Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde appointed as Chair, Commission on Black Medical Students

News & Announcements | 15 Oct 2020

Dean Jane Philpott has appointed Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde as Chair, Commission on Black Medical Students, Faculty of Health Sciences. This appointment is effective October 1, 2020.

The Dean would like to thank Dr. Mala Joneja, who previously served as Chair, Commission on Black Medical Students. In her role as Chair, Dr. Joneja was a collaborative leader who acted with humility and sensitivity. Guided by Dr. Joneja, the Commission on Black Medical students implemented several actions following the university’s public apology for the ban on Black medical students in 1918. These include curricular changes with respect to inclusivity and diversity in undergraduate medicine and a mentorship program for Black students.

Dr. Ayonrinde earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria and residency training in Psychiatry was at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals in London. He earned a MSc in Psychiatric Theory and Research at the University of London, a Diploma in History of Medicine from the Society of Apothecaries and an Executive MBA from Imperial College London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and an International Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

While living in London, Dr. Ayonrinde worked for the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, where he served in several capacities as Consultant Psychiatrist, Undergraduate Tutor, Postgraduate Program Director and Lead Clinician. He served as Vice Chair, Professional & Linguistic Assessment Board, for the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, and was an Honorary Medical Advisor for Mind, a leading mental health charity. Since moving to Canada, Dr. Ayonrinde served as the Medical Director for the Early Psychosis Intervention Program and is now the Clinical Director for Community Mental Programs with Providence Care. He currently works for Queen’s with cross-departmental appointments as an Associate Professor in both the departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, where he serves as a preceptor for the MSc and residency programs.

Dr. Ayonrinde’s clinical experience spans addiction/substance misuse psychiatry, emergency and intensive care psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychosexual medicine and cross-cultural mental health. Widely sought after worldwide for his expertise, Dr. Ayonrinde has acted in consultation, training and advisory roles for clinicians and clinical services in Australia, China, Malta, Nigeria and the United States. He served as a Cannabis Awareness Expert for Health Canada, a Cannabis Awareness Trainer for the Canadian Armed Forces, and in curriculum and content development with the World Psychiatric Association. He has also established close working relationships with a number of marginalized indigenous populations globally.

Dr. Ayonrinde has a prolific publication record and has published widely in areas of culture and youth mental health, cannabis, racial trauma and the history of medicine in peer reviewed journals and book chapters. He is currently involved in several national and international research and innovation projects.

Throughout his career as a researcher, educator and clinician, Dr. Ayonrinde has been the recipient of several honours and awards. He is the recipient the Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Award for Innovative Contribution to Patient Life, the Imperial College Business School Joan Woodward Prize for Research in Organizational Behaviour, and three Clinical Excellence Awards (UK). In Canada, Dr. Ayonrinde has been recognized with the Partners in Research Biomedical Ambassador Award, the Kingston Health Sciences Centre for knowledge translation initiatives regarding Cannabis ‘Knowledge Award’, and the Queen’s University Faculty of Health Sciences Recognition for Cannabis Initiatives Award.

Please join the Dean in congratulating Dr. Ayonrinde on his appointment as Chair, Commission on Black Medical Students.

Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde appointed as Chair, Commission on Black Medical Students

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