Bolu Ogunyemi

Early Life and Immigration to Canada

Boluwaji Ogunyemi was born in Nigeria in 1986. He has two siblings, and his family immigrated to Canada in the late 1980s when he was 11 years old. The family settled in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, where they established new roots. His father became the first professor of neurology and epileptology at Memorial University of Newfoundland, contributing to the province's academic medicine. His mother contributed to the local community by operating one of the first stores in the area specializing in African hair care and accessories. This early exposure to both academia and entrepreneurship within a new cultural context shaped Ogunyemi's perspectives on community and service. The family's successful integration into the professional and business life of St. John's provided a foundational example of the contributions immigrants make to Canadian society.

Education and Medical Training

Ogunyemi pursued a broad and distinguished academic path before specializing in medicine. He first earned a joint honours degree in sociology and medical sciences from the University of Western Ontario, which provided him with a unique dual perspective on health and society. He then entered medical school at Memorial University of Newfoundland, completing his degree in 2013. His postgraduate training took him to the University of British Columbia, where he received his Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification in dermatology in 2018. He also holds a Diplomat certification from the American Board of Dermatology, an international credential demonstrating his expertise. Complementing his clinical training, Ogunyemi completed the Leadership Program at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, focusing on developing executive skills. In 2024, he further enhanced his health system knowledge by completing a Fellowship in Health Services Improvement at the University of Alberta.

Medical Career in Newfoundland and Labrador

Since 2018, Dr. Ogunyemi has built his medical practice in Newfoundland and Labrador, serving diverse communities across the province. He practices dermatology at a specialist clinic in St. John's and runs a regular clinic in Labrador City, ensuring access to specialist care in a remote region. This commitment to serving both urban and remote populations reflects a core principle of equitable healthcare access. He also served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, contributing to physician advocacy at the provincial level. His clinical work and academic leadership were grounded in a commitment to equitable and accessible healthcare for all residents of the province, directly informing his later national policy priorities.

Rise to National Leadership

Ogunyemi's leadership extended to numerous national medical organizations prior to his CMA presidency. He served on the boards of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, the Resident Doctors of British Columbia, and the Canadian Dermatology Association. He was also a member of the Public Health Ethics Consultative Group at the Public Health Agency of Canada and served on the Governance Committee of the Canadian Medical Association. In 2024, he was elected president-elect of the CMA following a majority vote against Dr. Susan MacDonald, setting the stage for his historic presidency. His election drew congratulations from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who commended his qualifications for the job. On 29 May 2026, he officially assumed the presidency, succeeding Dr. Margot Burnell and becoming the first Memorial University alumnus to hold the office. His election and inauguration were widely covered in Canadian media, highlighting the significance of his background and age for the medical profession.

Presidency of the Canadian Medical Association

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi began his one-year term as president of the Canadian Medical Association on 29 May 2026. His installation at the CMA's annual general meeting marked a historic moment as he became the organization's first Black president and, at age 39, one of its youngest. In his inaugural address, he outlined key priorities for his tenure, which focus on strengthening Canada's primary care system and reducing the administrative burden on physicians. He also emphasized the responsible integration of innovation and technology to improve patient care. A central theme of his leadership is championing community-based care, arguing that patients achieve wellness in their communities, not just in hospitals. He aims to use his platform to advocate for health systems that better reflect the diversity of the Canadian population, believing inclusive perspectives make policy more effective.

As the primary spokesperson for the CMA, Ogunyemi speaks on behalf of Canada's physicians to policymakers, partners, media, and the public on critical health issues. With the start of Ogunyemi's term, Dr. Margot Burnell of New Brunswick assumed the role of past president. The CMA also installed its next leader in waiting, Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency physician from Yellowknife, as president-elect. Dr. Howard, the founder of the planetary health organization POWER and chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, is slated to succeed Ogunyemi in 2027. The transition highlights the CMA's practice of rotating the presidency annually among members from different provinces and territories, ensuring diverse regional representation at the highest level.

