One of Time magazine’s “2021 Next Generational Leaders,” DR. CHIKA STACY ORIUWA, MD, is a medical trailblazer spearheading change in health care and beyond. She is an accomplished physician, a spoken word poet and an advocate for racialized and marginalized populations. Oriuwa draws on her personal and professional experience to share insight and actionable strategies for transformative leadership, mental health and wellness, and to ignite change to build a more equitable future for all.

Currently a resident doctor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Oriuwa is a graduate of the school’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. In addition to her medical degree, Oriuwa has a master’s degree in health systems leadership and innovation from U of T. She also served on Indigo’s board of directors, informing their efforts in advancing equity and curating spaces of wellness and inclusion.

A recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honours, Oriuwa was named in Maclean’s Power 50 List in 2022 and was recognized as one of Best Health magazine’s “2020 Women of the Year.” She was also honoured in Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes campaign alongside five other women with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll made in her image to commemorate her contributions as a frontline health care worker. Recently, Oriuwa established the Dr. Chika Oriuwa Award for the Advancement of Black Health at Temerty Medicine to be awarded annually to a graduating medical student who has demonstrated their dedication to advancing health in the Black community.