*The Jersey City Medical Center, in the United States, in a statement, says Dr. Ijeoma Akunyili, who possesses ‘vast leadership and advocacy experience’, has led an ‘unprecedented fourfold expansion of service lines’ with a specific focus on medical services and access to care for underserved populations in the American country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Jersey City Medical Center, a RWJBarnabas health facility in the United States (US), has announced Dr. Ijeoma Akunyili as the new Chief Medical Officer of the hospital.

Ijeoma is the first daughter of late Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ex-Minister of Information.

ConsumerConnect reports the US medical centre announced young Akunyili’s appointment in a statement issued Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

The statement noted that Ijeoma led an unprecedented fourfold expansion of service lines with a specific focus on medical services and access to care for underserved populations.

“Previously, Dr. Akunyili served as the Chair of emergency medicine at Waterbury Hospital, a Level II trauma teaching hospital.

“There she was the change agent who led a dynamic team in dramatically reducing the lengths of stay, improving overall performance across multiple patient-centered metrics, and increasing physician staffing.

The medical centre also stated: “She was awarded the 2019 Medical Director of the Year Award for the impressive turnaround of the Waterbury Hospital Emergency Department.

“In addition to her executive experience, Dr. Akunyili has vast leadership and advocacy experience, and is currently serving as the President of the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians (CCEP).

“Prior, she served for several years on the board of directors of Texas and Connecticut Colleges of Emergency Physicians. She was an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX, and she is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Yale University.”

Dr. Akunyili appreciates hospital, says appointment a ‘true privilege’

Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Ijeoma Akunyili expressed gratitude to the hospital.

She assured the stakeholders of her commitment to ensuring quality service delivery to healthcare consumers in the country.

She reportedly said: “I am grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the residents of Hudson County and continuing to provide safe, innovative, efficient, and equitable care.

“It is a true privilege to lead the clinical effort at Jersey City Medical Center and to create sustainable health outcomes for our community.”

In her most recent role, Dr. Akunyili had served as the Regional Medical Director for TeamHealth, Northeast Group, where she had strategic, operational, and clinical oversight of nearly 20 emergency departments, critical care, and hospitalist service lines in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, report noted.