Carey Andrew-Jaja

Nigeria

While shooting »Things Fall Apart«, the young man is studying medicine at the University of Ibadan. Perhaps there is this one moment in his life when he asks himself which way he wants to go, whether he wants to be a doctor or an actor?!

He graduates in 1973 and immigrates to the United States with his wife Lorna two years later. They settled in Hampton Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There he completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH).

The couple then had three children and Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja went on to have an amazing career. He is known for one very special thing: for every newborn he accompanies on its way into life, he sings a song in the delivery room. His repertoire includes »Happy Birthday« or Louis Armstrong's hit, »What A Wonderful World.« »To me, it's a wonderful thing in my hand, the miracle of life,«he said during an interview for CBS News in 2019. »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.«

In forty years he accompanies more than 8,000 babies on their way into life. He teaches at the University of Pittsburgh, publishes, lectures and receives many awards. But for people, he is simply the beloved singing doctor. While he's today officially retired, Dr. Andrew-Jaja's legacy as »The Singing Doctor« will continue in Pittsburgh. In 2019 Councilman Corey O'Connor declared May 16 »Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja Day« .