Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, looks back over the challenging and unprecedented events that unfolded during 2020 and shares what she has been reminded of while offering a positive outlook for the New Year.  

OMAHA, NE – December 20, 2020 – Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, has posted a new article on her website entitled, “2020 Hindsight,” in which Dr. Adetayo poses and ponders a multitude of questions that have risen to the surface as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Looking back on 2020,” Dr. Adetayo writes, adding, “it was a difficult year that affected the very fabric of humanity – individuals, societies, and nations. As a result of the unexpected and unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic, we realize how truly connected the human race is, regardless on which continent we reside.”

As Dr. Adetayo states, “Those of us in medicine and healthcare have been pushed to new limits. Many of the intrepid souls who work in hospitals did not make it. Too many healthcare professionals have succumbed to the virus, as well as thousands in the general population.” She continues, “Many lives and families will never be the same again. While those of us in healthcare have been on the front lines, we are not the only ones. From healthcare workers to family businesses, civic workers, law enforcement, farmers, supermarkets, and food distributors, many have also played important roles and faced higher risks of infection to varying degrees.”

“No one could have predicted the evolution of this year when the bell rang, the ball dropped, and we participated in the classic countdown announcing the Happy New Year on January 1^st, 2020,” Dr.Adetayo writes. She continues, “How quickly things changed in just a few weeks and months. The suffering brought about this year by the COVID-19 virus has been felt in every aspect of our society.” According to Dr. Adetayo, “Hardest hit are those communities that are typically always at greater risk, such as the elderly, the underserved and minority populations. My heart goes out to everyone. We are all in this together. We mourn and remember those who we have lost, and appreciate the ones who are with us.”

Dr. Adetayo asks, “What has 2020 reminded you of? That life is short? That we are all connected in one way or another? That social justice and racial inequality still have a long way to go? That we are all capable of immense courage in the face of adversity? That the only thing constant in life is change? That the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to help one another is something we can all aspire to? That every day is a gift and that is why it is called the present? That we cannot always control tomorrow? That the right to live is a desire and fight embedded in the human race? Even terrorism has subsided as everyone is seeking to protect their health and preserve their existence. Does 2020 remind you of survival and taking care of one another? That we should remember to cherish our loved ones and not take them for granted?” She says, “These are all things that 2020 has reminded me of, and I hope it has for you too.”

 

The entire article can be read at: http://seunadetayo.com/2021/01/04/2020-hindsight/

 

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 January 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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