Dr. Oluwaseun Omofoye knew from a very young age growing up in Nigeria, West Africa, that he wanted to be a physician.
He didn’t have much interaction with doctors as he pursued his dream as a young boy, but he looked up to physicians as superheroes.
Now, the neurosurgeon at Tidelands Health is aiming to inspire the next generation of physicians by giving them a glimpse into the life of a physician that he didn’t have.
Dr. Omofoye recently participated in the career fair at St. James Elementary School, wowing the third and fourth graders with his expertise, professionalism and passion for helping patients.
“Before starting medical school, I had only one or two interactions with physicians, and that’s something I wish to change for others,” Dr. Omofoye says. “I’m very happy to be able to speak with elementary school students, expose them to medicine and hopefully inspire a young girl or boy to become interested in medicine and/or surgery. Particularly, as a person of color in medicine, there are so few of us in this field, and I truly believe in the power of representation.”

While showing off models of a skull, brain and spine at the career fair at St. James Elementary School, Dr. Omofoye talked with groups of students about being a neurosurgeon and why it’s his passion.
He also shared “cool” facts about being a neurosurgeon, including using robotics for brain biopsies and performing brain surgeries through the nose and sometimes through an eyebrow incision. He talked about using electrodes in the brain to improve motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
“The kids asked so many great questions, and hopefully I inspired a young budding neurosurgeon out there,” Dr. Omofoye says, adding that students asked about the types of surgeries he performs, how long the surgeries take and whether patients feel pain after a surgery.

He appreciates the inquisitive minds. Dr. Omofoye, who moved to the United States with his family when he was a teenager, can relate. His curiosity and determination to fulfill his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon led him through 19 years of specialized studies and training in the latest medical techniques and technology at some of the country’s premier universities.

Dr. Omofoye is helping lead the expansion of Tidelands Health Neurosciences, ushering in a new level of care and treatment in our region for a variety of brain, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. He specializes in the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors and is proficient in minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques.
Now that he’s living his childhood dream, he makes sure to take time to inspire others.
“It’s a privilege to be able to talk about my job to kids and other mentees because my dream growing up was to become a doctor,” Dr. Omofoye says. “The path to becoming a neurosurgeon came with many challenges and required a lot of dedication and sacrifice. I am grateful to be on the other side doing what I love and to be able to inspire young children to consider medicine and neurosurgery.”