A renowned spine surgeon, Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo is the chief surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care (ICSC), a practice he launched in 2010 and grew to multiple locations in the New York City metropolitan area.
He began his journey toward becoming a top spine surgeon at Brown University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and subsequently earned his MD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He then worked under William Donaldson, MD, as a spine surgery fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. After completing his fellowship, Dr. Okubadejo spent two years at Active Joints Orthopedics in Englewood before establishing the ICSC.
The ICSC now has offices in Englewood, Jersey City, Clifton, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Dr. Okubadejo has hospital affiliations in both New Jersey and New York, including with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and Holy Name Hospital and Englewood Hospital in New Jersey. He received the Healthcare and Community Advocacy Award from Englewood Hospital in 2015.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo specializes in treating degenerative disc disease, spinal deformity, spine injuries, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions. He and his team at the ICSC offer personalized care plans for back and neck pain management and herniated disc and sciatica treatment. Other treatment services include epidural shots, physical therapy, and spinal fusion.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo’s research has been published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques and American Journal of Orthopaedics, among other publications. He has also been a featured speaker at conferences hosted by professional organizations, including the North American Association of Spine Surgeons and Cervical Spine Research Society.
In addition, Dr. Okubadejo is the inventor of an exercise tool designed to optimize core workouts. The 360 CoreBoard allows for easy, gliding movements that strengthen the core and upper body without stressing the lower back. It is available through the ICSC Wellness Center, which also offers IV drip therapy and personalized treatments from a chiropractor, nutrition specialist, and exercise physiologist.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
On typical day, I either see patients in the office or I’m in the operating room. I try to be productive by being as efficient as possible to maximize what I can do in each setting. Each is unique but requires different skillsets, so it’s equally challenging and rewarding. Fitness is also important to me—it’s critical to maintain a consistent regimen, so a typical day also involves getting up early and working out.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write down my ideas, think about the practicality of them and then jot down the paths to getting them fulfilled. This allows me to chart a path forward from a vague concept to execution.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Technological advances aiding surgical efficiency. At my practice, the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, we use advanced technologies to perform minimally invasive surgeries that reduce trauma to surrounding tissue, decrease scarring, and help patients recover faster. I also use surgical robot technology with advanced imaging and navigation systems to operate on patients with greater precision and accuracy. These technologies complement my expertise and help improve surgical outcomes for my patients.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I get up early to work out and process what I’d like to get accomplished each day. This gives me a plan for the day, creates a structure to keep me focused, and sets me up for success.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Stay in the moment and learn and grow from each experience. Don’t miss out on the lessons and wisdom gleaned from life’s challenges.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Stay regimented with an active fitness routine. That discipline can bleed into other aspects of life—and discipline is absolutely necessary when working toward a goal or trying to make a change in life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step out into open spaces with fresh air to breathe. Taking this time out allows me to mentally reset, clear my mind of clutter, and return to the problem at hand with greater focus.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Constant networking has helped me grow professionally and expand my business. In addition, I stay inquisitive about new concepts that can be beneficial to my patients and hence, my practice, which enables me to stand out from competitors and offer the best possible care. Be open to meeting new people and learning from them, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Undesired surgical outcomes are tough. I learn from each experience and maximize my efficiency and safety going forward.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I don’t use much software outside of work. My work electronic medical system in the software that I use most often. It’s practical and efficient.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoy Gladiator. The sequel was recently released. I enjoy action, visuals and great acting. It’s a great way to escape and get lost in imagination and cinematography.
Key learnings
- Network constantly—you will never know who you’ll meet.
- Be open to learning from others. you will never know what you’ll learn
- Treat challenges and failures as opportunities to learn, grow, and gain wisdom.
- Technology can help doctors and surgeons become more efficient, so they can use their expertise to provide better care for more patients.