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.
In a statement released by the association, Dr. Ogunyemi practices medical dermatology in St. John’s and has maintained a visiting specialist clinic in Labrador City since 2018. He has served as the inaugural Assistant Dean of Social Accountability (2020–23) at the University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Medicine, and 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.
Ogunyemi 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.
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, the statement revealed.
“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. The president of the CMA is elected by members from a different province or territory every year, and 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
