Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja's life was marked by a pivotal moment during the filming of "Things Fall Apart" when he was a young man, studying medicine at the University of Ibadan. It was a time of self-reflection, as he wondered whether he should pursue a career in medicine or acting.
After graduating in 1973, Dr. Andrew-Jaja immigrated to the United States with his wife Lorna, settling in Hampton Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and went on to build a remarkable career.
The couple had three children, and Dr. Andrew-Jaja became renowned for his unique tradition of singing a song in the delivery room for every newborn he assisted. His repertoire included "Happy Birthday" and Louis Armstrong's hit, "What A Wonderful World". In an interview with CBS News in 2019, he explained the significance of this practice, saying, "To me, it's a wonderful thing in my hand, the miracle of life... And the rest of it is that it's a beautiful world we live in. We forget about all the crisis going on everywhere for a moment when you see that miracle of life in front of you."
Over the course of his 40-year career, Dr. Andrew-Jaja accompanied more than 8,000 babies into the world. He also taught at the University of Pittsburgh, published papers, gave lectures, and received numerous awards. However, to the public, he was affectionately known as "The Singing Doctor".
Although Dr. Andrew-Jaja is now officially retired, his legacy as "The Singing Doctor" will continue to be celebrated in Pittsburgh. In recognition of his contributions, Councilman Corey O'Connor declared May 16, 2019, "Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja Day".
