Today we’d like to introduce you to Oluwafemi Olu-talabi
Hi Oluwafemi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Queens, New York, the son of Nigerian immigrants who arrived in this country with nothing but hope and determination. They came separately, without family, money, or education, and worked long, grueling hours at odd jobs to survive. When they met, they made a decision that would shape my future: to pour everything they had into their children. As the second oldest of four, I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices they made. We relied on government assistance—food stamps, financial aid, anything that could help keep our family afloat. The neighborhood wasn’t perfect, but it had what I needed: a strong family foundation and an unwavering faith in God. Those pillars pushed me forward, even when the odds seemed stacked against me. I tested out of my local high school and earned a spot at one of the top schools in New York City. There, I committed myself to both academics and personal growth, balancing my studies with a passion for sports—playing basketball and football while keeping my sights set on something bigger. College took me to the University at Buffalo, and medical school led me to SUNY Upstate, where I fully embraced my calling to become a physician.
But I wanted more than just a degree. I wanted a challenge, an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. So I left everything familiar and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, a city I had never known, to train and practice medicine within the community. I chose internal medicine because it allows me to care for patients in their most critical and uncertain moments. As an internist, I diagnose and manage a wide range of complex medical conditions, from chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease to acute, life-threatening emergencies. My specialty requires deep clinical knowledge, problem-solving, and the ability to treat the whole patient—not just a single disease or organ system. Unlike some specialties that focus on a particular area of the body, internal medicine challenges me to think broadly and critically, adapting to the diverse medical needs of my patients.
I don’t rely on a specific set of tools or a designated space to do my job. My greatest asset is my knowledge, carried with me wherever I go, used daily to bring clarity and hope to my patients. In some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, I aim to provide them with understanding, reassurance, and a path forward. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to listen, educate, and advocate, ensuring they feel seen and heard in a healthcare system that can often feel overwhelming.
My journey is deeply personal, but it extends beyond me. My goal is to raise a family that never has to endure the struggles my parents faced—one that is strong, resilient, and capable of handling whatever the world throws at them. I want to instill in them the same values that shaped me: hard work, faith, and a commitment to service. And no matter where life takes me, I will continue to uphold my passion for excellent healthcare, knowing that service to others is the greatest legacy I can leave behind.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve faced many obstacles along my journey. Growing up as the child of Nigerian immigrants, I often struggled to fit in, balancing my family’s traditions with the realities of American culture. Financial insecurity was a constant challenge—two parents who came to this country with no degrees or stable jobs, working tirelessly to raise four children. For years, my siblings and I shared a single room, two to a bed, making do with what we had. In a community where education wasn’t always prioritized, I felt the pull between blending in with my peers and staying focused on the future I envisioned for myself.
Beyond financial struggles, I faced the reality of being a Black man in America—where no matter my education or expertise, the color of my skin could dictate how I was perceived, and at times, even my safety. It’s an unspoken burden, a weight that I had to carry alongside my dreams.
Despite these challenges, I refused to let my circumstances define me. I learned to block out the noise, stay focused, and push forward. Every obstacle became fuel for my ambition, every setback a lesson in resilience. And today, as I live out my dream, I continue to fight—not just for myself, but for those who come after me, proving that perseverance, faith, and determination can turn even the steepest uphill battle into a path forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an Internal Medicine physician, I specialize in caring for adult patients by diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of medical conditions. I work with diseases that affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system — often balancing multiple health issues at once. My job is to listen to patients, understand their symptoms, order the right tests, and create personalized treatment plans to help them feel better and stay healthy. A lot of my work involves long-term care, meaning I don’t just treat what’s happening in the moment — I also help patients manage chronic conditions and prevent future health problems.
In the hospital, I take care of patients when they’re at their sickest — whether it’s treating infections, heart problems, or breathing issues. I work closely with nurses, specialists, and therapists to make sure every part of a patient’s care is covered, often making decisions that can impact a patient’s life in real time. Every day is a balance between science and compassion — using my medical knowledge to guide treatment while also helping patients and families navigate some of the hardest moments in their lives. Beyond just medicine, a big part of my job is helping patients understand what’s happening with their health and guiding them to make the best decisions for their future.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Some of the best resources I recommend for anyone looking to better understand health, medicine, and personal finance come from a mix of apps, books, and podcasts that have helped me along my own journey. MyChart is a great app that allows patients to access their medical records, view lab results, and communicate directly with their doctors — making it easier to stay informed and involved in their own care. For those curious about how doctors think and make decisions, MDCalc is a tool I use daily to calculate medical scores and risk factors, helping guide clinical decisions. UpToDate is another trusted resource that not only helps doctors stay current with medical knowledge but also offers patient-friendly articles that break down health conditions in a way that’s easy to understand.
Outside of medicine, I believe financial literacy is just as important as physical health. One book that shifted my mindset on personal finance is The White Coat Investor by James Dahle, which provides practical advice for doctors on how to build wealth and avoid common money mistakes. Another book that changed the way I think about money and long-term planning is Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki — a classic that breaks down the difference between working for money and making money work for you. For anyone interested in hearing what life is really like behind the scenes in medicine, The Nocturnists podcast shares honest, vulnerable stories from healthcare workers about the human side of being a doctor. These resources have helped shape both my medical journey and personal growth, and I hope they can do the same for others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femichebais?igsh=N2VzY2JtejQ3azBj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://youtube.com/@femichebais?si=t4pYmQL06Q8OSVkh
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@femichebais?si=t4pYmQL06Q8OSVkh
Image Credits
I have rights and permissions for the imaging
