The American Board of Internal Medicine, ABIM, has appointed its first-ever black chair for its cardiovascular board in its 81-year history.
He is Olakunle Akinboboye, a medical graduate from University of Ibadan.
Akinboboye said he is “proud to have the opportunity to chair this very important Board.”
The cardiovascular board is one of ABIM’s specialty boards. Its 12 members conduct certification exams for cardiology trainees across America and periodically assess practising cardiologists.
But his appointment comes at a time when many US cardiologists are pressured by long years of anxiety caused by the board.
Akinboboye, a past president of Association of Black Cardiologists, said he was taking over 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.”
He also said his goal as chair of the board will be working “with other board members to come up with assessments for practicing cardiologists that are fair, and not unduly burdensome.”
Akinboboye is certified in cardiovascular disease, hypertension and sleep medicine, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York.
He is also the medical director of Queens Heart Institute/Laurelton Heart specialist in Rosedale, Queens, New York.
