Gail D. Hughes
Discover how Gail Hughes’ mentorship empowers individuals in academia, healthcare, and beyond.
Testimonials
"Working with Prof Gail Hughes has been an absolute blessing and a journey adorned with wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support. She embodies the epitome of mentorship, generously sharing her expertise, time, and resources to nurture the blossoming of my Scribble Meditation Project. Her belief in my growth journey and the potential of my project has been a beacon of encouragement throughout.
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Prof Hughes not only invested her knowledge but also her unwavering faith in me as an individual, igniting a spark of confidence that propelled me forward. Her consistent motivation conveyed through heartfelt text messages and curated resource links and emails, has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my endeavour.
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Prof Hughes offers guidance, fostering an environment where ideas flourish and dreams take flight. To express gratitude feels insufficient in capturing the depth of appreciation held for Prof Hughes. Her guidance has not only enriched my project but also enhanced my perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of mentorship."
~​Abigail Florence
South African artist and founder of Scribble Meditation Project
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"When I reached a point in my career where I felt stuck and uncertain about progressing, I remembered attending a lecture on traditional herbal medicine at the University of Namibia’s School of Medicine eight years ago. The speaker impressed me with her expertise in a field few had mastered, similar to my own situation.
Seeking reassurance, I found prof Hughes’ email and contacted her. To my surprise, she was approachable and supportive. Her guidance has been invaluable, confirming that I am on the right path and should be patient.
She has stayed in touch, following my progress ever since. I am forever grateful for her support as my career mentor."
~Dr Penehafo Haitamba-Shindume
Founder and Practitioner at: www.happyhealth.com.na
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"I have had the pleasure of working with Gail, which has been nothing short of transformative. Her expertise, developed across various countries and cultures, brings a fresh perspective to every project.
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What truly sets her apart is not just her skill but her genuine passion shining through in everything she does. Whether providing consultancies, mentoring, or delivering presentations, Gail consistently goes above and beyond, providing results that truly empower and inspire.
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Her ability to adapt to different environments and customising her approach is truly remarkable. Working with Gail is not just about getting the job done but also embarking on a journey of growth and success.
I wholeheartedly recommend Gail to anyone in need of exceptional professional services."
~Karin Cupido Eriksson - Sweden
Co-founder - Mamma till Mamma: www.mammatillmamma.com
"Professor Gail Hughes is my mentor and woman of strength. She has been incredible, adding value to my life and assisting me with my Teenmoms project by connecting me with wonderful people.
She also came to speak to Teenmoms at our events and supported me mentally, as running a project for vulnerable moms often affects one’s mental health."
~Ntombesizwe Basso- South Africa
Founder : Inyatyambo Yesizwe Teenmoms Organisation
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"As an Afro-Brazilian PhD student of literature and culture focusing on translation at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil, I have been blessed by Professor Gail’s wisdom and endeavour to make people aware of self-care intertwined with epidemiology.
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She taught me that I need to fully take care of myself regardless of the governmental health policies. She always keeps telling everyone that despite their circumstances, something can be done. Professor Gail has increased my outlook towards health, with longevity being one of my main goals. Also, taking care of my mind was something she reinforced for me to do daily.
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I am grateful to Professor Gail for teaching me many lessons and hope she can continue raising more people’s awareness through her work, inspiring them through her unique existence as an outstanding, beautiful and influential human being."
~Jeferson Santos do Socorro-Brazil
Postgraduate student and translator
"Having Prof Gail Hughes as my mentor has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. In the past 14 years, she has been more than just a guiding light, offering support, wisdom, and encouragement every step of the way.
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Her unique blend of kindness, understanding, and strength helped me navigate challenges while reminding me of my ability and potential. Her capability to listen without judgment and offer advice is practical and empowering, making all the difference in my personal and professional journey.
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Prof Hughes has an exceptional ability to see potential in others and inspire confidence. Her insightful advice and willingness to share her experiences have provided me with a clear roadmap for overcoming challenges and achieving my goals.
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What sets her apart is her genuine care and commitment to my success. Whether offering constructive feedback, celebrating my triumphs or encouraging me to reach higher, she has always been there with thoughtful and actionable support.
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Her unwavering belief in me, paired with her warm, approachable nature, has made her mentorship feel like so much more—a bond I deeply cherish. Prof Gail has been a sister in spirit and a friend I can always count on.
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Thank you, Prof Hughes, for being a relentless advocate for women and a catalyst for change. Your impact on my life is immeasurable."
~Dr. Seyi Aboyade -England
PhD Researcher/Scientist
"While on a research trip with a colleague and friend who had won the Fulbright scholarship, Professor Gail Hughes joined us to share her expertise in M’bour, Senegal, in 2015. Gail’s research at the University of the Western Cape excited me, and I found her absolutely brilliant, well-travelled, well-rounded, and down-to-earth. I could ask her anything and get a well-thought-out, politically balanced reply that is ethical and morally sound.
