Dr. John Akabutu is a medical pioneer and is considered by many in Canada as a preeminent specialist in the treatment of blood diseases and cancer in children.

After graduating with an MD Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax in 1967, he completed his pediatric residency and a combined clinical and research fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at the Children's Hospital Medical Centre in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA in 1971. He was appointed chief resident at the Medical Centre from 1971 to 1972. In 1972, he joined the Department of Pediatrics, becoming the first pediatric hematologist/oncologist ever to be recruited to the University of Alberta. He soon established the Department of Pediatrics at the Cross Cancer Institute and led it until his retirement from the active practice of oncology in 1994. During this period, his innovative approach to the treatment of cancer in children led to a 70% improvement in the survival and cure of children with cancer in northern Alberta.

While teaching at the University of Alberta, where he established the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dr. Akabutu founded the Comprehensive Hemophilia Centre at the University of Alberta Hospital. This Centre has remained one of the best Hemophilia treatment Centres in Canada and has significantly changed the quality of life for patients with bleeding disorders. In 1996, Dr. Akabutu founded the Alberta Cord Blood Bank, Canada's first repository for stem cells collected from birth that can be used to treat patients with blood diseases and cancer, particularly children. He has also held several appointments with the University of Alberta Hospital, worked extensively with the Cross Cancer Institute in various clinical and administrative capacities, and lent his expertise to organizations such as the Canadian Hemophilia Society, The Northern Alberta Children's Hospital, the International Society for Cell Therapy and the Pediatric Oncology Group. Dr. Akabutu has been a reviewer for the National Institutes of Health, USA, for its sickle cells programs.

Dr. Akabutu is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Alberta. A tireless educator, he has helped hundreds of young physicians, medical students and nurses develop and maintain their careers. He has also published dozens of clinical and research papers in his area of specialty. Dr. Akabutu has worked to advance the medical profession, serving on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Medical Association and its numerous committees, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, President of the University of Alberta Hospital Medical Staff Association and President of the Edmonton Academy of Medicine. Dr. Akabutu has also held several key positions at the faculty of medicine as chairman and member of faculty committees.

Dr. Akabutu's work has been recognized with many awards, including a long service from the Cross Cancer Institute, a humanitarian award from Ronald McDonald House, election to the Alpha Omega Medical Honour Society, 30 year service award from the University of Alberta. In 2003, Dr. Akabutu was honoured by the Capital Health Authority for his service to the Bleeding Disorder Community by the creation of the "Dr. John J. Akabutu Centre for Bleeding Disorders." He is the recipient of Long Service and Member Emeritus awards and the medal for Distinguished Service of the Alberta Medical Association. The Canadian Medical Association elected Dr. Akabutu to senior membership in 2004. In honour of the centenary of the city of Edmonton in 2004, Dr. Akabutu was named one of the one hundred Edmontonians of the Century. He received the Centennial Medal of the Province of Alberta in 2005 and was named as one of the 100 Alberta Physicians of the Century for his contributions to the progress of medicine in the Province of Alberta over the past 10 Decades.

p.s. High School: Adisadel College, Cape Coast
1994 - Co- Leader of an Alberta Trade Delegation to Ghana, Ivory Coast and Gabon.
1996 - Appointed Consul General (Hon), Republic of Ghana

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