Meet Dr. Stanley Okoro of Georgia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Amachi Medspa, Abuja Plastic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Stanley Okoro.

Dr. Stanley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, you could say my journey began when I was a child growing up in Nigeria my father had helped build a hospital in our village and spoke to us about how important it was for our community. Of course being a young healthy boy I didn’t see it as such a big deal until I became sick myself. I had appendicitis and my parents took me to that very hospital.

Seeing the way the doctors cared for me inspired me to pursue medicine so that I may care for people who need it most. My parents worked extremely hard to send me to school in the US. When I got here I didn’t know anyone or have any family I just had a vision of what my future would be if I worked hard enough. I graduated top of my class at the University of District of Columbia in just 3 years while working full time managing a fast food restaurant which helped me pay my way through medical school at Meharry Medical College along with a grant that changed my life.

So much so I now offer a grant in my name to first and second-year medical students of African Decent to help someone else in the same position as me. After graduating Meharry which produces the most black physicians in the world I continued my education at Emory University with 5 years of rigorous training in general surgery then joined the US Navy. I served as the Chief of General Surgery at the US Naval Hospital Great Lakes for four years.

I achieved the rank of Commander in the Navy and served as the Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at our “President’s Hospital”, the world-famous National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda Maryland. I moved to Georgia and back in 2008 country was in recession and I couldn’t find a job since no one was hiring plastic surgeons. So I decided to follow my heart and thought well if I can’t find a job I’ll make one. That’s when I opened Georgia Plastic.

“Enhance Your Look, Enjoy Your Life” is our motto at Georgia Plastic because I want people to know that plastic surgery isn’t just about having bigger breast or a smaller waist. Plastic Surgery is giving a Breast Cancer survivor their life back, It’s about a mom that spent all her life taking care of her family the ability to look in the mirror and see herself again or a man who spent year working out and losing over a hundred pounds the ability to enjoy the body they worked for.

I am very passionate about my patients and their stories and how my staff and I can be apart of their journey. I am blessed to have an amazing staff that knows my vision and works towards it just as much as I do. Thanks to them my business has expanded to become one of Atlanta’s premier plastic surgery center that serves patients from all over the world. We have expanded to include our surgery center Asuch Surgery Center and Medical Spa Amachi Medspa.

I have been lucky to be put in a position to help others and never forgotten why I started this profession. Since 1998, I have been going to rural areas in Nigeria providing life-saving surgeries for people who have no access to medical care. In 2017 I launched Georgia Plastic Foundation to help fund this annual medical mission myself and my colleagues go on. These trips fill me with gratitude, each procedure I perform reminds me of my journey in medicine.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the struggles I faced include overall motivation and work ethic the medical field is not for the faint of heart when it comes to studying and training. Being a Nigerian immigrant I have faced discrimination and people having preconceived notions of Africans and their ability to be competent doctors. Over the years I have learned a lot in pursuit to become the entrepreneur I am today. Making bad business decisions taking risks that didn’t pan out the way I expected and being disappointed by partners and team members.

Overall of these things have made me a stronger and smarter businessman and I’ve used my lessons to teach others so they won’t make those same mistakes. My biggest challenge out of all of these I would say is maintaining a strong relationship with my wife and kids working over 16 hours daily takes a toll on your personal life and it’s difficult to be an active parent while also being there for your patients. I have been married for over 20 years and have 4 amazing children who have fortunately been understanding and supportive of my career and vision.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Georgia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Amachi Medspa, Abuja Plastic – what should we know?
I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon I am also a Board Certified General Surgeon which I did for over 10 years before plastic training. I am a member of various nationally recognized medical organizations and groups. I own Georgia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery one of Atlanta’s premier plastic surgery offices. We see hundreds of patients weekly.

In the building, I also own Asuch Surgery Center which is my surgery center where I perform all of my surgeries. In another wing of the building, I have my Medical Spa Amachi MedSpa which offers non-invasive procedures by qualified Estheticians. Oversees I have my Nigerian practice Abuja Plastic which is where I perform surgeries on my Nigerian Patients a few times a year.

What sets my business apart from all the other plastics office in Atlanta is that we are dedicated to enhancing not just our visitors looks but their overall quality of life. Each of our patients becomes a member of our family and we do everything to target all of their needs from start to finish.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife Aggie Okoro and my kids Adaobi, Udochi, Stanley and Chi Chi are truly my biggest motivators and supporters. Anytime I’ve had career lows or setbacks they remind me of what is truly important and always have my best interest at heart.

Along with them, I have an incredible staff that works tirelessly towards my vision if it wasn’t for them my business would have never become what it is. All of my mentors and teacher in San Antonio and at Emory University have taught me and molded the skills I have today.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2285 Asquith Ave Sw, Marietta, GA 30008
• Website: Georgiaplastic.com
• Phone: 7704645485
• Email: drokoro@georgiaplastic.com Grace@georgiaplastic.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/georgiaplastic
• Facebook: facebook.com/gaplastic
• Twitter: twitter.com/georigaplastic
• Other: AmachiMedspa.com

Image Credit:
Grace Leroy

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