Oladipo Kukoyi, M.D., M.S., will join the Birmingham VA Medical Center (BVAMC) as the new chief of staff. Dr. Kukoyi formerly served in the Augusta VAMC as the deputy chief of staff in 2014 before being appointed as the chief of staff for the Augusta VAMC on July 25, 2015. “We look forward to working with Dr. Kukoyi in his new leadership role at the Birmingham VA Medical Center,” said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., executive vice dean in the UAB School of Medicine and director of the Division of Nephrology. “The School of Medicine has enjoyed a long and rewarding partnership with the Birmingham VA Medical Center, and we are delighted to welcome Dr. Kukoyi back to Birmingham.”
As a 1999 graduate of the UAB School of Medicine, Dr. Kukoyi says he is excited about his future here. “I’m a proud Blazer and am thrilled to be returning to Birmingham,” said Dr. Kukoyi. “I have fond memories of my time here, and I look forward to contributing to increased collaboration between the VA and UAB and helping prepare the next generation of physicians.”
Prior to joining the Augusta VAMC, Dr. Kukoyi was the chief of Mental Health at the Dorn VAMC in Columbia, South Carolina, from January 2013 to June 2014. While at Dorn VAMC, he served in multiple roles within the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 7, which provided him broad exposure to increasing areas of clinical and administrative responsibilities.
Dr. Kukoyi is board certified in psychiatry and family medicine. He is currently a clinical professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Kukoyi has expertise in psychosomatic medicine, treats a wide array of psychiatric conditions and has a research interest in the interface between psychiatric and medical conditions.
The relationship between the School of Medicine and the Birmingham VA Medical Center allows the school to further deliver on its mission areas. The BVAMC has seen a significant growth in its research portfolio, allowing for cutting-edge research and advancement of science within the VA system. The VA is also a fundamental piece in graduate medical education, offering residents the unique opportunity to provide care for a highly diverse patient population, gaining invaluable experience in helping patients who might be dealing with complex and multiple disease states.