Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi becomes first Black president of the Canadian Medical Association
Ogunyemi says the role lets Black and racialized medical students see a path into leadership, and that his immigrant and Black perspective belongs in federal policy.
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Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi became president of the Canadian Medical Association in May, the first Black leader in the organization's 160-year history. He spoke with reporters about what the role means to him.
Ogunyemi is Nigerian-born and based in Newfoundland. He works as a professor, dermatologist, researcher and advocate. His research has examined how ethnic background affects health outcomes, and his presidency is focused on access, accountability and equity in Canada's health system, especially for underrepresented communities. He also pushes for more inclusive medical education and leadership.
In a recent paper, he looked at how dermatology leadership in Canada has historically excluded women and minority groups, and at how skin conditions appear across different skin colours. "People [are] being under-treated because dermatologists and other doctors were not used to seeing these diseases in people with darker skin," he said.
He is clear that his identity does not define his work. "It certainly doesn't define my work, but it is a lens in terms of being Black, being an immigrant… those are perspectives that I can bring to my work at increasingly high tables," he said. When meeting policymakers, he said, he wants federal policy to reflect those perspectives so everyone can benefit.
He also points to the effect the role has on others. "I have a lot of individuals come up to me and say they can really consider a career in medicine and a career in medical leadership because they see me in my role," he said.
