and again, just wish we could be there to
celebrate in person with you, but we're sending over this virtual greeting.
Yeah.
So, indeed, this is our congratulatory messages to you, Johanne.
Well-deserved.
And of course, given the scope and depth of what you've done impacted the lives of students
across the globe, you are deserving to get this medal and congratulations to you on this
occasion.
Thank you.
Congratulations, Johanne.
We love you and miss you so very much.
Bye for now.
Bye.