• Dr. Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH, BDS, FAAFP, DFASAM, FAMWA—"The Doctor Writer and Doctor Singer"—embodies the spirit of a true Renaissance professional. With an extraordinary blend of expertise, she bridges multiple disciplines, including dentistry, public health, family medicine, and addiction medicine. Her unique combination of medical and dental degrees (MD, BDS) and public health training (MPH), along with fellowships in both the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (FASAM), positions her at the forefront of holistic patient care.

    Dr. Simoyan's multifaceted approach to medicine and her artistic pursuits allow her to connect with patients and audiences in profound and innovative ways. Her work exemplifies the powerful intersection of science, art, and compassionate care.

    Dr. Simoyan's journey has taken her to explore the intersection of medicine and the arts. While she finds fulfillment in her roles as a physician and researcher, she has also discovered a profound love for the arts, expressing herself creatively through writing, music, and photography.

    At present, Dr. Simoyan is a practicing addiction medicine physician and a full professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. She holds board certifications in addiction medicine and family medicine.

Career Highlights

Dr. Simoyan is a practicing addiction medicine physician and a full professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine.

  • Board certifications: addiction medicine, family medicine, and dental public health (2002- 2022)

  • Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians 

  • Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine

  • Founding Medical Director of Research, Caron Treatment Centers

  • Founding Executive Director of Research, Caron Treatment Centers

  • Founding faculty member, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

  • First medical director, Habit Opco/Dunmore Comprehensive Treatment Center (opioid addiction treatment program)

  • First lead physician (medical director), Clean Slate Centers, Scranton and Wilkes Barre, PA (opioid addiction treatment program)

  • Program Director, Geisinger Marworth Addiction Medicine Fellowship – under Dr. Simoyan’s leadership, the program was among the first cohort of addiction medicine fellowships in the US to obtain accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

  • Part of the first cohort of physicians to obtain board certification in addiction medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine

At the 2022 Arnold Gold Foundation gala. Read more.

Honors & Awards

  • Pro-Health International’s Award of Excellence in Humanitarian Services, 2023

  • National Humanism in Medicine Medal (Arnold Gold Foundation), 2022

  • Top 25 Women in Business Award – Northeast PA Business Journal, 2015 

  • Second Prize Winner, Citizen Diplomacy Award, US State Department, 2015

  • Society for Teachers in Family Medicine Editorial Fellowship, 2015-16

  • Best in Class Award- Visual Presentation- Family Medicine Education Consortium, 2015, Women in Family Medicine - a medical humanities project featuring an exhibit and video, 2015.

  • Fulbright specialist scholar to Nigeria, 2012, 2013, 2014

  • Erasmus Mundus scholar to France, 2012 and UK, 2013

  • Harvard Macy Institute scholar, 2012

  • Gold humanism in medicine scholarship recipient, 2012

  • Herbert Nickens faculty fellowship award recipient (American Association of Medical Colleges), 2012

  • Family Medicine Education Consortium Emerging Leader Award, 2010

  • Family Medicine Resident Award for Scholarship, June 2009

  • Leonard Tow Award for Humanism in Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine recipient, 2006

  • American Medical Womens’ Association Community Service Award, 2004-2005

  • Penn State/Good Samaritan Family Practice Residency Medical Student Research Award, 2005

Editorial Roles

  • Founding Editor in Chief, Silver Linings (Reading Hospital/Tower Health)

  • Founding Editor in Chief, Black Diamonds, Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College

  • Founding Editor, New Voices column, Pulse - Voices from the Heart of Medicine

  • Former Associate Editor, Medical Education Online