Canadian Medical Association Names First Black President, Bolu Ogunyemi
Event summary
- Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a dermatologist from St. John's, N.L., becomes the first Black president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) on May 29, 2026.
- Dr. Ogunyemi's priorities include strengthening primary care, reducing administrative burden, and integrating innovation responsibly.
- Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency physician and founder of POWER, is installed as CMA president-elect.
- Dr. Margot Burnell assumes the role of past president with the start of Dr. Ogunyemi's term.
The big picture
The appointment of Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi as the first Black president of the CMA marks a significant milestone in the organization's history, reflecting broader industry trends towards diversity and inclusion in healthcare leadership. His focus on strengthening primary care and reducing administrative burden aligns with ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency in Canada. The installation of Dr. Courtney Howard, a prominent figure in planetary health, as president-elect also signals a growing emphasis on environmental and social determinants of health within the medical community.
What we're watching
- Policy Influence
- How Dr. Ogunyemi's focus on community-based care and diversity will shape CMA's policy advocacy efforts.
- Innovation Integration
- The pace at which the CMA can responsibly integrate innovation to improve patient care under new leadership.
- Administrative Reform
- Whether the CMA can effectively reduce administrative burden for physicians, a key priority for the new president.