At the University of Michigan, fostering an environment that is inclusive and equitable both in academics and athletics is a top priority. A leading figure in this mission is Oluwaferanmi Okanlami, widely known as Dr. O, who spearheads student accessibility and accommodation services.
As the director of this pivotal role, Dr. Okanlami manages the Services for Students with Disabilities office, oversees two testing accommodation centers, and nurtures academic support and access partnerships. He also initiated the Adaptive Sports & Fitness Program at U-M, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity.
“I am particularly proud of the growth and development of the Adaptive Sports and Fitness Program,” stated Okanlami, the recent recipient of the prestigious James T. Neubacher Award. “As an institution renowned for its exceptional academics and athletics, we are progressing towards establishing a sustainable program supporting disabled athletes across all levels, including those aiming for the Paralympic Games.
“We are also inclusive of non-disabled individuals, demonstrating that adaptive sports are for everyone, and educating our community on disability awareness, culture and inclusion in the process.”
The James T. Neubacher Award, established in memory of U-M alumnus and journalist Jim Neubacher, is an annual accolade celebrating U-M community members who exhibit exceptional leadership in advancing opportunities for the disabled.
Beyond his accessibility services role, Dr. Okanlami is an assistant professor in several medical disciplines, including family medicine, rehabilitation, urology, and orthopedic surgery. His expertise extends to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he contributes to an adaptive sports medicine initiative, anticipating the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.
Originally from Nigeria, Okanlami emigrated to the U.S. during his youth. He attended Deerfield Academy, followed by Stanford University, excelling in track and field as a team captain and Academic All-American. Although he encountered a life-altering spinal cord injury during his orthopedic training at Yale, he has since thrived as a wheelchair user, advocating for accessibility and inclusion.
“I was born to two physician parents, attended private schools through most of my education, and have been in a position of privilege for the majority of my life. After my injury, once I started to live life ‘from the other side of the stethoscope,’ as I call it, I recognized how unintentionally complicit I had been to perpetuating the system of ableism that exists in higher education, in our health systems, and in the world in general,” Okanlami explained.
“So, I turned my attention to doing whatever I could to make sure that everyone, regardless of disability status, was given equitable access to live their lives to the fullest. There were opportunities that I had been afforded as a non-disabled student, clinician and citizen of the world that were now inaccessible to members of the disability community, despite them being just as deserving.”
Honorable mention recipients
- The following faculty, staff and students were finalists for this year’s Neubacher Award:
- Tess Carichner, a first-year Ph.D. student in the School of Nursing
- Cari Carson, an alumna of U-M and the current supervising attorney of the education team at Disability Rights North Carolina
- Christina Dadswell, assistant director of field education, residential program and lecturer III in social work, School of Social Work
- Shanna Katz Kattari, associate professor of social work, School of Social Work; and associate professor of women’s and gender Studies, LSA
- Jonathon McGlone, senior associate librarian, Michigan Publishing, University Library
- Haylie L. Miller, assistant professor of kinesiology, School of Kinesiology
- Melissa Jugo Tinney, clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Medical School
Dr. Okanlami further expanded his academic credentials by acquiring a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and completing a family medicine residency in South Bend. His leadership experience includes serving on the St. Joseph County Board of Health, where he was appointed by former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
At the University of Michigan, he is part of the Institute on Health Policy and Innovation and serves on several committees focusing on well-being and inclusion. His accolades include the Distinguished Early Career Alumni Award and the “A Teacher’s Teacher Award” from the Academy of Medical Educators.
Nationally, Okanlami holds positions on various boards and committees, such as the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society Board and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. His recognition by the White House Office of Public Engagement for the Health Equity Leaders Roundtable underscores his influential role in promoting healthcare access.
Okanlami often emphasizes his motto, “Disabusing Disability,” aiming to redefine perceptions by showing that disability does not equate to inability.
“For his compassionate advocacy, and vast contributions to disability rights, mentorship and inclusion, Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami embodies the hallmarks of the James T. Neubacher Award,” remarked Pam McGuinty, co-chair of the Council for Disability Concerns and the award selection committee.
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Okanlami remarked, “This recognition is truly an acknowledgment of the support I have been provided by the entire disability community here at U-M and across Ann Arbor.”
“As someone who has now had two stints here at Michigan, first as a non-disabled medical student years ago and now as a disabled faculty and staff member, my University of Michigan experience has varied significantly. When I returned to Ann Arbor in 2017 after completing my residency, I was still in the process of understanding my own disability journey.
“It was members of our disability community here that showed me grace, introduced me to aspects of disability culture and identity, and gave me an opportunity to get involved in disability advocacy, first as a passion, and then eventually as a profession. So, while this may be called an individual award, I truly believe this reflects the collective efforts of people who have poured into me, and who gave me the opportunity to be where I am today.”
The Neubacher Award, introduced in 1990, is supported by the Council for Disability Concerns along with the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office, University Human Resources, Michigan Medicine, and the Office of the President.
