Growing up in a country with limited health care resources shaped Dr. Oludamilola “Dami” Akinmolayemi’s future. It also fueled his drive to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded him in the United States. The Medical School Class of 2020 chose him to receive the Iatros Award, while the Leadership Award is bestowed annually to student officers of the graduating class.

Dr. Oludamilola “Dami” Akinmolayemi

What the Leadership Award means: “It has been an amazing opportunity and experience serving in several leadership roles here. As the Class President, I strive for excellence in advocating and community building despite the demands and challenges that come with balancing academics and extracurricular activities. This would not have been possible without the support of so many others. It is truly a humbling recognition.”

Mentor comment: “There is no one more deserving of this award than Dami Akinmolayemi, who as Class President has been an incredible example of servant leadership. He is a strong advocate for his Class and has made significant contributions toward improving the learning environment and services provided. Dami has played critical roles in our re-accreditation and strategic planning initiatives and has served on the UT System Student Advisory Committee. However, the most incredible example of leadership stems from his response to the COVID-19 crisis and how he handled the impact to the Class of 2020 with grace and a mature, thoughtful approach. It has been an absolute privilege to partner with such a talented leader through this difficult time.” – Dr. Angela Mihalic, Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs

What the Iatros Award means: “It is truly an honor to be selected by my classmates to receive this award. It means the world to me that they think of me as a colleague who demonstrates the qualities of the type of physician that we all aspire to be. I am sure there are other incredible classmates who have gone above and beyond for their patients and community who deserve this award, however I am grateful and will always strive to live up to the expectations of the Iatros Award.”

Class of 2020 student comments: “Dami is very dedicated to providing community service, in particular to underrepresented communities”; “He makes himself remarkably accessible, because his goal is truly to help everyone in every way he can”; “He is genuinely caring, often reaching out to promote and ensure the well-being of his peers. This compassion extends to his patients. He displays a steady confidence in the context of exemplary professionalism, respect, and kindness.”

Background and family: “I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, but I have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since I was 19. I call Texas my home state. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been provided to me, as I am the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.”

What led to your career path: “There is limited access to health care services in Nigeria, and it is not uncommon for people to die there from illnesses that could be easily treated if more resources were available. My personal experiences and the difficulties encountered by those in my community to obtain health care services fueled my decision to pursue a career in medicine.”

College: “I received an associate degree from North Lake College in Irving, then transferred to UT Arlington, where I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science. At North Lake, I was a member of the Student Leadership Institute and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. At UTA, I was inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society and served as its Director of Community and Education Service. I also was active in the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students.”

UTSW activities: “In addition to volunteering at student-run free clinics, I participated in a medical mission trip to Guatemala. I served as the Community Clinics Outreach Chair for United to Serve; as Chair of the Multicultural Week Lecture Series Committee; as Community Service co-Chair for the Student National Medical Association; as a Cary College Senator; and as mentor for the yearly Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program. I also was a member of the Class of 2021 PRE+OP planning committee.”

Surprising fact: “I do not know how to swim. As a kid, I always chickened out every time I had the opportunity to learn.”

Future plans: “I will be starting my internal medicine residency in July at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia University Irving Medical Center, with a plan to pursue a fellowship in cardiology. I would like to pursue clinical outcomes research, using knowledge gained through receiving my Master of Public Health degree with a focus in epidemiology. I also hope to be involved in leadership roles, with an interest in health care administration.”

About the awards: The Leadership Award annually goes to the student officers of the graduating class and includes a shared $1,000 award. The Iatros Award – Iatros is the Greek word for “physician” – was established by the UT Southwestern Medical School Class of 1984 to honor a graduate who most emulates the complete qualities of a physician. The Iatros Award carries a cash prize provided by the Alumni Association.