Canadian Medical Association names first Black president

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a dermatologist in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, has become the first Black president of the Canadian Medical Association. He officially assumed the role Friday at the organization's annual general meeting in Ottawa.

At 39, Ogunyemi is among the youngest to ever lead the 159-year-old organization, founded in 1867. He is also the CMA's first president to graduate from the medical school at Memorial University.

Ogunyemi has been practicing in St. John's since 2018 and maintains a regular clinic in Labrador City, serving the western part of Labrador. He takes over from Dr. Margot Burnell of New Brunswick.

"I'm hoping that, in the future, the composition of physicians in our country more closely reflects the patients that we're called to serve," Ogunyemi said earlier this week, noting he was pleased to be in a position to inspire people from different backgrounds and ages.

His priorities include improving Canadians' access to family doctors, better support for community-based physicians working outside hospitals, and reducing paperwork burdens on doctors. He is also committed to the CMA's goal of improving health care for Indigenous peoples.

Ogunyemi stressed the importance of equitable care regardless of geography. "Whether you're all the way up in Nain, Labrador, or down in St. John's, everyone deserves equitable access to care. I see that as a challenge for me, as an individual physician, for our profession, for health care more broadly, and for government and other stakeholders."

He argues his experience in Newfoundland and Labrador—a province with long-standing health-care challenges including an aging population—positions him well to tackle national issues. He pointed to the resilience that emerged in the province after a 1992 moratorium on cod fishing devastated the rural economy.

"We're genuine folks, we have generosity of spirit, and I think when we're working with stakeholders and dealing with important, sensitive issues, it's important to be able to bring your best self," he said.

The CMA presidency rotates annually among provinces and territories, with leaders elected by the organization's member physicians.