Omobonike Oloruntoba-Sanders, MD, associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, is the recipient of the 2026 Kimberley J. Evans Legacy Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to community-building, mentorship, and advancing a culture of inclusion within academic medicine.
Selected by an internal faculty committee, the award honors faculty members who have made meaningful efforts to strengthen engagement among trainees and colleagues, advocate for equitable career development, and foster environments where all members of the medical community can thrive.
Dr. Oloruntoba-Sanders’ work stands out for its depth, consistency, and impact both within the Department of Medicine and beyond.
She was nominated by Division Chief Dr. Andrew Muir, with a supporting letter from Omar Martinez-Uribe, MD. In his nomination, Muir described her as “a talented clinician who is especially dedicated to the experience of others in her world,” noting that “we see and feel the impact of [her] actions for members of the Duke community and beyond.”
Dr. Oloruntoba-Sanders’ leadership has been particularly influential in shaping initiatives that promote belonging and engagement. Internal Medicine Residency Program Director Dr. Aimee Zaas highlighted her role in helping define the Dr. Kim Evans Community Engagement leadership rotation, calling her “an outstanding example of a leader who embodies the ideals of Kim Evans.”
In his letter of support, Martinez-Uribe drew a direct connection between Dr. Oloruntoba-Sanders’ work and the legacy of the award’s namesake. “Much like Dr. Evans,” he wrote, she “champions opportunity, leads with empathy, and invests in people… because she deeply believes in the importance of belonging and equity in academic medicine.”
Together, these reflections underscore a career defined not only by clinical excellence but by a sustained commitment to lifting others and strengthening the fabric of the academic community. Through her leadership, advocacy, and mentorship, Oloruntoba-Sanders continues to carry forward the enduring legacy of Kimberley J. Evans — one rooted in equity, connection, and meaningful change, her colleagues said.