The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has appointed a Nigerian doctor, Olakunle Akinboboye, as the chair of its cardiovascular disease board.
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has appointed a Nigerian doctor, Olakunle Akinboboye, as the chair of its cardiovascular disease board. It is the first time the 81-year-old body would appoint a black chair to head the cardiovascular disease board. Akinboboye will be responsible for certifying all deserving cardiologists in the United States. Heading the 12 members of the board from across the country, Akinboboye will also carry out periodic knowledge assessments of all practicing cardiologists in the US.
Commenting on his appointment, Olakunle Akinboboye said he is proud to have the opportunity to chair this very important board.
“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.”
Richard Baron, president and CEO of ABIM, via a press release, welcomed the new chair on behalf of the board. He 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”.
Olakunle Akinboboye received his medical degree from the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and later finished his internal medicine residency and part of his cardiology fellowship at the Nassau County Medical Center, State University of Stony Brook. He has a Master’s degree in public health from Columbia University and business administration from Columbia Business School. He completed his fellowship in cardiology with two years of dedicated training in nuclear cardiology and advanced echocardiography, when he moved to Columbia University.
He became an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York. He is the medical director of Laurelton Heart Specialist P.C. and Strong Health Medical P.C., Rosedale, New York. He specializes in cardiac imaging, clinical hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes. He has been listed among the top doctors in New York by prominent American medical publications.
