Nigerian-born Bolu Ogunyemi elected president of Canadian medical association — first black in 158 years
Ogunyemi, a dermatologist at St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, becomes the first black person to be elected to the position in 158 years of the association, after defeating his opponent, Susan MacDonald.
Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Medicine, has been elected as the nominee for the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) next president-elect.
The president of the CMA — elected by members from a different province or territory every year — is the primary spokesperson for the CMA’s work. They represent the CMA in the media, as well as to provincial and territorial medical associations, government and other partner organizations.
Dr. Ogunyemi practises medical dermatology in St. John’s and has maintained a visiting specialist clinic in Labrador City since 2018. In addition to numerous leadership roles at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Medicine, including the inaugural Assistant Dean of Social Accountability(2020–23), he has served on the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association Board of Directors. He completed a Fellowship in Health Services Improvement in 2024 from the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health.
He also serves on the CMA Governance Committee and previously on the Canadian Doctors for Medicare Board of Directors and has advised the federal government as a member of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Public Health Ethics Consultative Group.
“My track record in medical leadership, spanning 15 years, has provided me with expertise on pressing issues facing our health care system today,” he said. “As CMA president-elect, I will advocate for a unified and respected profession, robust health care system and healthier communities.”
Pending General Council approval at the CMA’s Annual General Meeting in May 2025, Dr. Ogunyemi will serve as president-elect until May 2026, when he will become CMA president for a one-year term.
Eligible CMA members in Newfoundland and Labrador voted for the president-elect from Nov. 20 to Dec. 4, choosing between two candidates — Dr. Ogunyemi and Dr. Susan MacDonald.
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