Griffs Under 40: Dodji V. Modjinou '05, MD

July 18, 2017

Buffalo, NY - Dodji V. Modjinou’s journey in the U.S. has taken him a long way – in a short amount of time – from his native Togo, West Africa. 

Inspired to pursue a career in medicine after accompanying his godfather on medical mission trips, Modjinou came to America in 2001 to study biology at Canisius.  Hard work and a reverence for education now make him a leading specialist and scholar in the field of rheumatology. 

In practice as an academic physician in Las Vegas, NV, Modjinou provides relief to patients who suffer from musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions. His fluency in five languages enables Modjinou to deliver an added dose of personal care to his patients. 

At the same time, Modjinou is engaged in cutting-edge research on crystal disease in order to develop effective treatments for patients who suffer from gout.  He collaborates on his research with the Crystals Disease Study Group at New York University’s School of Medicine.  

Modjinou also finds time to mentor the next generation of medical students.  He is an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine.

And though he is a long way from home, Modjinou works to further new health programs in Togo.  As a liaison for the international nonprofit Advisors of Hope Through Health, Modjinou collaborates with the president of the Togolese Ministry of Health on ways to provide lifesaving services to HIV/AIDS patients, and to promote infantile and maternal health.