Bolu Ogunyemi
Bolu Ogunyemi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Boluwaji Ogunyemi 1986 (age 39–40) |
| Education | Memorial University of Newfoundland University of British Columbia University of Western Ontario Rotman School of Management |
| Occupation | dermatologist |
| Title | President of the Canadian Medical Association (2026–2027) |
| Predecessor | Margot Burnell |
Boluwaji Ogunyemi FRCPC (born 1986) is a Nigerian-born Canadian dermatologist based in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2024, he was elected president of the Canadian Medical Association and took office in 2026, making him the first black president of the association and among its youngest, serving at 39 years old.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit source]Boluwaji Ogunyemi has two siblings.[3] In the late 1980s and at the age of 11, his family immigrated to Canada, where they settled in St. John's.[3][4][5][6] His father became the first neurology and epileptology professor of Newfoundland at the Memorial University of Newfoundland while his mother ran one of the first stores for African hair care and accessories.[3][5][6]
In 2013, he completed medical school in Memorial University and received his Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada FRCPC certification in dermatology at the University of British Columbia in 2018. He is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology.[7] He had received a joint honours degree in sociology and medical sciences at the University of Western Ontario as well as completing the Leadership Program at Rotman School of Management in Toronto.[7][8] In 2024, he completed a Fellowship in Health Services Improvement at the University of Alberta.[7][9]
Career
[edit source]Since 2018, Ogunyemi had been practicing dermatology in a specialist clinic in St. John's and also runs a regular clinic in Labrador City.[1][7][9] In 2020, Ogunyemi became the Assistant Dean of Social Accountability in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University for three years.[7][9] He had also been the member of the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association for three years.[10][6][9] He became a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Doctors for Medicare, the Resident Doctors of British Columbia, and the Canadian Dermatology Association.[4][9] Furthermore, he also was a member of the Public Health Ethics Consultative Group in the Public Health Agency of Canada.[9]
He served as a member of the Governance Committee of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).[8][10] In 2024, Ogunyemi was elected president-elect of the CMA, following a majority vote against Susan MacDonald.[10] Nigerian president Bola Tinubu congratulated Ogunyemi on being elected, commending his qualifications at the job.[11][12] On 29 May 2026,[13] he officially assumed president of the association, following the completion of Margot Brunell's term, making him the first black person and among the youngest person to assume presidency at the association.[1][14] Courtney Howard was installed as the next President-elect of the association, planning to replace him by 2027.[2] He also said that he was the first Memorial University alumnus to be elected as such.[1][5]
Awards and recognitions
[edit source]In 2017, Ogunyemi was awarded the Harry Jerome Award for Health Sciences.[15][16]
References
[edit source]- 1 2 3 4 Smellie, Sarah (1 June 2026). "Canadian Medical Association's first Black president brings N.L. resilience to role". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
- 1 2 "Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is the new president of the CMA | Canadian Healthcare Technology". Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Ogunyemi, Boluwaji (12 March 2018). "Proust questionnaire: Boluwaji Ogunyemi, MD". British Columbia Medical Journal. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Harron, Janet (5 February 2025). "Memorial alumnus first Black president of Canadian Medical Association | Faculty of Medicine". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Boluwaji Ogunyemi is set to become the Canadian Medical Association's first Black president". Ron Fanfair. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Prasad, Aarathi (2025). "Boluwaji Ogunyemi: challenging the status quo for better health". The Lancet. 405 (10478): 534. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00249-1. PMID 39956115.
- 1 2 "Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, President | CMA". www.cma.ca. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Reporter 2, T. S. J. (7 December 2024). "Nigerian doctor, Bolu Ogunwumiju becomes 1st black president of Canada medical association". The Street Journal. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - 1 2 3 "Election results: Newfoundland and Labrador members elect Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi as CMA president-elect nominee | CMA". www.cma.ca. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ Onanuga, Bayo (Special Adviser to the President) (9 December 2024). "Tinubu commends Nigerian elected president of Canadian Medical Association". Premium Times (Press release). ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ Reporter 3, T. S. J. (9 December 2024). "Tinubu applauds Bolu Ogunyemi on election as Canadian Medical Association president". The Street Journal. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Ojerinde, Dayo (23 August 2026). "Election of first Black CMA president shines light on historical biases in medicine - New Canadian Media". Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is the new president of the Canadian Medical Association | CMA". www.cma.ca. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Harry Jerome award winners have excelled in their fields". Ron Fanfair. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "2017 Recipients". Harry Jerome Awards. Retrieved 11 July 2026.