Dora Akunyili's daughter named as chief medical officer of Jersey City Medical Center

FORMER communications minister Professor Dora Akunyili’s Ijeoma has been named as the new chief medical officer of the Jersey City Medical Center in the US becoming the first ever African-American appointed to the position.

A medical professional like her mother, Dr Akunyili has been praised by the management of the RWJ Barnabas Health facility for her pioneering role. Dr Andy Anderson health trust's managing director, said her experience managing multi-specialty physician groups in integrated health care systems will help support the Jersey City Medical Center in providing comprehensive health care throughout the community.

Michael Prilutsky, the chief executive of the medical centre, added: “She has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and as our chief medical officer, we look forward to creating a world-class experience for every patient at Jersey City Medical Center. I am confident that Hudson County will benefit in a great way from her leadership, and that her presence will have a tremendous impact.”

Dr Akunyili added:“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.”

Her mother served as the director-general of Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria from 2001 to 2008. Professor Akunyili was later appointed minister of information and communications but died in 2014 after battling cancer for about two years.