Biography
Odoma Achor, M.D., specializes in pediatrics. He sees patients from birth to age 18.
Dr. Achor practiced family medicine for several years in his native Nigeria and has also taught medical students and pharmacy and medical technicians.
A tragic experience prompted Dr. Achor to study medicine. At age 11, he was in a motor vehicle accident with his mother. Sadly, she passed away. “At the hospital, I was struck by the dedication, passion and effort the people working there put into reviving her and others,” he said. “I thought, ‘What a beautiful life, to be involved in helping people who need help, to make people healthy and whole again.’ Even though I was grieving for my mother, I made up my mind at that point that a career in medicine was what I wanted, and needed, to do with my life. Even though the road was not easy, I have no regrets.”
Philosophy of Care
“I love practicing pediatrics,” Dr. Achor said. “I love the honesty and straightforwardness of kids. They don’t feign anything. What you see is what you get.” He admires his patients’ openness and resilience and considers it an honor to help children get a good start in life. “My goals are to help those who are healthy stay on that path, and to help those who are ill quickly recover.”
Dr. Achor believes in developing good relationships with his young patients as well as with their parents. “I work directly with the children as soon as they are old enough to interact, usually around age six,” he said. “I chat with them and ask questions about their day-to-day life in order to gain a picture of the household and possible health risk factors. I talk to the kids about the importance of healthy eating, exercise and any specific health issues they may have. I have them repeat back to me what we’ve talked about so I know they understand. They are learning lifelong lessons and I want to make sure they learn to make good choices.”
He makes a point of letting children know that they are the patient. “I make the child the center of the visit and make the child aware that they are the one coming in for a health care visit and that they are in charge,” Dr. Achor said. “Eventually, they will grow up and be in charge of their own health and their own health care so I prepare them early.”
Dr. Achor is kind and gentle and he shares his jovial personality with one and all. Patients and parents alike cannot help but return his ever-present smile. “Part of my success is due to the fact that I relate well to kids,” he said. “I have been around children all my life and can identify with them. When they talk, I hear and understand.”
He also relates well to parents and respects their vital role. “They are critical to the health of the child,” Dr. Achor said. “I treat my patients’ parents the same way I treat my siblings and friends, with courtesy and honesty,” he said. “I am always there for my patients and their parents. I don’t have to be on call to be available.”
Dr. Achor and his wife, Situ, have two young sons. Whether they are enjoying a planned outing or just hanging out, he treasures spending time with his family. He and his older son share a passion for soccer.
Dr. Achor enjoys playing chess and is a self-confessed news fanatic.
