Spine specialist joins practice in Lewes

Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware recently welcomed Dr. Abimbola Afolabi, a general orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal care, to its growing staff.

Afolabi, a native of Nigeria, is a board-eligible, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in nonsurgical as well as surgical treatment of spinal disorders. Her training has led her to specialize in a growing need for treatment of degenerative disc problems, stenosis, metabolic osteoporosis, tumors of the spine and other ailments.

"Due to the growing need of general orthopedics, especially related to spinal disorders, we are proud to have Dr. Afolabi as part of a growing team that has seen four new surgeons in the last year," said office administrator Jay Flack.

"Despite only working here for a few months, Abimbola is already in full swing, undergoing an extremely smooth transition while providing a unique and patient-based methodical approach for each case. Even though her extensive resume speaks for itself, Dr. Afolabi is an extremely talented, knowledgeable and genuine individual that we have received endless positive patient feedback from her patients already," said Flack.

As the population continues to grow in the area, so does Orthopaedic Associates, which now has 12 providers with offices in Lewes and Millsboro, Flack said.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Abimbola moved to the United States in 2000. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and later attended Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey, graduating in the top 5 percent of her class, and receiving leadership and merit awards. Afolabi completed her orthopedic surgery residency at University of Maryland/Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, and then pursued specialty training as a spine and scoliosis fellow at the Hospital for Special Surgery Weil Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.

"Since I started my education, I have been marching up and down the East Coast, experiencing different areas in which healthcare availability was either prevalent or access was not as obtainable. Regardless of the situation, it has always been my goal to educate patients on their disorders or ailments and ultimately become partners in their journey to good health," Afolabi said.

Afolabi has served as assistant physician professor at Virginia Tech in Roanoke, Va., and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va. Abimbola also volunteered to serve patients in both Ghana and Haiti.

In Ghana, she volunteered at a hospital where she worked with the former president of the Scoliosis Research Society, Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, to help treat rare and complex spinal deformities in children and adults. "People came from all over Africa to obtain the care they needed," she said. "Scoliosis is a life-or-death matter in a place like this, as it compromises both the heart and lungs of the individual. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of months there to see my patients through treatment and the joy that was shown as they recovered."

When she accepted the position in Lewes, her husband and two sons moved to Lewes, as the Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware work with Beebe Medical Group for more serious and on-call situations.

"I am so happy to be part of such a welcoming community such as Lewes and part of a great group, and see how this is a great place to raise a family. I can't say I don't like being near the beach either," she said.

"I wake up every day loving what I do, and how I can help people of all ages. Not everything is surgical. It is important for me to hear the concerns of each patient, while educating them and showing them each step of their personalized treatment plan," Afolabi said.

She hopes to bring new techniques to the practice and to use minimally invasive spine surgeries. "The potential for growth has already begun, and we look to build on that momentum by providing access to more medical services and procedures on the Eastern Shore," said Afolabi.

For more information on the Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware, their staff and services; visit their website at: www.delawarebonedocs.com.