Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, presents a brief overview and a link to the historic contributions people of color have made to all of humanity through the medical field and honors these pioneers who’ve made it possible for her and others to follow in their footsteps.

OMAHA, NE – February 18, 2021 – Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, has posted a new blog on her website entitled, “A Debt Of Gratitude To The Medical Profession’s African American Trailblazers.” Dr. Adetayo takes the time during Black History Month to recognize and honor those who came before her and to acknowledge her role in paving the way for future generations.

Dr. Adetayo states, “As a woman of color in the medical profession today, I have a long line of brilliant and courageous pioneers to thank.” She continues, “Their contributions have benefited humanity regardless of race, sex, gender, or creed. These trailblazers have paved the way for other persons of color drawn to the medical profession.” Dr. Adetayo adds, “During this Black History Month, I would like to pay a special tribute to these pioneers, as a way of thanking them for making it possible, not only to follow in their intrepid footsteps but also to continue paving the way for future generations.”

According to Dr. Adetayo’s blog, the first African American noted as making a contribution to the medical field was “Onesimus, an enslaved African who described to his owner, Cotton Mather, the African method of inoculation against smallpox.” (https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/blackhistorymonth).

As Dr. Adetayo notes, “There are so many “firsts” to recognize, from the first successful open-heart surgery performed by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams in 1893 to the first black professional nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney, in 1879 to Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in 1864.” She adds, “Dr. Charles Drew led the way on how to store plasma for blood transfusions, and Dr. James Smith was the first black man to practice medicine in the United States with a medical degree.”

 

The entire blog can be read at: http://seunadetayo.com/2021/02/12/a-debt-of-gratitude-to-the-medical-professions-african-american-trailblazers/

 

About Dr. Adetayo

Dr. Seun Adetayo currently practices in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon and a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  She is a Professor of Surgery, and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Adetayo is unique in her field. As a gifted surgeon operating in a competitive field, Dr. Adetayo is also the first foreign-born (Nigerian) female minority surgeon to have built a successful nationally accredited multidisciplinary program for children with birth defects in Northeastern New York. She continued in this trajectory of helping patients and families as she now heads the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery where she serves as the Chief at the Children’s Hospital.  Her journey has been dedicated to caring for patients and their families; mentorship for students, residents, and faculty; advocacy for legislation at local and national level; research; education; and community engagement and leadership. She shares her journey and strategies for success via her print material, meeting panels, blogs and speaking engagements.

Dr Adetayo has authored several book chapters in leading texts, including the second edition of Comprehensive Cleft Care which is an authoritative text volume on cleft and craniofacial disorders and treatment.  She also authored a chapter in the Family Companion Guide for educating patients and families with cleft and craniofacial diagnoses. She was also the author of the chapter on treatment of zygoma fractures in the text Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery.

She has received over 40 awards and recognition, and her work has resulted in over 50 published works and over 60 presented works at regional, national, and international meetings. She is published in peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, Annals of Plastic Surgery, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, and Journal of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics.

Dr Adetayo plays an important role in mentoring and education in surgery, healthcare, and professional circles. She served as an invited surgeon and surgical educator during her last mission trip to Zimbabwe, where she served as the lead surgeon and guest lecturer for various hands-on plastic surgical reconstructions and teaching sessions. She is active in Women In Leadership lectures and advocacy. She served as a speaker for the Synthes collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Company on Improving Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare, and was one of four selected panelist speakers on Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery International Program by L’Oreal in conjunction with Resurge International. She was an invited speaker at the 2019 Healthcare Finance Management Association (HFMA) annual Women In Leadership Conference in upstate New York. In 2020, she served as the Keynote Speaker for the Stryker Women’s Network National Conference National Women in Surgery and Leadership event in California.

Dr. Adetayo has served in various community leadership positions including Chairperson of the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Co-President of the Phi Delta Epsilon Premedical Society, Co-President of the Pritzker REMEDY Cuba Medical Aid Mission, Coordinator of the Chicago Local Chapter of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) program for inner city Chicago school kids. She currently serves as Managing Editor and Co-Chair of the Learning Resource Committee of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA).

She has been involved in various medical education and surgical trips to several countries including Cuba, Haiti, Nigeria, Peru, and Zimbabwe as educator and surgeon.  She was awarded a Diploma of Honor conferred by the President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru.  She collaborates on meaningful initiatives with various international organizations including Rotary International and The Smile Train on improving surgical outcomes, healthcare delivery, patient safety, and quality control standards in surgical reconstruction. She continues to be active in advocacy, and philanthropic efforts in developing children and advancing communities.

 

 

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