Board Members
The faces of our organization
Founder
Dr. Rahel Zewude
Dr Rahel Zewude is an Infectious Diseases fellow at the University of Toronto and the founder of Black Physicians of BC. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of British Columbia and her medical school at the University of Toronto. She previously served as the co-president for the Black Medical Students’ Association and created several new initiatives and worked on expanding the advocacy and mentorship efforts of the association. Her commitment to mentorship and advocacy through the years has led her to be involved in various programs that have improved the representation of Black students in Canadian medicine.
President
Dr. Desmond Nunez
Dr. Desmond Nunez is a practicing Otologist/Neurotologist and past Chair of the University of British Columbia’s Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Dr Nunez graduated from the University of the West Indies Medical School and completed postgraduate surgical training in the United Kingdom and the United States. He served as Head of the University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust Departments of Otolaryngology in England prior to relocating to Vancouver. In his limited spare time, he enjoys skiing and scuba diving.
Treasurer
Dr. Gb Olarewaju
Gbolahan is an R3 in public health and family medicine at the University of British Columbia and past-Chair of the Black Medical Students Association of Canada (BMSAC). He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate education at the University of Guelph in Biomedical Science (BSc) and Human Health and Nutritional Science (MSc). As a queer Black immigrant, he has a keen interest in health access and equity for marginalized people including youth, immigrants, queer, Black, Indigenous and other people of colour. Prior to medical school, this interest was cultivated into interdisciplinary advocacy and research work as the Coordinator of International, Multi-Faith and Refugee programs at the University of Guelph, and as the Vancouver coordinator for the national gay, bisexual and queer men’s health study Engage. While completing his medical education, he continues his advocacy work on the Faculty of Medicine’s EDI Advisory Group, CIHR External Anti-Racism Advisory Group, BMSAC Research Committee and as the medical student rep for BPBC.
Mentorship Lead
Dr. Christopher Applewhaite
Dr. Christopher Applewhaite received his MD through the University of Calgary and completed his residency in Family Medicine in Victoria. He also holds a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy. Originally from Alberta, he is excited raise his family on the West Coast.
He has a strong clinical interest in musculoskeletal medicine and pain management. Outside of medicine, he is an outdoor enthusiast and martial artist participating in Brazilian jiu jitsu and outdoor pursuits from sea kayaking to fly fishing. With martial arts on hold due to the pandemic, he is spending time outdoors with his daughters, baking, and improving his home.
Vice President
Dr. Gina Ogilvie
Dr. Gina Ogilvie is Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Control of HPV-Related Diseases and Prevention, and Professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health. She is also the Associate Director at the Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. Internationally recognized for shaping policy and programs in reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, HPV screening, and vaccination, her clinical and research work focuses on sexually transmitted infections, HPV, and HIV in women. Dr. Ogilvie earned her medical degree at McMaster University, completed postgraduate training in family medicine and public health, and holds a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Community Lead
Mariam Eji-Lasisi
Mariam Eji-Lasisi is a fourth-year medical student at the University of British Columbia. During her training, Mariam co-founded and served as the inaugural president of the UBC Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA), an organization dedicated to supporting Black medical students through mentorship, networking, and community-building initiatives. She is also committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within the healthcare workforce by helping to develop mentorship connections between students from underrepresented backgrounds and current medical students in BC.
Medical Students Representative
Angelo Grant
Angelo Grant is a General Surgery resident at the University of British Columbia. He completed his undergraduate studies at McMaster and medical school at the University of Toronto. He is passionate about equity, mentorship, and community-building. He was a member of the first Black Health Sciences Association and Black Student Association at McMaster, as well as one of the contributors to the Equitable Admissions for Black Applicants stream for McMaster's Health Sciences Program. In Toronto he was a member of the Black Medical Student Association.
Outside of medicine, Angelo enjoys collecting vinyl records, making collages, and playing soccer. He also started PITCH Magazine, an arts publication focused on providing a platform for Black creatives from across the globe. He has enjoyed his time in Vancouver so far and looks forward to spending residency on the west coast.
Faculty Advisor
Dr Felix Durity
