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BOSTON - Friday,
July 2, 2021 - Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced today that Dr. Bisola
Ojikutu, MD, MPH will be the next Executive Director of the Boston Public
Health Commission (BPHC). Dr. Ojikutu’s appointment was unanimously
approved by the Board of Health on July 1.
Dr. Ojikutu is
currently an Associate Physician within the Division of Global Health
Equity and the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine and an Assistant Professor
of Global and Social Medicine within the Department of Global and Social
Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ojikutu will assume the role
currently held by Rita Nieves, RN, MPH, LICSW on September 1, 2021 when Ms.
Nieves retires.
"I am pleased
Boston found a dedicated infectious disease physician with extensive public
health, leadership, and advocacy experience to lead BPHC. I look forward to
working with Dr. Ojikutu to build a healthier Boston for all our
residents," said Mayor Janey. "I am also deeply grateful for the
exceptional service of BPHC’s interim leadership, particularly Rita Nieves,
who was an exemplary leader in helping Boston navigate the unforeseeable
challenges presented to our city during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all
deeply indebted to Rita for her service.”
Dr. Ojikutu brings
comprehensive experience leading and developing programming to address
inequity and social determinants of health that serve as barriers to
prevention, care and treatment of infectious diseases among vulnerable
populations including women, immigrants, and Black and Latinx individuals.
Her clinical research and community service activities have focused on
achieving health equity and developing strategies to provide the highest
quality care to vulnerable populations, both domestically and
internationally with a focus on overcoming racial and ethnic disparities in
access to HIV prevention and treatment.
“Dr. Ojikutu’s
extensive experience and commitment to meaningful, tangible progress toward
eliminating health inequities make her uniquely suited for this role,” said
Chief of Health and Human Services Marty Martinez. “I am confident that she
is the right person to lead BPHC as we work to recover from COVID-19 and
build toward a more equitable and resilient city.”
“I’d like to extend
my most sincere congratulations to Dr. Ojikutu,” said Manny Lopes, Chair of
the Board of Health. “The Board of Health and Commission staff look forward
to working alongside Dr. Ojikutu to deepen efforts in maximizing health
equity and racial justice in Boston.”
"I am thrilled
about the opportunity to serve as BPHC's Executive Director, and I'm
committed to working with Mayor Janey, the Board of Health, and BPHC’s
dedicated staff to promote the health and well-being of the residents of
Boston and create real progress towards achieving health equity," said
Ojikutu. "I am eager to build on our city’s strong foundation and work
with BPHC staff, community partners, and residents to ensure that our work
is grounded in the lived experience of those we serve."
Dr. Ojikutu will
start with the Commission on September 1.
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