Viral Photo Depicts 6 Siblings Who Practice Medicine, Following in Parents’ Footsteps

(Courtesy of Nola Laleye via Chinyere Okpaleke)

Six siblings who all followed their parents’ footsteps into the medical field have been photographed together in their white coats, and the impressive line-up has gone viral.

The photo was shared by one of the siblings, Dr. Chinyere Okpaleke, on LinkedIn, where it garnered over 200,000 reactions.

(L–R) Okway Okpaleke, M.D., Chinelo Okpaleke, P.A., Nkiru Osefo, M.D., Ifeoma Okpaleke, N.P., Queenate Okpaleke, N.P., and Chinyere Okpaleke, M.D. (Courtesy of Nola Laleye via Chinyere Okpaleke)

Chinyere, a family medicine hospitalist in Houston, Texas, whose patients call her “Dr. Chi,” posted the photo of herself with her four sisters and one brother on April 10 in honor of National Siblings Day.

The siblings’ father, Andrew Okpaleke, M.D., is a retired physician of internal medicine with 30 years’ experience, whilst their mother, Celina Okpaleke, P.A., has worked in the medical field for over 20 years.

“We are Nigerian, so we have that cultural background of my parents being immigrants and basically sacrificing coming here for a better life,” Dr. Chi explained to Good Morning America. “Their idea of wanting us to succeed came across in how they raised us.”

The whole family, she said, grew up with the desire to help others.

The six siblings with their parents Andrew and Celina Okpaleke. (Courtesy of Nola Laleye via Chinyere Okpaleke)

The now-viral photo depicts Okway Okpaleke, M.D., Chinelo Okpaleke, P.A., Nkiru Osefo, M.D., Ifeoma Okpaleke, N.P., Queenate Okpaleke, N.P., and Dr. Chi, M.D.

The siblings had reunited in Tampa, Florida, the city in which they grew up. A seventh sibling, Lillian Okpaleke, M.D., was not in the photo snapped by family friend, Nola Laleye.

“If I had to choose between The Okpalekes Vs The Kardashians... I would choose US every single time!” Dr. Chi posted on LinkedIn alongside the picture.

“I know our parents and ancestors are beyond proud,” she added. “We are exactly what their sacrifices were meant for! All glory to God.”

(Courtesy of Nola Laleye via Chinyere Okpaleke)

Dr. Chi told GMA that one impressed parent admitted printing the Okpalekes’ photo and pinning it on their fridge to inspire their own kids. Touched by public response, Dr. Chi is happy that she and her siblings are able to “shed some light” in today’s world.

The siblings have also received humorous comments about the coincidence of their medical careers.

“I have a friend who says my mother’s womb ’must be very blessed to produced so many doctors,'” Dr. Chi regaled. “That one is probably the funniest one.”

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