Celebrating the life of Dr Adebayo Olujohungbe Running to a different Mission and Beat. - Dr. Ade Adebayo also known to his many friends as Ade was born on June 3rd, 1963 in Ibadan to the late Funsho and Olabisi Olujohungbe. Adebayo was a very special and gifted child who from a very early age showed a penchant for working hard to achieve success. He was always top of his class from his primary school at Sacred Heart, Onireke, Ibadan. A graduate of King's College Lagos, he went on to study Medicine at University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He pursued more specialized study in the United Kingdom in Internal Medicine (1989), Hematology (1999), and Pathology (2006). During this process he received a PhD ( Doctor of Medicine) from University of Birmingham for critical illuminating research on multiple myeloma in 1999. Diagnosed at an early age with sickle cell anemia, he chose to not only become a doctor but one who would devote his life to combatting and containing the disease. He has since become one of the world's foremost experts in she field of haematology and related oncology, who was well sought after and highly respected by his peers. He has numerous research and educational publications in the field that have successively. yielded more insight towards the treatment and ultimate cure of this disease. He was not only a great researcher but a wonderful doctor who was fully committed to the care and compassion for his patients. So many patients have commented on his treating them as the most important person in the world during his clinics and who was prepared to take the time of counseling them and helping them improve the quality of their lives. Undoubtedly he was also their chief advocate and worked hard to ensure that there were enough resources to help them through their difficulty. One of his most notable achievements was his leadership of the development of the United Kingdom standards for Adult Sickle Cell Disease to reduce gaps in care, in 2008. This outstanding work was directly acknowledged by the then Prime Minister of UK, Gordon Brown. Adebayo not only fought SCD professionally but had to deal with this extremely debilitating disease personally. Oh, he handled it with such quiet grace and while often suffering through the pain, never asked for any special favors! While tackling that pain, he always worked hard and excelled on his studies right from his youth, made that additional phone call to ask about someone's health or their work or family, conducted that supplementary clinical round to make sure his patients were as best as they could be, made that extra trip to make sure his children were doing well, sent that next text to encourage one of his several nephews or nieces, offer that wonderful smile to his siblings while skyping with them. Adebayo did not just stop at excellence in his career but through his focus on personal excellence and deep seated empathy for people, he became a boundless mentor, encourager, champion and friend to so many people across the world. The numerous stories that have been shared all reflect a kind hearted, gentle person who really wanted nothing but the the best for everyone. While in Canada for just three years, it has been consistently shared that Dr. Ade made a massive impact of so many years - seeking out the best possible outcomes for his patients, colleagues and to the fields of haematology and oncology. His colleagues are determined to carry on his critical work and research and his family thanks them immensely. Adebayo loved his family tremendously and despite the distance was always in many streams of active and as usual passionate conversations and contact with his siblings, nephews and nieces all over the world. As far as his children, James and Olivia are concerned he very much was ALL IN for them and loved them intently and unboundedly. He sought and enjoyed their company and spending very high quality time with them in so many different places across the world. We must not forget his love and passion for his beloved reds - Manchester United! Adebayo was also an awesome and magnanimous friend and colleague who was passionate about so many subjects that his warmth and focus on excellence was infectious to so many people. He also cared deeply about his faith and clearly believed and showed by example that for Christians it was important to accompany faith with good works. This genius, advocate, father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, mentor and best dressed doctor (the 'GQ' man) will be dearly missed. He was undoubtedly running very hard and fast in life, running to a different beat and a different mission, as he perceived that he would have limited physical time on earth however the results of his contributions and empathy will clearly continue unbounded with his legacy down the path of history. As for us all we will say we were there, knew and met the wonderful, brilliant and gracious person of Adebayo Olujohungbe. We are also putting on our own running shoes Bayo! We know you will be cheering us on! God bless and Adieu.

Dr Adebayo Olujohungbe ( August 1963 – May 2013)

(Extract from Senate Executive Committee University of Manitoba 10 August 2009)

“Dr. Olujohungbe completed his medical training in Nigeria, earning his MD in 1985. He pursued special training in the UK in Internal Medicine (1989), Hematology (1999), and Pathology (2006). All of this training was in Manchester, London, and Liverpool. He has held the academic position of honorary lecturer and consultant at University of Liverpool since 1999.

Dr. Olujohungbe's academic contributions have focused on sickle cell disease and he has developed a leadership role in England by authoring clinical practice guidelines and clinical trials. Because of this, he has received invitations to national and international meetings and has a solid mid-career list of publications in international peer review journals. He has also developed an expertise in multiple myeloma and has participated as principal investigator and co-investigator in a number of hematological studies.

Dr. Olujohungbe's first visit to Winnipeg was in October 2007. He impressed the Section Head of Hematology in the Department of Internal Medicine on his formal visit, and he in tum felt that he would have good career opportunities in Winnipeg with a balance between clinical service research and teaching and service. Formal negotiations for recruitment began in the summer of 2008, with prospective recruitment as a GFT at the Associate Professor rank in the Section of Hematology in the Department ofInternal Medicine.

In summary, the Senate Committee on Medical Qualifications recommends that the Senate consider a certificate under the academic seal of the University of Manitoba (Section 64 of the Manitoba Medical Act).”

Memo from Dr Roberts of Cancer Care Canada to the Dean of University of Manitoba (August 2009)

 “CancerCare Manitoba in conjunction with the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba conducted an extensive search for Haematologists. This search included advertising in periodicals both in North America and abroad. There were no candidates from Canada and the United States. Dr. Olujohungbe submitted his candidacy. A review committee, after interviews, accepted his application.

Dr Olujohungbe is a senior academic clinician with international recognition as an expert in hemoglobinopathies and myeloma. He is being recruited to CancerCare Manitoba with an academic appointment as associate professor in the department of Internal Medicine. He will be assuming a senior leadership role in the province in the specialty area of hemoglobinopathies.

Dr. Olujohungbe's qualifications and exceptional background mirror the clinical and academic needs of the organization. He will be a strong asset to both the University and CancerCare Manitoba”.