Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye is a renowned Nigerian pediatric surgeon known for his groundbreaking work in fetal surgery. He gained global recognition in 2016 when he successfully operated on a baby in utero (inside the womb), removed a tumor, and then returned the baby to the mother’s womb to continue developing until birth.
Key Achievements:
- Fetal Surgery Pioneer: In 2016, at Texas Children’s Hospital, he performed a surgery on Lynlee Boemer, a baby diagnosed with sacrococcygeal teratoma (a rare tumor). The baby was taken out of the womb at 23 weeks, had the tumor removed, and was then placed back in the womb to continue growing until full term.
- Medical Leadership: In 2019, Dr. Olutoye was appointed as the Surgeon-in-Chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, USA.
- Education: He studied medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria, and later earned a Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University, USA.
Impact & Recognition:
- His work has helped advance the field of fetal surgery, giving hope to families facing complex birth defects.
- He is widely celebrated as an inspiration for African doctors and surgeons around the world.