Policy Vision and Public Statements

Dr. Ogunyemi has been vocal about his vision for a more effective and inclusive Canadian healthcare system. He has stated that his position allows him to influence policy and promote the understanding that diverse backgrounds make advocacy efforts more inclusive. A key quote from his inauguration encapsulates his philosophy: 'Patients heal from illness in a hospital, but they truly become well in their communities. We need greater support for community-based practice to enable doctors to meet patients where they are.' This principle guides his advocacy for shifting resources and support towards primary and community care settings. He has committed to ensuring health systems reflect the diversity of Canadians, arguing that representation leads to better, more culturally competent care. His approach combines practical system reforms, like reducing bureaucratic tasks for doctors, with a broader commitment to equity and social accountability in medicine.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Ogunyemi's contributions to health sciences have been recognized with a major national award. In 2017, he was honoured with the Harry Jerome Award for Health Sciences. The Harry Jerome Awards are presented by the Black Business and Professional Association to celebrate excellence and achievement within Canada's Black community. This award acknowledged his early accomplishments and potential in the medical field years before his ascent to the pinnacle of medical association leadership in Canada. The recognition also highlights his role as a visible leader and role model within the Black Canadian community, particularly in the health sciences sector.

Professional Affiliations and Board Service

Throughout his career, Dr. Ogunyemi has contributed his expertise to a wide array of medical and health policy organizations. His board service reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, education, and ethical practice at both provincial and national levels. This extensive involvement provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Canada's healthcare landscape, directly informing his approach as CMA president. These roles spanned clinical advocacy, medical education, public health ethics, and national governance, building a portfolio of experience that uniquely qualified him for the CMA presidency. His work with the Public Health Ethics Consultative Group, in particular, positioned him at the intersection of clinical practice and broader public health policy during a critical period for the country.

• Board of Directors, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (three-year term)
• Board of Directors, Canadian Doctors for Medicare
• Board of Directors, Resident Doctors of British Columbia
• Board of Directors, Canadian Dermatology Association
• Member, Public Health Ethics Consultative Group, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Member, Governance Committee, Canadian Medical Association

Questions about Bolu Ogunyemi

Who is Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi?

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is a Canadian dermatologist and the president of the Canadian Medical Association as of May 2026. Born in Nigeria in 1986, he immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland as a child. He is a specialist in dermatology and a faculty member at Memorial University. He is historically significant as the first Black physician to be elected president of the CMA, and at 39, one of the youngest to hold the office.

What are Dr. Ogunyemi's main priorities as CMA president?

His stated priorities are strengthening Canada's primary care system and reducing the administrative burden on doctors. He also aims to responsibly integrate new technologies and innovations to improve patient care. A core belief guiding his work is the importance of community-based practice, where patients receive support in their own communities to achieve wellness. He has pledged to use his role to ensure health systems reflect Canada's diversity, making policy more inclusive and effective.

Where does Dr. Ogunyemi practice medicine?

Dr. Ogunyemi practices dermatology in Newfoundland and Labrador. He works at a specialist clinic in St. John's and also operates a regular clinic in Labrador City. This dual practice allows him to serve patients in both an urban centre and a more remote region of the province, embodying his commitment to accessible care. His clinical base in St. John's connects him to the academic community at Memorial University, where he previously held a senior administrative role.

When did Bolu Ogunyemi become president of the CMA?

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi officially became president of the Canadian Medical Association on 29 May 2026. He was introduced at the CMA's annual general meeting on that date, succeeding Dr. Margot Burnell who then assumed the role of past president. His presidency followed his election as president-elect in 2024, which came after a majority vote against Dr. Susan MacDonald. At age 39, he became the first Black president in the CMA's history and one of its youngest.

What award did Bolu Ogunyemi win in 2017?

In 2017, Bolu Ogunyemi was awarded the Harry Jerome Award for Health Sciences. This recognition came during the early stages of his medical career, prior to his completion of his dermatology certification in 2018. The award highlights professional excellence and community service among Black Canadians. It is a notable early honour in his trajectory toward national medical leadership.

Who is the next president of the CMA after Dr. Ogunyemi?

The next president of the Canadian Medical Association after Dr. Ogunyemi is Dr. Courtney Howard. She was installed as the CMA's president-elect on 29 May 2026, the same day Dr. Ogunyemi assumed the presidency. Dr. Howard is an emergency physician in Yellowknife and the founder of POWER, an organization focused on planetary health. She is scheduled to succeed Dr. Ogunyemi and become president in 2027.

Sources and further reading

• Bolu Ogunyemi (Wikipedia)
• Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is the new president of the CMA (canhealth.com)
• Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is the new president of the Canadian ... (sg.finance.yahoo.com)

Checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.