Nigerian doctor elected President of US black Cardiologists
Dr Akinboboye
A US-based Nigerian doctor, Ola Akinboboye has emerged as the new president of the Association of Black Cardiologists in the US, Empowered Newswire reports.
Akinboboye was unanimously elected by the 4500 member-strong US national umbrella organization recently and inaugurated last month in Chicago Illinois.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the Chief Executive Officer of the association, Mr. Andre Williams said “the association is excited to have Dr. Ola Akinboboye become the president of ABC,” for the next two years.
Akinboboye, a graduate of Medicine from the University of Ibadan, is a prominent US medical practitioner with health centers in New York, an award-winning nuclear cardiologist, and is listed among the Top Doctors in the New York region by leading US medical publications.
The president and leaders of the ABC are deemed among significant figures in the American society in the driving and directing the nation’s medical and health policy outside of government circles, by the virtue of the association’s representation of all black Americans and people of color.
The association is dedicated to eliminating the disparities related to cardiovascular disease in all people of color in the US and it currently has public and private partnerships that is increasing its impact in communities across the nation.
Besides, the aassociation is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), as an educational institution regulating the practice of cardiology and related professions. Its stated mission “is to champion the elimination of cardiovascular disparities through education, research and advocacy.”
Although Akinboboye was inaugurated last month in Chicago at a well-attended annual membership dinner of the national group of black cardiologists, the headquarters of the association is in Washington DC, the US capitol, which affords it to relate effectively with the US government.
Founded in 1974 by 17 medical doctors, the ABC was established “to bring special attention to the adverse impact of cardiovascular disease on African Americans,” and has now grown from the initial 17 to well over 4000 members at the last count, according to Williams who spoke from Washington DC.
Speaking on his election and assumption of office as the president of Black cardiologists in the US, Akinboboye said “ABC is the Umbrella organization for Black cardiologists in the United States, and the organization plays a critical role in healthcare policy making, particularly on issues regarding healthcare of African-Americans”.
Akinboboye who will serve a two-year tenure until 2014 is the second Nigerian to be elected president of the ABC, after Dr. Elizabeth Ofili who was president between 2000-2002.
According to the CEO Williams, Akinboboye had served earlier on the association’s leadership on the Medical Education Committee, where he helped with securing the accreditation of the group.
“Akinboboye has spoken at many national conferences and besides his medical degree, he also has an MPH and MBA from Columbia University.” He added that as president the UI-trained doctor will advance the membership of the ABC and also ensure international growth including linking the US with the African continents with such training programmes.
Williams explained that members of the association are drawn from across the length and breadth of the US, including all certified cardiologists, corporate bodies, and non medical practitioners drawn from the American community interested in the promotion of a good heart health. He encouraged members of the community to explore the web site of the association, www.abcardio.org to discover tips on promoting good heart health.
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