Dermatology resident. Advocate of diversity and inclusion. Stanley Park cyclist.
Whether it’s mentoring youth from high school through to medical school, supporting the health care needs of recent refugees in British Columbia or working with rural Inuit communities in Labrador, Boluwaji Ogunyemi — the chief dermatology resident at UBC — is driven by a desire to help and advocate for others.
As one of the executive members of Resident Doctors of BC, and as a Canadian Medical Association Ambassador, Dr. Ogunyemi has emerged as a leader in Canada’s medical community and beyond. Just this year, he became the recipient of the Harry Jerome Award (Health Sciences), an honour recognizing African-Canadians who are agents of change.
Outside of his work as a resident, Dr. Ogunyemi advocates for the importance of diversity and inclusion through the written word and has penned various articles on the subject for media outlets, including The New York Times.
Over the past 150 years, what do you think is the most important Canadian discovery, contribution or achievement in health research or education?
As a current resident, I often reflect on the contributions of Canadian physician Sir William Osler, who was instrumental in forming the first residency program (at John’s Hopkins University). The intense training period in clinical medicine known as residency is fundamental in training doctors who contribute to patient care, medical education, and clinical and basic science research.
When it comes to Canadians’ impact in health research, the efforts of Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best, as well as James Collip and John Macleod, in the creation of insulin is immeasurable – their discovery has saved innumerable lives around the world. When I lived in London, Ontario, I stood in awe, on several occasions, outside the Banting House, where the idea that led to the discovery of insulin was first born.
Finally, Canada’s adoption of Medicare has afforded many Canadians access to healthcare who would otherwise be without. It speaks to the fact that, in this great country, healthcare is a right that all Canadians should benefit from.
Looking towards the future, what new health discovery, treatment or innovation will come from Canada?
UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Julio Montaner, who is head of the UBC Division of AIDS, and Director of the BC Center for Excellence in HIV / AIDS, has pioneered important research in HIV management. HIV Treatment as Prevention ® has showed that this paradigm shift could decrease HIV transmission.
British Columbia has seen a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality due to HIV / AIDS since the implementation of the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) two decades ago. UBC’s work in innovation in management of HIV on a population level will continue to help many populations to decrease the burden of this disease.
What is your favourite Canadian pastime?
My favorite Canadian pastime is advocating, celebrating, promoting, and defending diversity and multiculturalism.
I also enjoy eating beaver tails and skating on the Rideau Canal, hiking signal Hill in St. John’s and biking Stanley Park in Vancouver. I am a big supporter of the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Canucks!
