A Nigerian woman, Adanwimo “Ada” Okafor has been appointed General Counsel for the American Board of Surgery (ABS).
The appointment was confirmed on Friday, October 1, 2021, by ABS President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Jo Buyske via a Press Release posted on the ABS’ website.
“The American Board of Surgery (ABS), the national certifying body for general surgeons and related specialists, announced today that Adanwimo “Ada” Okafor, Esq., has been named general counsel of the organization, effective October 1. She fills this position following the retirement of previous general counsel, Abby Pozefsky, Esq.”
“We are very excited to promote Ada to general counsel,” said ABS President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jo Buyske. “She is a natural leader and an all-around great person who has already made great strides as our CDEIO and will make an immediate impact leading our legal department.”
The appointment makes Adanwimo “Ada” Okafor the first Nigerian and the first black woman to hold the prestigious position. She is taking over from Abby Pozefsky, Esq, who retired few days ago.
Celebrating the elevation on her LinkedIn, Okafor thanked God for her new position, adding that there were times she felt like quitting her profession.
Taking to her LinkedIn page, she wrote, “Honestly, this moment feels so surreal because I never thought I would be here. My journey to become a lawyer was full of ups and downs.
“There were times I felt like this is my calling and my purpose. Other times, I felt like I didn’t belong, that I wasn’t supposed to be here at all. I wanted to quit and walk away, but I didn’t.
“I’m the product of years of relentless prayers, years of unconditional love, years of nurturing, years of support, years of favor…
“…years of forgiveness, years of sacrifice, years of persistence, years of failure, years of mistakes, years of fulfillment, years of grit and God’s daily grace, and years of overcoming some of life’s biggest and most challenging moments.
“I first want to thank God publicly for what he’s done for me privately all these years. That I’m here at this very moment is evidence of his love, his mercy, and his grace. I don’t deserve but he continues to bless me, and I’m forever grateful for his unfailing word.”
Born in Nigeria, Adanwimo Okafor was raised in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States with her parents as a teenager. she holds a law degree from American University, Washington College of Law.
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) was formed in 1937. It certifies medical doctors who have gone through graduate training in the field of surgery. Okafor is heading the legal department.