Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's son sets medical history in the US with first ever spinal robotic operation

NGOZI Okonjo-Iweala's son Dr Uchechi Iweala has broken a medical record in the US becoming one of the first spinal surgeons in the state of Maryland to perform a successful navigated lumbar spinal fusion using a robot.

Dr Iweala, the son of the World Trade Organisation director-general Dr Okonjo-Iweala, is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in spine surgery. He majors in robotic spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, cervical and lumbar disc replacement, spinal fusion/arthrodesis and nerve releases.

Earlier today, Dr Okonjo-Iweala took to Twitter to share the good news, as she congratulated and encouraged her son on his medical feat. He son earned his Bachelor’s and Masters degrees from Harvard and completed his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at George Washington University.

Sharing pictures from the operation, Dr Okonjo-Iweala wrote: “Congratulations Dr Uchechi Iweala, on being one of the first spinal surgeons in Maryland to perform a successful navigated lumbar spinal fusion using a robot. So proud to be your mum, keep it going.”

According to the Center for Advanced Orthopaedics, Dr Iweala has become a major authority on all spine-related injuries. He also completed a fellowship in spine surgery at New York University.