Nigerian Doctor Becomes First Black Person To Chair US Cardiovascular Disease Board

Olakunle Akinboboye, Nigerian born medical doctor, has been appointed to chair the cardiovascular disease board of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
The University of Ibadan graduate becomes the first black person to chair the cardiovascular disease board.
His responsibilities include certifying all deserving cardiologists in the United States.

Akinboboye will also carry out periodic knowledge assessments of all practising cardiologists in the US.
“Proud to have the opportunity to chair this very important board,” he said.

“Unfortunately I am taking over the mantle of leadership at a point in time in which many cardiologists are openly revolting because of what they perceive as high handedness of the board over the years.”

Akinboboye said his goal as the board chair is “to work with other board members to come up with assessments for practicing cardiologists that are fair, and not unduly burdensome”.

Welcoming the new chair, Richard Baron, president and CEO of ABIM, said: “We are honored to have Dr. Berns, Dr. Akinboboye and Dr. Udden—three highly regarded physicians with significant clinical experience to serve the community in their disciplines and across specialties to offer more choice, relevance and convenience as they help to set the standards for excellent patient care”.

Prior to this appointment, Akinboboye serves as chair of the clinical trials committee of the organisation and also on the international board of governors of the American college of cardiology as the liaison for Africa.

He holds a masters degree in public health from Columbia University and business administration from Columbia Business School.

Akinboboye completed his fellowship in cardiology with two years of dedicated training in nuclear cardiology and advanced echocardiography, when he moved to Columbia University.