Ruth Adekunle, MD

Dr. Ruth Adekunle is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (RHJVAMC). She received her infectious diseases training at Emory University where she also successfully obtained a TL1 grant award for a Master of Science and Clinical Research (MSCR). Dr. Adekunle’s research is generally focused on disparities in access to transplantation, HIV and HCV care continuum, and infections in immunocompromised hosts. Through her project entitled “Identifying the barriers and disparities for referral to kidney transplantation faced by persons living with HIV and end-stage renal disease,” she was able to create the region’s first dataset that identified persons living with HIV with end-stage renal disease. Upon joining RHJVAMC, she established herself as an investigator at the Charleston VA HEROIC Center and has received funding through the HSR&D Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (COIN). She is additionally funded through a VISN7 Research and Development Award addressing how COVID-19 has impacted care retention and engagement for veterans with HIV. Clinically, she attends on the inpatient Infectious Diseases consult service, is actively engaged with teaching fellows, residents, and students, and serves as an associate program director for MUSC’s infectious diseases fellowship. Dr. Adekunle is excited about the opportunity to further develop skills and expertise in implementation science as a HIGH IRI Fellow.