Ijeoma Akunyili, daughter of late Professor Dora Akunyili, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer of Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJ Barnabas Health facility in the United States.

According to a statement on the hospital’s website, Dr. Akunyili is the first African American to hold the position.

Dr. Andy Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical and Quality Officer at RWJ Barnabas Health, said her experience in managing multi-specialty medical teams will help improve healthcare services in the community.

The hospital’s President and CEO, Michael Prilutsky, also praised her appointment, saying her leadership will help create a world-class experience for patients and greatly benefit Hudson County.

Reacting to her new role, Dr. Akunyili said she is grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to providing safe, innovative, and fair healthcare for residents. She described it as an honour to lead clinical services at the center and work toward better health outcomes for the community.

Her mother, Professor Dora Akunyili, served as Director-General of NAFDAC from 2001 to 2008 and later as Nigeria’s Minister of Information. She passed away in 2014 after battling cance