Bryan Jarabek
Hospitalist colleague
Dr. Obafemi Ayantuga B.Sc., D. Phil., MBBChir., SFHM,. FACP., MPH was the Medical Director of Hospitalist services at the Fairview Medical group in Minnesota, U.S.A.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Bio Chemistry from London University in 1986 and then proceeded to Oxford University to pursue his Ph.D in Organic Chemistry. At Oxford University, Dr. Ayantuga was able to complete his thesis in an impressive time period of just under 3 years and at a fairly young age of 23 years. During his research at Oxford, he developed a molecular cell and was awarded the coveted Bishop Frazer prize for Excellence in research in Organic Chemistry by the University of Oxford.
Obafemi Ayantuga’s quest for learning was not to end there. He decided to go on to medical school and graduated a few years later from Cambridge University with a MBBChir. in 1994. There, he received the John and Margaret Henderson memorial prize in Medicine. He worked as a Senior house officer in a couple of UK hospitals before leaving for the U.S.A to continue his career where he was an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Minnesota Medical school.
Dr. Ayantuga worked at the Kanabec hospital in Mora, Minnesota for a few years and at the time of his death, was working at the Fairview Southdale Hospital group, having been appointed Medical Director there in 2010.
He had many years of experience in Professional Medical leadership and has served on various committees ranging from Patient care, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Medical Group Practice to Hospital Trauma care, to name but a few.
He belonged to several professional affiliations such as the American College of Physicians, The society of Hospital Medicine, The American college of Physician Executives and the American Public Health Association.
Dr. Ayantuga garnered a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in the Medical and Research fields and became one of the 47 Senior Fellows in Hospital Medicine(SFHM) in the U.S.A in the elite class of 2014. He continued until his death, to demonstrate dedication to quality and process involvement, illustrating commitment to active engagement in lifelong learning.
To a fellow kingsman, I leave a tribute even though i am much younger than you and did not not meet you in KC and never met you in this life. I have been amazed by your academic profile and initmidating CV. You make us all feel like mere mortals. I am sure you carried yourself with humility and dignity going by the tributes I have read. You have left this world to early. At a time Nigeria needs men like you of sound intelligence and dignity. You are one of the the best and the brightest and I weep in anguish that your working experience hadn't impacted in Nigeria at this opportune time. By taking a last degree in Public Health maybe you were anticipating a return to Nigeria to advise government! Ah Ah sun re O omoluabi. We love you but Jesus loves you more.
Femi I find it difficult to embrace the news.
I remember nearly 40 years ago in sunny fields when you & I excelled soo much in maths. You will come first mostly, I mostly 2nd & there was 1 more person, whom I tacked with. We were so young. You were also so handsome & gentle. And we also lived next to each other & your sisters were lovely .Lola used to be my school mother in MG. How could you leave your so sudden without no notice. Sun re o. You will be greatly remembered o. Your legacy of excelling & hard work will live on. Lola, Busola, Bola & the rest of the family sorry o.May God uphold strengthen & sustain you all
I remember the summer, 2013, when i sat in your living room in Lagos as I prepared to leave for the US to do my MPH. Although it was the first and only meeting with you through Pamela, I felt comfortable sharing my concerns about relocating and you listened patiently. Thank you once again. You even shared that you would like to do an MPH despite your other degrees. I am glad you finally completed your MPH as you desired.
On the 29th of July, as I planned to call you to say, 'Doc, I'm rounding up my MPH and also passed my board exams', a call came from Pamela about your transition......
May your transition open new chapters in the lives of all that came across you especially your family.
I hope to meet you in heaven someday.