Keeping it REAL: Re-Imagining Your Purpose | Ade Obayemi Jr. | TEDxCornell

Surgeon Dr. Ade Obayemi Jr. explores the growing disconnect between traditional definitions of success and the realities facing today’s generation of professionals. Drawing from his experiences as the son of Nigerian immigrants, a practicing surgeon, and a mentor to young professionals, Dr. Obayemi reflects on why so many ambitious, high-achieving people feel unfulfilled despite doing everything “right.” He examines how the career model we were taught to follow is no longer linear and the professional landscape has fundamentally changed. This talk is for anyone questioning their path, redefining success, or searching for fulfillment in an age where ambition itself is evolving. Dr. Ade Obayemi Jr. is a both a board-certified otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon as well as a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University. He subsequently attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania and received surgical training at the Columbia/Cornell combined residency program in head and neck surgery. Following this Dr. Obayemi completed a fellowship in facial plastic surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University. He specializes in complex head and neck reconstruction and cosmetic facial plastic surgery. He is passionate about medical education and diversity in surgical training. While practicing in NYC he co-founded the Black and Latino Men in Medicine (BLMIM), an 8-week immersion program for underrepresented college students interested in medical education. He also is interested in surgical missions and has completed several trips to sub-Saharan Africa to teach and perform reconstructive surgeries, including Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria. He has been in practice in central New York since 2021. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx