BOARD MEMBERS
The Faces of Our Organization
DR. RAHEL ZEWUDE
Founder
Dr. Rahel Zewude is an Internal Medicine resident physician at University of British Columbia who is the founder of Black Physicians of BC. She completed her medical school at University of Toronto, where she 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.
DR. DESMOND NUNEZ
President
Dr. Desmond Nunez is a practicing Otologist/Neurotologist and 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.
GB OLAREWAJU
Treasurer
Gbolahan is an R1 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.
DR. CHRISTOPHER APPLEWHAITE
Mentorship Lead
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.
DR. RUKY AGBAHOVBE
Community Lead
Dr. Ruky Agbahovbe is an R1 in Psychiatry (Vancouver Track). She was born in Nigeria and grew up in both Ireland and Canada. As a recent graduate of University College Dublin, having spent six years galavanting through Europe, she is so happy to have settled back into life on the West Coast. Within medicine, she has a special interest in Urban Health, Addictions and Inner City Youth. When not at work, she loves to browse through thrift stores and repurpose old clothing and furniture pieces!
DR. RUTH HABTE
Media Lead
Dr. Ruth Habte is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Resident Physician at UBC. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and practiced briefly as a pharmacist while in medical school, both at the University of Manitoba.
DR. LOLADE SHIPEOLU
Resident & Fellow Representative
TBD
DR. ABU HAMOUR
Northern and Island Health Representative
Dr. Hamour completed his medical training in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine in Sudan and the United Kingdom. He has extensive clinical expertise in HIV, Tuberculosis, chronic hepatitis, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection control programs. Dr. Hamour has recently served as the Department Head of Medicine and Medical Director at the University Hospital of Northern BC. He currently practices as an Infectious Diseases physician in Prince George, where he provides the majority of hepatitis C and HIV care in Northern BC.