Dr. Bola Omotosho
Chairperson, Community Board 5
Dr. Bola Omotosho is the Chairperson of Bronx Community Board 5, where he was first elected in 2007. Dr. Omotosho is also an Infectious Disease Clinical Researcher. Dr. Bola Omotosho graduated with honors obtaining his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine from Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria (formerly University of Ife). He received further training in Anesthesiology and has had a successful medical career with the Nigeria Navy before relocating to the United States in the late nineties, where he pursued his medical career in Hematology/Oncology and Infectious Disease dedicated to doing clinical research in finding cures.
Dr. Bola as he is fondly called, works and lives in the Bronx. He exhibits a voluntary civic-minded commitment to improving quality of life and consistently bringing resources to his community despite the enormous demands of his medical career. He joined Community Board 5 in 1999, where he is currently the longest serving community Board Chairperson. Under his leadership, he has led several initiatives towards improving his district. He is currently the Chairperson of the Housing Committee and the President of Mount Hope Housing Corporation Board of Directors, a non-profit organization, providing affordable housing, youth services, employment, job training, real estate development, and asset building programs to residents of the Mount Hope community in the Bronx. Among his achievements is the collaboration between Mount Hope Housing Company, Community Board 5, and Morris Heights Health Center, with the development of the Harrison Circle Senior Housing. He previously served as the Chairperson of NYC Health + Hospital/North Central Bronx Hospital Community Advisory Board, where he was instrumental in helping to keep the hospitals doors open to the community.
He is a community leader with a passion for serving the people. During the January tragic fire incident in the Fordham section of the Bronx, Dr. Bola worked tirelessly with various elected officials, city and state agencies and local organizations to aid relief efforts for residence of the Twin Park Tower’s that were impacted. He recently orchestrated the donation of dialysis machines to the Association Haut-Nkam of New York to be used by the Haut-Nkam community in Cameroon in West-Central Africa, and to various states in Nigeria. He is a champion of the Kidney/Organ donation drive especially among Africans in New York City. Bola also facilitated the donation of dental chairs and dental equipment to the School of Dentistry – Obafemi Awolowo University from New York University (NYU).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his team at Montefiore Health System led to the approval of two COVID-19 treatment drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition to the approved treatments, he also participated in a sizeable number of research studies that involved finding a reliable point of care test, and a vaccine for COVID-19.
Dr. Bola is a recipient of several awards from various organizations, local government, cities, states and US Congress for his community services and academic excellence. He has been featured in many speaking forums, locally and internationally. He continues works with several law enforcement agencies to keep New York City streets safe and improve the quality of life in The Bronx, and New York City. He is an alumnus of New York Police Citizen Academy and FBI Citizens’ Academy. In 2009, he was the recipient of the humanitarian award from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Dr. Bola is a member of the Board of United States Selective Service for the military. He belongs to several organizations and has a sizeable number of professional affiliations.