Dr. Bakari is a board-certified orthopedic spine physician who founded Life Orthopaedic & Spine Center in 2009 with the sole purpose of providing the highest level of medical care to all in need. In 2024, he expanded Life Orthopaedic & Spine Center to what is now known as Ortho Spine Life.  Today, commonly known as OSL, his vision continues.

He was born in Portland, Oregon and considers himself as having west coast roots. After graduating in Olympia, Washington with honors as a highly regarded blue chip athlete who lettered in track, basketball, and football the then future medical doctor took his talents to Grambling State University where he played under the legendary head football coach, the late great Eddie Robinson. His interest in spine and orthopedic medicine followed a back injury that sidelined him indefinitely.

With football behind him Dr. Bakari then focused his attention on laying the groundwork for the next chapters in his life. His studies in biology blossomed as he earned numerous accolades including undergraduate publications on sciatic nerve and pain perception in laboratory settings. He climbed to the top of university and academic life by becoming Student Government Association President and later Vice President for the National Association of Black Student Governments. He pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and proudly served as chapter Basileus, later becoming Chapter, District, National, and International Omega Man of the Year. He was awarded a fellowship at the renowned Fisk Institute where he studied under pioneers on lead publications. He followed this with a fellowship at the Environmental Protection Agency interning in Chicago while still undergrad.

After graduating with honors he went on to medical school at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans. In addition to medicine he earned credits towards a masters in public health and published articles on the disparities in healthcare.

Following medical school he went on to complete his internship and residency at Harvard Medical School Cambridge Health Alliance and Emory University School of Medicine. Since then Dr. Bakari has remained true to his roots and founding. For over a decade he served as one of the only premiere outpatient facilities to participate in medicaid and state sponsored healthcare treating underserved and disadvantaged populations in Atlanta and surrounding metro areas with pride and dignity. His practice remained open through the COVID pandemic offering desperately needed care to those without. Today, he continues to give back through charitable services such as uninsured programs and low cost sports physicals. He is fully bilingual and warmly offers complete and comprehensive medical care to Spanish speaking individuals and families from all backgrounds. He leads through honesty, integrity, and passion. Dr. Bakari’s goal is to continue expanding OSL to offer premier medical care to all in need without compromise.

In his spare time, Dr. Bakari is an avid reader, enjoys traveling, and considers himself a coffee connoisseur. A man of the people; he can be found frequently at community outreach events.