Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker uses her platform to raise awareness of medical pioneers who created opportunities for a more diverse and equitable medical field.

OMAHA, NE – February 25, 2022 – During the month of February, we are reminded of the great accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans in our history. This year, Dr. Seun Adetayo honors the first African American female surgeon, Dr. Dorothy Lavinia Brown and the African American surgeon to perform the first open-heart surgery, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. She shares their stories of determination and hard work as a great example to remind us of what is possible. Learn more about each of these incredible surgeons in Part 1 and Part 2 of Dr. Adetayo’s three-part Black History Month series. Dr. Adetayo will conclude this series with a final post to highlight the contributions of three doctors who have made a difference in the field.

Part one of this mini-series can be read HERE.

Part two of this mini-series can be read HERE.

About Dr. Adetayo

Dr. Seun Adetayo currently practices as a board-certified Plastic Surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, 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 on this trajectory of helping patients and families and 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, advocating for legislation both locally and nationally and mentoring students, residents, and faculty. Her leadership in research, education, and community engagement contributes to the legacy that she is continuing to cultivate every day. 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; as well as a chapter on treatment of zygoma fractures in the text Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery.

She has received over 40 awards and recognition, and she has contributed to over 50 published works and over 60 presentations at regional, national, and international meetings. She is published in peer-reviewed publications like 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 teaching in surgery, healthcare, and professional circles. She was 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 was 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 Healthcare Finance Management Association’s (HFMA) annual Women In Leadership Conference in 2019 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, where she was relied on as an educator and surgeon. She was awarded a Diploma of Honor conferred by the President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru during her time there. 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 healing children and advancing communities.