Akikere's Journey Continues
For a child born with a severe craniofacial condition, finding the right care can be extraordinarily difficult. The expertise they need may not exist in their community—or even in their country. Their family may know their child needs help but have no clear path to the specialists who can provide it.
For 16-year-old Akikere and her family, that path has extended across countries, medical teams, and more than a decade of care.
The Beginning of Akikere's Journey
Akikere was born in Nigeria with Crouzon syndrome, a rare genetic condition in which the bones of the skull fuse too early as a baby develops. The condition can affect the growth of the skull and face, placing pressure on the brain, threatening vision, obstructing breathing, and requiring specialized care over many years.
When Akikere came to the World Craniofacial Foundation, she needed complex surgery that was not available close to home.
In 2015, at age 6, Akikere traveled from Lagos, Nigeria, to Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. There, an international medical team that included WCF founder Dr. Kenneth E. Salyer, Professor Frank Graewe, and WCF Medical Director Dr. Derek Bruce performed a monobloc osteotomy with distraction.
During the procedure, the team carefully repositioned the bones of Akikere’s forehead and midface to protect her eyesight, reduce pressure inside her skull, improve her airway, and create a foundation for future growth.
But like many children with complex craniofacial conditions, Akikere’s journey did not end with a single operation.
Continuing Care in the United States
In November 2023, Akikere underwent another major surgery at Shriners Children’s Ohio led by WCF Medical Director and surgeon Dr. Chris Gordon and Shriners surgeon Dr. Rob Lober, with additional care provided by Dr. Scott Rapp. That surgery was followed by additional care, most recently in December 2025. She is expected to return in 2027 for further specialized treatment.
During her care at Shriners, Akikere’s team also determined that she needed a bone-anchored hearing aid and specialized glasses. Shriners coordinated this care, while WCF paid for both.
Through it all, Akikere has remained determined. She works hard in school and was recently recognized as the top student in one of her subjects. She also enjoys playing the keyboard and singing.
“She’s a big girl now,” her mother recently shared with us. “She’s trying her best at school, though it’s not easy for her. But I’m super proud of her.”
We are proud of her, too. Akikere has been part of the WCF family for 10 years, and it has been a privilege to watch her grow into the talented and determined young woman she is becoming.
Bringing More of Akikere's Care Closer to Home
While Akikere will continue traveling to the United States for highly specialized surgical care, not every part of her treatment—or every medical update—should require a journey across the globe.
In 2026, WCF’s Director of Global Medical Surgery and Operations, Dr. Diego Steinberg, connected Akikere with Dr. Ikenna Isiekwe and Professor Olatokunbo Oluranti da Costa, Nigerian orthodontists who specialize in craniofacial care.
Dr. Steinberg now coordinates care and medical updates between Akikere’s Nigerian specialists and her medical team at Shriners. This ongoing collaboration helps ensure that the care she receives between trips to the United States remains aligned with her broader medical and surgical treatment plan.
Akikere began receiving orthodontic care in Nigeria in summer 2026 and is progressing well. Receiving this care within her own country is easier on her family, less disruptive to her education, and allows WCF to use its resources more efficiently.
WCF pays for Akikere’s orthodontic treatment and transportation to her appointments. When she travels to Dayton, WCF also provides airfare, lodging, and meals for Akikere and her mother.
A Connection That Continues
Akikere’s story demonstrates what expanding WCF’s global impact looks like. WCF serves as the bridge to specialized care—connecting medical experts and partner organizations across countries, coordinating treatment, and removing barriers that could otherwise keep a child from receiving care.
Once a child becomes part of the WCF family, our commitment does not end after one procedure. We remain alongside them as they grow—connecting them with the specialists and support they need at every stage of care.
Support from the WCF community helps continue Akikere’s care while creating pathways to treatment for more children like her—at no cost to their families.