Dr. Bisola Ojikutu appointed Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission
Dr. Ojikutu has extensive experience leading efforts to address inequities in health care.
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.
The Boston Public Health Commission, one of the country's oldest health departments, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston. Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission: to protect, preserve and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Emergency Medical Services; Child Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; and Recovery Services.
