Professor Bernice Oluwakemi Adegbehingbe is the Medical Director, Victory Life Specialist Hospitals, a conglomerate of multi-specialty health facilities, in Ile-Ife, Osun State. An indigene of Owo in Ondo State, Adegbehingbe graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where she bagged her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health Sciences in 1985, and her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) in 1988.
The erudite scholar further obtained a Diploma in Ophthalmology from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a Masters in Advanced Ophthalmology from the University of Bristol.
A seasoned ophthalmologist and researcher, Adegbehingbe has published over 60 articles in reputable peer-reviewed international journals, as well as successfully mentoring more than 20 postgraduate doctors, some of whom are already in professorial cadres in their various universities.
In collaboration with fellow researchers across the country, Adegbehingbe has made very remarkable breakthroughs in the provision of more readily available and affordable therapeutic agent from a local plant – Garcinia kola (bitter kola). This anti-glaucoma medication has continued to enjoy increasing patronage throughout the country.
The Professor of Ophthalmology has also impacted the academic community tremendously. She served as the liaison officer (South Western Zone) for the Prevention of Blindness Programme, and coordinator of Prevention of Blindness Programme at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between 2009 and 2016.
As a further demonstration of her commitment to the provision of affordable healthcare to the average Nigerian, during her tenure as the dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, she led eminent professors, senior academic staff and other medical specialists to conduct comprehensive free medical screening for over 5000 people across 14 local government areas in Osun State.
Prof. Adegbehingbe is a Fellow of both the West African College of Surgeons and National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. She is currently an examiner in the postgraduate examinatins of these two colleges.
Adegbehingbe is also a Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology and International College of Surgeons. She is a member of American Academy of Ophthalmology; Oxford Ophthalmologic Congress, UK; and Middle East African Congress of Ophthalmology.
The renowned scholar has won many research grants and fellowships both nationally and internationally. She is a reviewer for many of the international peer-reviewed journals.
Prof. Adegbehingbe is happily married to a successful orthopaedic surgeon and blessed with children.
