Medicine is a family affair for the Ayenis

From Nigeria to Montreal, back to West Africa and then ultimately to Northern Ontario, the Ayeni family’s journey to medicine might seem somewhat unconventional. But as with any great story, it’s the details that really bring it to life.

You see, five of the seven Ayenis are doctors. Yes, you read that right. And of those five, three are currently practicing right here at Southlake. Theirs is not a story of being directed down a rigid path to medicine, as you might expect, but rather one of exploration, mentorship and steadfast drive. Flight attendant, NBA player, teacher… at one point or another they all wanted to do something, and be something else. But somehow, they all found their careers in medicine.

As the patriarch of the family, Dr. Femi Ayeni laid the foundation for his family’s success. After completing his residency in Montreal, Dr. Ayeni moved his wife and two children back to his native Nigeria with one goal in mind. To provide care for his community. Over time, he established a medical school in the city. Not only was his care available to all – sometimes whether patients had the means to pay or not – he also began training the next generation of Nigerian physicians. Little did Dr. Ayeni know then that he had also begun to shape the doctors his children would one day become.

As his middle child puts it “I saw how hard he worked and how the people in our community trusted him with their care,” says Dr. Bimpe Ayeni, Southlake’s Head of Plastic Surgery,“and saw that revered position of helping people on a daily basis and how he still wakes up every day and loves this job and I thought ‘now that sounds like a very cool thing to do.’”

Dr. Ayeni’s brother and fellow Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Omodele Ayeni, echoes the influence his father’s passion had on all of them. “He and our mom, they shaped our value system and we were exposed from a young age to that dedicated work ethic. We learned that if you worked hard at anything you would find success and beyond” he says. But the Ayenis never pushed any of their children into medicine. “I thought I was going to play professional basketball,” Dr. Ayeni laughs “and looking back I think they knew that wouldn’t happen, but they never said it. Instead, they always said, if that’s what you’re passionate about, then work hard for it. Be the best at it. That’s the drive they instilled in all of us.”

That mentorship continued as the Ayenis completed various fellowships under their father. “I have gone through 17 years of education and training to become a doctor and the year I spent learning directly under my dad was the best by far,” says Plastic Surgeon Dr. Buki Ayeni – the youngest of the siblings. “I learned the most from him in terms of operating room practice, bedside manner, how to handle yourself at work and how to approach tough cases and tough patients,” he says. “I still look to him and my sister and my older brothers for mentorship, even today. When I ask to talk something through with any of them, the answer is unequivocally ‘yes.’”

This fierce familial system of support and encouragement – and the drive for success – extends beyond the walls of Southlake. Dr. Olufemi Ayeni is the Division Head of Orthopaedics at McMaster University and the eldest of the Ayeni siblings, Bunmi is an MBA graduate with years of executive experience in the corporate sector. And then of course, there’s mom. Titi is their self-proclaimed “Queen”. She is the constant; the one who helps bring them all together as they continue to grow their individual families, practices, and lives. When the topic of family comes up, there is no denying the joy and pride on the Ayenis’ faces. And given the opportunity to work together in any capacity, “I mean, that’s always a no-brainer for me,” says Dr. Omodele Ayeni.

While their father has now retired, the remaining Dr. Ayenis have followed his lead in choosing Southlake Regional Health Centre as their home. They have been instrumental, along with their colleagues, in building a comprehensive plastic surgery program here that is not available at many other hospitals in the area. From breast cancer reconstruction, peripheral nerve treatment, esthetic surgery, burn care and even a little bit of paediatric plastic surgery, the robust program at Southlake is in many ways a reflection of the Ayenis’ passion for what they do. That passion extends to helping foster a strong sense of community here at Southlake. “It’s such a respectful and supportive environment,” says Dr. Bimpe Ayeni. “That’s not a given at any hospital and I think Southlake is quite unique in that sense.”

Growing up as the only Nigerians in the small town of Kapuskasing, Ontario, that sense of pride and community spirit has long been instilled in the Ayeni siblings. “Everybody at Southlake works together. Our goal is the same. To provide patients with the best possible outcomes regardless of what brings them here. And when you embrace that shared goal, it’s easy to work together as a team.” The Ayenis bring this same dedication and commitment to the world outside of their medical practices as well. They are committed to life-long learning and growth. And of course, to mentoring others.

One thing is for sure, the Ayenis are remarkable, dedicated, compassionate, and above all else, humble. And as Dr. Omodele Ayeni puts it “There is no question that my dad is the impetus here – he lit the spark in all of us.”