Nigerian doctor elected President of US black Cardiologists

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  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.

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[/size]Akinboboye  was unanimously elected by the 4500 member-strong US national umbrella  organization recently and inaugurated last month in Chicago  Illinois.



 

[/size]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.

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[/size]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.

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[/size]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.

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[/size]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.

[/size]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."

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[/size]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.

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[/size]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.

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[/size]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".

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[/size]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.

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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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