Dr. AZEEZ POPOOLA ADEDUNTAN: OYO STATE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH, PROFILE IN MERIT AND DETERMINATION

DR. AZEEZ POPOOLA ADEDUNTAN: OYO STATE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH, PROFILE IN MERIT AND DETERMINATION

Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan, the newly appointed Commissioner for Health in Oyo State is, apart from being cerebral achiever, an embodiment of knowledge, wisdom and competence.

 What earns him this opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State as a Commissioner is not just only his intimidating profiles or his successful career experience as a notable General Surgery and Cardiovascular medic but a genuine quest on the part of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to engage a competent hand to handle the health care delivery system in Oyo State.

Setting the facts, I came to know, like many others during the political experimentation that drove professionals into show of interest in Oyo State politics, the name and person of Azeez Popoola Adeduntan has been noted to have contested the 2011 governorship election in Oyo State under the platform of Labour Party, but consequently he lost the first shot into the cabal of politicians who were interested in monetary gains.

In a radio political debate program aired across the state, Dr. Adeduntan could be qouted as pledging that even, should he lose or win the election he would "continue to practically offer surgical treatment for the people who needs his services".

Inarguably, however, Adeduntan’s genuine zeal and determination for a better country and a better Oyo State has propelled his interest in the area of healthcare delivery.

Far from making political correctness, Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan Foundation, is to some merits,  a registered foundation operational in both United States of America and Nigeria and undertaking the responsibility of delivering first class healthcare to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria in general. This, he holds in high esteem as a way of contributing his quota as an individual to create new dawn in the healthcare delivery for the people of Oyo State and Nigeria in general through Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan Foundation.

Apart from the health foundation, Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan’s dream of better Oyo State is still very paramount in his heart that he was welcome to serve the State as Commissioner for Health. For a man who has showcased an unparallel leadership disposition and catalogue of achievements.

Below are Adeduntan’s intimidating credentials that can be compared and contrast to any Governor either incumbent or predecessors.

EDUCATION

1993-1995     Harvard Medical School-Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts ,USA
1986-1993     College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center, New York City, New York ,USA
1984-1985               Medical officer Of Health, Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
1982-1983         Housemanship at Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
1981-1982             National Youth Service  Corps,Lagos State Staff
                      Clinic, Ikeja  Lagos, Nigeria
1974-1981         University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
1968-1972         African Church Grammar School, Ibadan, Nigeria

HONORS & AWARDS

6/95     Harvard Chair-donated by the division of Vascular Surgery; Harvard-Deaconess Surgical Service, for outstanding performance during fellowship training –Harvard Deaconess Surgical Service, Boston, Massachusetts,USA
6/95:     Chairman’s Book-prize for excellent performance in Vascular fellowship training -Harvard Deaconess Surgical Service, Boston, Massachusetts ,USA
6/95:     Book-Prize for excellent academic performance by the Vascular Surgeons- Harvard Medical School, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts
1999:               90% correct, American Registry Of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers-Vascular Technology Examination
1993:      Director’s Book Prize for Excellent Academic Achievement Columbia-Harlem Hospital Center, New-York ,USA
1992:      Ranked 99th percentile, Surgical Basic Science in the 1992 American Board of Surgery In -Training Examination.USA
1991:       Ranked 98th percentile in the 1991 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination.
1987:      Citation as Intern of the Year, Harlem Hospital Center, N.Y. USA
1981:      Lawrence Omole’s Prize. Best Student in Community Medicine, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
1974-1981:    Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship for Medicine
1972:      General Proficiency Prize. Best All Around Student in High School Exit Exam Ibadan, Nigeria.

CERTIFICATION

2004             Recertified in Vascular Surgery
2003             Recertified in General Surgery
1999            Registered Vascular Technologist
1996             Board Certified in Vascular Surgery
1994             Board Certified in General Surgery
1986             FLEX
1985             F.M.G.E.M.S
1985     Primary Fellowship of the National Post-Graduate Medical
College of Nigeria in OB/GYN
1981             MB, CHB with Distinction in Community Medicine
1978     B.S.C. (Honors) in Health Sciences, 2nd Class Honors, (Upper Division)
1972             West African School Exit Certificate, Division One

PAPERS/RESEARCH

Transfemoral Endovascular Techniques- A new era in Vascular Surgery, Abstract published in Journal of Current Surgery, volume 53, #2, February 1996
                     
Chronic Venous Insufficiency- Update on Management,
 Presented (1/5/96) to the Southside Health Care Group, Atlanta,      Georgia.              

 Role of Angioscopy in infrainguinal graft surveillance (abstract accepted & presented at Vascular Fellows conference at Maimonides Medical Center N.Y. (April 6th 1995)

Role of Angioscopy in infrainguinal graft surveillance (abstract accepted for presentation & Publication by the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society – New Orleans, Louisiana, June 10th, 1995)

Role of Angioscopy compared to angiography in Peripheral Vascular surgery (exhibits at ACS Clinical congress San-Francisco (October 1993)

Congenital Lipoma – Dorsum of Right Hand (May 1981)

Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis – Case Report and Literature Reviews (May 1981)

Control of T.B. in Ile-Ife (April 1981)

Extraction and Characterization of Conconavalin A (Con A) From Jack Beans – Canavalia Ensiformis (June 1978)

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS)
Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery (SCVS)
Peripheral Vascular Society (PVS)
Society Of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS)
Fellow American College Of Surgeons (FACS)
Fellow International College Of Surgeons (FICS)
Atlanta Vascular Society
Nigeria Medical Association

INTERESTS/HOBBIES
         International Political News, Music, Boxing

PAST STATUS
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Morehouse Medical School, Atlanta, Georgia

CURRENT STATUS
President, Victory Vascular & General Surgery of Georgia.

Commissioner for Health, Oyo State, Nigeria.

In a nation where many of its politicians and elite at the corridors of power are fond of stashing their country’s resources in other developed economies in the world; some others are using their own legitimate hard earned resources from developed countries to improve the lives of the downtrodden in Nigeria. One of such patriotic Nigerians is Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan.

Evidently, he is a man that still believes in the Nigerian project even though the nation today is on the precipice. His passion for a better Nigeria and his home State in Nigeria can be liken to that of a prophet sent by God for a particular purpose on the earth.

This writer believes that Dr Adeduntan's determination and professional experience will bring more adequate health services and development beneficial to the people of Oyo State through this opportunity.

Congratulations to Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, a worthy citizen of Oyo State over his appointment as the State Commissioner for Health.

By Lashley K Oladigbolu,
 (BA Linguistics, Ibadan. PGCert-Applied Public Health, Middlesex University), a  UK based Media and Public Health specialist writes from London.

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