Jamaicans among first blacks in medical field

TORONTO:

The Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, (BPAO) established in 2007, had its inaugural Black Joy Gala recently.The event attracted esteemed medical professionals, who gathered to honour trailblazers who are transforming lives. It was a celebration of community champions, and to foster connections to the advancement of black excellence in healthcare.

The grand début event held June 15, on the 17th floor of the stunning Globe and Mail Centre that offered a breathtaking view of Toronto’s cityscape, marked a significant moment in black history in medicine, honouring and recognising BPAO members who are taking on the “first black” posts in their field.

They are Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, president elect of the Ontario Medical Association; Dr. Everton Gooden, president and CEO of North York General Hospital; Dr. Lisa Robinson, dean of Medicine at University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Olufemi Ayeni, president elect of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA), and Dr. Dominick Shelton, interim assistant dean, Admissions & Recruitment at the Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine. Shelton and Gooden are both Jamaicans.

Guests included Dr. Gervan Fearon, president of George Brown College, (also of Jamaican heritage), who shared insightful statistics, during his address.

Gooden, the first black physician to lead North York General Hospital, told The Gleaner that his achievement was through the tenacity and perseverance of those before him.

“I feel humbled and just to stand here speaking to you in this capacity, is a result of a lot of hard work of many, many years, by a lot of individuals. They’ve broken down barriers and created an opportunity for people like me to be able to get to fulfil some of these roles,” Gooden said.

IMPRESSIVE NETWORK

In addition to the recognition of the “First Black” honorees, several awards were presented at the event. The BPAO shone a spotlight on individuals and organisations that have not only made significant contributions to their communities and industries but have also embodied the spirit of joy, positivity and empowerment within the black community.

“Since the founding of BPAO in 2007 by Dr. Miriam Rossi, the association has advocated for improving the health of people in black communities in Ontario, and implemented programmes that encourage and facilitate black youth to pursue a career in medicine,” said Dr. Mojola Omole, president of the BPAO. “Many of our members are distinguished black physicians and exceptional educators who have not only had a huge impact on the field of medicine but have also supported black doctors in their fields. Additionally, we have outstanding medical students and residents who possess leadership, adaptability and problem-solving skills that make them beacons of inspiration for future medical professionals. We are beyond proud to honour these exemplary black physicians and celebrate black medical learners at this inaugural gala event.”

The other honourees were:

Dr Murtala Abdurrahman, Dr Ernest Salmon, Dr. Lamidi Oyewumi, Dr Julius Agboola, Dr Amos Akinbiyi, Dr Olayiwola Kassim, Dr Adegboyega Akinyele and Dr Olufemi Ayeni Sr.

There is an impressive network of 159 medical students in medical schools, and residents, across Ontario. Some of those students were among the captivated audience at the gala.

The BPAO is registered not-for-profit and works for the equitable representation of the black population in medicine and ensuring that racialised health disparities are eliminated.