This year marks the 20th anniversary of Goodlife Medical Center. Established in October 2003, the organization has enjoyed growing with, and providing urgent medical care to the close-knit Memphis community for more than 20 years.

Dr. Gbenga Adebanjo and Dr. Lola Adebanjo, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Goodlife Medical Centre have not merely practiced medicine in Memphis and its neighboring communities; they have earned a reputation for being the friendliest doctors in town, through their compassion, commitment to patients, community impact and resilience.

In celebration of two decades of service, Dr. Lola Adebanjo reflects on key milestones, challenges and notable accomplishments that have shaped their remarkable journey.

How does it feel to reach the 20-year milestone at Goodlife Medical Centre?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

It feels so good. My husband and I are thrilled to celebrate this 20-year milestone of serving our community. What began as a desire to be a blessing has evolved into a journey fueled by compassion.

Starting out, we faced challenges —as with any venture you get into. However, with God’s grace, we overcame each one by persevering without quitting. I often share with people: stay the course, be consistent, and don’t give up.

What inspired your choice to set up a private medical practice in Memphis?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

Having lived and worked in various U.S. cities, it was the welcoming people and pleasant weather of Memphis that won us over. Years ago, we came here on vacation to visit our family friend. We were impressed with the warmth of this community and decided to explore opportunities here, leading to the establishment of our private practice. Memphis has become more than a home—it’s where we’ve lived the longest, aside from our places of birth.

What are the most significant challenges you faced during your journey and how did you overcome them?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

At the very beginning, we encountered numerous challenges, with finances posing the most significant hurdle. Starting any business involves investing everything you have, so initially, we used our own home furniture until the practice gained momentum. Now, we can afford to purchase furniture, and our collection has grown substantially. Another major challenge was paying the staff. To overcome this, we sacrificed for a while, prioritizing staff salaries over our own. For a long time, my husband and I went without payment, but as our practice flourished, we gradually started compensating ourselves.

Does Goodlife Medical Centre focus more on treatment or prevention?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

Goodlife Medical Centre places equal emphasis on both treatment and prevention. As adult medical practitioners, we focus on internal medicine. We provide care for individuals aged 16 to even 110 with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and similar conditions. As the Primary Care Provider (PCP), we address various health concerns, but when necessary, we refer patients to specialists for further assistance.

What are the biggest health issues faced by people in this region?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

We frequently come across prevalent health issues like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, and a notable portion of these can be attributed to obesity. Obesity stands as a major contributing factor to various health issues like arthritis, back pain, joint pain and more. Oftentimes, these medical conditions are outcomes of weight gain.

What are some of the things that Goodlife Medical Center is doing to address the issue of obesity?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

About 3 years ago, we partnered with LIVE PURE, a whole health company that creates safe and effective wellness products supporting holistic health, to educate and encourage our patients about the benefits of weight loss. Over the past 20 years, we’ve made substantial progress. Initially, obesity wasn’t widely recognized as a chronic disease, and health insurance didn’t cover it. However, perspectives have shifted, with a growing recognition of the positive impact of addressing obesity on various chronic illnesses. People now acknowledge the importance of weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise for overall health. Obesity is now considered a billable diagnosis, this is a significant progress from what it used to be.

Tell us about LIVE PURE

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

LIVE PURE is a 16-year-old company based in Frisco that specializes in natural plant-based products. Recognizing the impact of food choices on health, LIVE PURE focuses on educating people about cleansing the body, building immunity, and balancing pH levels through their cleanse, balance, and build approach. The company’s products have demonstrated positive outcomes. Personally, I have experienced significant benefits, having lost over 30 pounds and overcome health challenges that I faced three years ago. The products from LIVE PURE have proven to be truly transformative.

What moments are you most proud of?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

I would say that reaching this 20-year milestone is the proudest moment for my husband and I. There were many situations where one could have thrown in the towel and said, “I’m done; I can’t do this anymore.” The rates at which doctors are experiencing burnout have increased, and research has shown a rise in burnout among healthcare providers. Many people threw in the towel during COVID, but God has sustained us and kept us going. Reaching this 20-year milestone fills us with gratitude to God, and I am proud of that accomplishment.

How were you able to balance raising your kids with your career?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

It’s by the grace of God. Every time I tell myself, “The Lord is your strength.” We are believers in Christ, and the Bible teaches us that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us. So, I’m a firm believer in that, and each day I commit my day into the hands of the Lord, saying, “Lord, help me today.” God has blessed us with amazing children who are very compassionate and understanding. They don’t ask for too much, and we involved them at a very early age in tasks like sorting papers and cleaning the bathrooms,in the practice and they take pride in that. We’ve instilled in them the value of contributing and not just receiving. This is something we discuss with them and have been teaching them from a very young age.

Would you say that ‘contributing not just receiving’, is one of the values that have guided your family and practice over the years?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

Absolutely. Contributing, and not just receiving, has been one of the core values that have guided both our family and our medical practice over the years. It’s the way my husband and I were brought up. Our parents were very giving, community-focused, and always looking for ways to help others. We grew up with that ethos, and when we started raising our children, we taught them the same values — that it’s always good to look out for others. This principle has been a guiding force for us and our family.

Do you have any advice for people interested in your field and practice?

Dr. Lola Adebanjo

My advice would be to start from somewhere, as the beginning may not always be lucrative, but don’t give up. Hang in there and don’t solely focus on the money, as fluctuations in reimbursements might be discouraging. Instead, concentrate on the smiles on your patients’ faces, the lives you touch every day. Do something that, when you go to sleep at night, you can be proud of and happy about, knowing you made a positive impact. Allow me to share a quick story: I once read about a man walking on the beach, finding sunfish stranded on the shore due to the current. He kept returning them to the water one by one. A bystander questioned the impact, given the numerous sunfish on the sand. The man picked up another one, saying, “It makes a difference to this one,” as he returned it to the water. You might not be able to be the hero for everyone in the world, but you can make a difference one life at a time.

The Adebanjos at GoodLife Medical Center have shown how compassion, resilience, and caring for the community can make a real difference in healthcare.

Explore the offerings of GoodLife Medical Center and Discover LIVE PURE’s natural plant-based products for more information.