Annual
BPAO GALA
Since 2024
The BPAO Gala has grown into one of the Association’s signature annual events, bringing together physicians, healthcare professionals, community leaders, partners, and supporters to celebrate Black excellence in healthcare, recognize those making a difference, strengthen community connections, and support BPAO’s continued work to advance health and wellbeing.
Three
Annual Galas
800+
Guests Across Our Galas
800+
800+
10K+
Raised to Support BPAO Initiatives
2024 - Inaugural Gala
Theme: Black Joy
The Black Joy Gala marked BPAO’s first-ever Gala, an evening created to celebrate Black joy, excellence, and achievement within our communities. Black joy was at the heart of the celebration: recognizing the strength, accomplishments, and moments of joy that deserve to be seen and celebrated.
The inaugural Gala also marked the launch of the BPAO Black Excellence Awards, creating a platform to recognize individuals and organizations making a meaningful difference in healthcare and the community.
2025
Theme: Empowered Healers: Honouring the Legacy and Leadership of Black Women in Medicine.
BPAO’s second annual Gala centred the women whose leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and dedication have helped shape the landscape of Black medicine in Canada. Empowered Healers honoured pioneering Black women physicians whose contributions have opened pathways for greater Black representation in medicine and supported generations of physicians and medical learners.
The evening honoured Dr. Nah-Amakuma Barnor, Dr. Anna Jarvis, Dr. Remi Ogundimu, Dr. Miriam Rossi, and Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass, recognizing their lasting contributions to medicine, medical education, community building, and advocacy.
2026
Theme: Honouring Black Visionaries Transforming Healthcare
BPAO’s third annual Gala celebrated the visionaries transforming medicine through innovation, leadership, research, advocacy, education, and service. Under the theme Black Visionaries, the sold-out evening brought together Black physicians, medical learners, healthcare leaders, community partners, and allies from across Ontario to recognize the many dimensions of Black excellence in medicine.
The 2026 BPAO Awards recognized physicians, learners, and partners whose work is shaping healthcare and creating meaningful change in their communities, including Dr. Fahima Osman, Dr. Onye Nnorom, Dr. Femi Ayeni, Dr. Ayodele Odutayo, and Dr. Chantal Phillips.
From Our Guests
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“Lovely ambiance, beautiful décor, great music and networking, and a wonderful sense of joy and pride in our community.”
—2024 Gala Attendee
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“Great event, filled with great food, good humour, and wonderful networking. Thanks to all who helped pull it together and made it such a great success.”
—2025 Gala Attendee
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"What I enjoyed most was seeing BPAO honour physicians from earlier generations whose contributions had not received the recognition they deserved. Shout out to the BPAO leadership!”
—2026 Gala Attendee
Join Us
Be Part of The Next Gala
Each year, the BPAO Gala brings our community together for an evening of celebration, connection, and purpose. Stay connected for updates about our next Gala.