NIGERIAN-born clinical associate professor of medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Bolu Ogunyemi has been elected as president of Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
Trojaninsights reports that Ogunyemi becomes the first black person to be elected to the position in 158 years of the association, after defeating his opponent, Susan MacDonald.
Ofunyemi who is a dermatologist at St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Labrador will represent CMA in the media, provincial and territorial medical associations, government, and other partner organisations in Canada.
He served as the inaugural assistant dean of social accountability from 2020 to 2023 and is also a member of Labrador Medical Association Board of Directors.
The Nigerian completed his fellowship in health services improvement in 2024 from University of Alberta’s School of Public Health.
Ogunyemi will serve as president-elect, pending his approval by CMA’s general council in May 2025, when he will become the association’s president for a one-year term.
Speaking after the election, the new appointee promised to use his position to advocate for a robust healthcare system in the country.
He said, “My track record in medical leadership, spanning 15 years, has provided me with expertise on pressing issues facing our healthcare system today.”
“As CMA president-elect, I will advocate for a unified and respected profession, a robust health care system, and healthier communities.”