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Over the years, this amazing woman has come to be what I call an “aunt-sister-friend” and mentor. She has been pivotal in helping me to understand the competitive inter-workings of the public health field better. She is very compassionate and a powerful source of support. My life has changed in so many wonderful ways since that eventful trip.
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I am so grateful for every opportunity I have to communicate or visit with her because she liberally shares her wisdom, and I always walk away from all of our interactions with ample knowledge, a renewed sense of self and peace of mind."
~Trickera T Sims, MSN, MSPH, RN, FNP-BC, CNM, USA
Family Nurse Practitioner/Midwife
Public Health Advocate
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"I have been fortunate to have worked on a number of academic and research outputs with Prof Hughes, granting me the opportunity to learn from her. Her mentorship has been invaluable to me and many others – some of whom I have met and have seen her commitment to contributing to the growth and leadership potential of younger professionals.
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Prof Hughes is passionate about giving back to the larger community – sharing her wealth of knowledge, wisdom, work and personal experiences.
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Drawing from these experiences, Prof encourages work and engagement of very high quality. In sessions to talk about career growth and progress with her, I have benefited from her advice and appreciate her honest feedback and insights into many subjects. She also grasps different contexts and situations and can present relatable cases to enhance the mentee’s understanding. While her work experiences across academic, corporate and research settings provide her with insight, her kindness and generosity in sharing such insights for other people’s growth is very helpful.
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One of Prof’s many appealing qualities is her ability to relate to and engage with people across different ages, society and contextual settings, providing and supporting their growth, personally and professionally. She imparts knowledge to various groups. For instance, high school children, teen moms, and academics and researchers in different capacities, to mention a few. I am constantly intrigued and awed by her amazing and strategic insight into our discussion topics and appreciate her belief and promotion of high quality and professional standards.
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Prof Hughes has provided feedback on career growth strategies, many of which I am applying today, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her again for her significant impact on my professional growth and aspirations. Thank you for being an exceptional mentor and for making a great positive impact on my and other individual’s growth and development."
~Dr Oluchi Mbamalu
Senior Lecturer, Division of Global Surgery, University of Cape Town,
and Pharmacist South Africa
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"I want to thank Gail for the consultancy she provided regarding a career-changing decision I had to make. I was confused and scared to accept a job offer in a place I did not know. However, Gail was there to guide me every step of the way, including reviewing my contract.
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She made everything clear and gave me an insight into all the benefits I was missing. Today, I stand proud of myself for taking my career to the next step with her assistance and guidance. How she does it, I will never know! I highly recommend Gail for her professionalism."
~Dorothy Panashe Muchenje - Saudi Arabia
Health and Beauty Specialist/Technician
"Dr Gail D. Hughes – A Visionary Consultant and Expert in Epidemiology**
I have had the privilege of working with Dr Hughes for over 30 years, and it is with great enthusiasm that I offer my highest recommendation as she embarks on an exciting new career as a consultant. Dr Hughes is nothing short of exceptional.
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As one of only five epidemiologists in the United States at a time, their expertise has been a guiding light in the field of public health, especially in the areas of HIV seroprevalence and healthcare systems optimization. I had the pleasure of working alongside Dr Hughes on the premier HIV seroprevalence studies within San Mateo County’s Public Health Department, where their keen insights and innovative approaches were pivotal in shaping the direction and success of the studies.
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What sets Dr Hughes apart is not just her vast technical expertise but her ability to seamlessly connect public health with business acumen. I have consulted with Dr Hughes on several business decisions that helped improve operational efficiency, boost productivity, and ultimately increase revenue for healthcare delivery systems across California, Texas, and Arizona.
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Her unique perspective, blending scientific rigour with strategic foresight, resulted in tangible gains for healthcare organisations and professionals. Dr Hughes’ work has been instrumental in helping healthcare systems adapt to new challenges, and their contributions have directly impacted the careers of many. Through her guidance, executives have been appointed to leadership roles, and professionals have advanced their education, culminating in terminal degrees.
Having travelled the world, Dr Hughes brings a global perspective to every project she undertakes, combining her wealth of knowledge with a deep sense of compassion and an unwavering commitment to improving public health on a broad scale. Her experience, professionalism, and genuine passion for the work will make her an invaluable asset to any organisation or individual seeking consulting services.
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I am excited to see the continued impact Dr Hughes will undoubtedly have in this next chapter of her career. Her vast experience, coupled with a deep understanding of public health and business strategy, will make her an indispensable partner to anyone fortunate enough to work with her. Should you have the opportunity to work with Dr Hughes, consider yourself in exceptional hands."
~Dr Joyce Al-Islam, DNP, MHA, BSN, RN, PHN, CMCN, NPC
Lecturer, San Francisco State University School of Nursing
Utilization Review Manager/Interim Utilization Management Director,
Contra Costa Health Plan