In December 2024, history was made in Canada, as Professor Boluwaji Ogunyemi was elected president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). His election shattered a 158-year-old glass ceiling, making him the first Black president-elect of the prestigious organisation. It was a historic and defining moment—not just for Ogunyemi and the Canadian healthcare system, but also for all those who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare.
This historic milestone places Ogunyemi at the helm of an organisation representing over 90,000 physicians. More importantly, his election comes at a critical time when the Canadian healthcare system faces challenges such as physician burnout, healthcare access disparities, and the need for systemic reform. The president-elect has promised to use his position to address these issues, stressing that his leadership will focus on unifying the medical profession, ensuring equitable healthcare policies, and inspiring the next generation of doctors.
“My track record in medical leadership has provided me with expertise on pressing issues facing our healthcare system today,” he said. “As CMA president-elect, I will advocate for a unified and respected profession, robust healthcare system and healthier communities.”
Trailblazing foundations
While Ogunyemi’s name now reverberates across Canada’s medical and academic circles, his journey actually began thousands of miles away, in Nigeria. Born in the 1980s, his early life was shaped by the decision of his parents to relocate to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, when he was just three years old.
Interestingly Ogunyemi’s parents were history-makers themselves. Aside from being among the first African families in Newfoundland and Labrador, his father, Professor Abayomi Ogunyemi, was the province’s first epilepsy specialist. He was a Mayo Clinic-trained neurologist, and a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His mother, Mary Ogunyemi, was an entrepreneur who introduced a pioneering African store to Newfoundland and Labrador, creating a space for cultural representation long before diversity became a mainstream conversation.
It was in this environment of academic excellence and service that young Ogunyemi found his calling. Despite being one of the few Black children in his community, he excelled academically and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Sociology and Medical Science from Western University, Ontario. This multidisciplinary foundation would later shape his approach to Medicine, blending the precision of science with the depth of social understanding. This also became the bedrock of his advocacy in healthcare.
Ogunyemi went on to study Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he distinguished himself as a leader, serving as president of the Medical Student Society. He then completed a five-year dermatology specialisation at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he was named chief resident in the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science.
Seeing beyond the skin
As a dermatologist, Prof. Ogunyemi is highly regarded for his expertise in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. However, his impact goes far beyond the consulting room. His work has the deeper, multifaceted layer of advocating for health equity, championing underrepresented voices, and reshaping the future of medical education in Canada.
Currently a clinical associate professor at Memorial University, he has also served as the inaugural assistant dean of Social Accountability. In this role, he ensured that the perspectives of marginalised communities were integrated into medical training, preparing future doctors to provide culturally competent care. He has also mentored countless youths from underserved backgrounds, helping them navigate the complex path into medicine.
Ogunyemi is an active voice in provincial, national, and international healthcare discussions. He collaborates with policymakers, medical educators, and industry leaders to promote inclusivity in healthcare. His advocacy has influenced how medical schools incorporate diversity into their curriculum and how institutions address systemic barriers in the profession.
A voice for change
Beyond his medical practice, Ogunyemi has established himself as a thought leader, using his voice to spark important conversations about equity, diversity, and inclusion. His writings have been featured in The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Globe and Mail, CBC, and the Vancouver Sun. His articles have been used in anti-racism workshops, and some have been translated into French and Portuguese, broadening their impact.
His TEDx Talk, The Edge Effect: How Seeking Different Perspectives Yields Creativity, Innovation and Success, highlights the importance of embracing diversity in all sectors. He has also spoken at the Atlantic Immigration Summit and served as the 2018 Convocation Speaker for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Quite remarkably, despite his Canadian upbringing, Ogunyemi remains deeply connected to his Nigerian roots. He frequently visits Nigeria, drawing inspiration from the country’s rich culture and values. One of his favourite quotes is an African proverb that states: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This philosophy drives his approach to leadership—building collaborative efforts that drive lasting change.
He also advocates for Afro-centric wisdom in healthcare policy. He believes that Western healthcare systems can learn from African traditions, particularly in areas like elder care. “In many African cultures, older populations are treated with great dignity,” he notes. “Elder care must remain a health and social policy priority, and we can adopt this reverence for older persons to drive important change.”
Honours and recognitions
Prof. Ogunyemi’s impact has been widely recognised with numerous prestigious awards for leadership, academics, research, writing, advocacy and community service. In 2011, he received the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association Leadership Award, an early recognition of his leadership potential in the field. In 2017, his contributions to healthcare and advocacy were acknowledged with the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Health Sciences, one of Canada’s most esteemed recognitions for Black professionals.
The following year, 2018, Ogunyemi was named a recipient of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Members Making a Difference Award, celebrating his work in dermatology and public health. That same year, he was recognised as one of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, a distinction highlighting his influence as a leader and role model in Canada’s immigrant community. His leadership in medical education earned him the role of Convocation Speaker at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2018, a rare honour bestowed upon outstanding professionals in the medical field.
In 2019, Memorial University recognised him with the Alumni Horizon Award for Outstanding Alumni Under the Age of 35, celebrating his early yet remarkable contributions to Medicine and academia. That same year, Western University honoured him with the Young Alumni Award in recognition of his leadership and advocacy efforts.
Ogunyemi’s influence continued to grow, and in 2021, he was nominated for the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Award. He was also named one of the Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada in 2021, solidifying his reputation as a force for change in both healthcare and social advocacy.
The following year, in 2022, he was awarded the Cultural Educator of the Year by the Association for New Canadians, acknowledging his contributions to diversity and inclusion in medical education. That same year, he received the Canadian Medical Association Award for Young Leaders, a testament to his growing influence within Canada’s medical community. Additionally, The Globe & Mail named him one of their Changemakers of the Year, recognising him as a national leader driving social progress.
In 2023, Western University’s Faculty of Science honoured him with the Alumni Award of Achievement, celebrating his career as a physician, educator, and advocate.
