Chief Dr. Augustine Kayode Kole-James
Born: May 4, 1945
Died: March 24, 2010
Dr. Kole-James was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria to Chief Nicholas Bankole Kole-James and Elizabeth Kole-James.
At 10 years of age, Dr. Kole-James nearly died from pneumonia and this illness and the exceptional care he received motivated him to study medicine. He was educated in Nigeria and attended the University of Ibadan where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology. In 1971, he relocated to the United States to continue his studies at Columbia University, majoring in Pharmacy. He received a full scholarship to pursue his doctorate degree at Wayne State University. He graduated with honors as a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1976.
He received his medical degree in 1981 from New York SUNY Downstate University. He became a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Clinical Medicine, American Board of Managed Care Medicine, Fellow Royal College of Physicians (USA) and the Fellow American College of Physicians.
Dr. Kole–James wanted to treat the whole person, while being sure everyone had access to affordable, excellent medical care. He opened Professional Medical Centers, consisting of five multi-specialty clinics in Detroit in 1984. In 1996 he established ProCare Health Plan, a Medicaid HMO. In 2004 Dr. Kole-James started Pro Care Plus, Inc., which provided health care services to Wayne County residents.
Dr. Kole-James was very involved in the community. The Michigan Governor appointed him to the Medicaid Liaison Committee, MSMS, and the Quality Effectiveness Committee.
He received the Doctor Recognition Award from Mercy Hospital, and the Merit Award by the Association of Poverty Adjudication Beneficiaries of Nigeria. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Nigerian Foundation of Michigan, Vice Chair of the African World Expo and led three trade missions to Nigeria, Grand Patron of Yoruba American Community, and National Patron of Egba National Association for the United States and Canada, Board member for the New Center Community Mental Health, and a board member for the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts.
In 2009, he was bestowed the chieftaincy title of Asiwaju Basegun of Egbaland.