Dr. Malcolm Blagrove is a dedicated Respirologist and sleep specialist with a robust background in medical education and training. After earning his medical degree from Saba University, he completed an internal medicine residency and further specialized with fellowships in respirology and sleep medicine at Western University. Dr. Blagrove is deeply passionate about medical education and is committed to advancing representation and diversity in the medical field. He is eager to share his insights and support Black medical students and other minorities as they navigate their clerkship preparation.

Tega is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery resident at the University of Toronto. She recently completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto where she was dually enrolled in a master’s degree program with the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. Most of her passion projects have focused on targeted mentorship, Black and Indigenous representation in surgery, and global health equity. She is an avid writer who constantly seeks to find common ground where poetry, surgery, equity and advocacy meet.

Sonia Igboanugo is a PGY1 general surgery resident at McMaster University. She completed her medical training at the University of Toronto, and prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Discovery Commercialization (MBDC) at McMaster University. Sonia is passionate about mentorship, leadership, and health advocacy. She hopes to build a career where health equity intersects with surgical innovation.

Abigail Iseyemi is an Obstetrician Gynecologist and a Pediatric Adolescent Gynecologist. Abigail joined the faculty at Western University as an Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology in July 2024. Abigail completed her fellowship in Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology at the Hospital for Sick children in Toronto. She completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Western University in London Ontario and attended medical school at Meharry Medical College, a historically black university, in Nashville, TN. Abigail graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology with a Specialization in Comparative Physiology.

Dr. Mojola Omole is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and General Surgeon. Her journey in medicine began at the University of Toronto, where she earned her medical degree before pursuing a residency in general surgery at McMaster University.

As a global surgical oncologist and General Surgeon, Dr. Omole has brought her expertise to diverse communities in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Nicaragua. Currently, she works at Scarborough Health Network in Toronto while also lending her insights as a sought-after consultant for anti-Black racism and anti-oppression training. Additionally, Dr. Omole chairs the special issue in the CMAJ dedicated to addressing Anti-Black racism in medicine.

Dr. Betel (Betty) Yibrehu is a General Surgery resident at the University of Toronto. She obtained her M.D. in the Community and Urban Health Track from The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.. Prior to that she studied Global Health at the University of Toronto. She is currently finishing a year away from clinical residency to work in Nigeria as the Stern Fellow in Global Oncology Research with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the African Research Group for Oncology. In addition to her interest in global surgery, since starting residency she has co-founded UpSurge, a diversity in surgery initiative within the University of Toronto’s Department of Surgery.