Dr .Ama Kyerewaa Edwin BSc, MBChB; MPhil, MA, PhD

Dr. Ama Kyerewaa Edwin is a distinguished Physician Clinical Psychologist and Bioethicist, bringing extensive expertise in emergency preparedness and response to emerging diseases such as COVID-19 and Ebola Virus Disease. Her professional capabilities encompass stakeholder engagement, situation analysis, risk communication, community engagement, policy formulation and guideline development, technical support and coordination, and capacity building of health workers.

In her current role as a Physician Clinical Psychologist and Bioethicist, and as the Head of the Department of Bioethics and Palliative Care at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Dr. Edwin leads initiatives addressing ethical issues in healthcare, end-of-life issues, crisis intervention, stress management, and Critical Incident Stress Management. She actively contributes to shaping ethical standards and policies through her involvement in various professional memberships and committees. Her focus in bioethics includes clinical ethics, research ethics, public health ethics, global health ethics, humanitarian ethics, pandemic ethics, and global mental health ethics. Dr. Edwin is a fervent advocate for effective and ethical mental health practice, emphasizing human rights and ethical considerations in healthcare and mental health.

Her leadership and service dedication are reflected in her extensive professional engagements, including heading departments, chairing ethics committees, and serving on international boards. Dr. Edwin's commitment to continuous learning aligns with her efforts to stay at the forefront of healthcare advancements. Beyond her academic and healthcare roles, she is actively involved in civic and public affairs, contributing to legislative initiatives addressing violence against women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Her passion for mentoring and coaching young individuals underscores her commitment to holistic personal development, empowering others to discover their purpose and navigate life's challenges.

Dr. Edwin's diverse professional journey, combined with her unwavering commitment to ethical healthcare practices and holistic well-being, establishes her as a dedicated and impactful healthcare leader. She is well-positioned to make significant contributions to advancing healthcare ethics, improving mental health practices, and addressing broader societal issues.

Dr. Edwin's educational background is extensive and impressive. She holds a Doctor of Bioethics (D.Bioethics) from the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, USA, awarded in May 2015. She also earned an MA in Bioethics and Health Policy from the same institution in December 2010, an MPhil in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ghana in December 2001, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB ChB) from the University of Ghana Medical School in December 1994.

Before her current role, Dr. Edwin served as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Psychological Medicine and Mental Health at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, from November 2017 to February 2020. At UHAS, she taught Health Law and Medical Ethics to medical students and physician assistants, established the counseling team, and led the development of terms of reference for UHAS Counseling Services. She also chaired the Disciplinary Committee for Junior Members and initiated a clinical ethics consultation service at Ho Teaching Hospital.

Her career at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana, spanned over two decades from February 1995 to October 2017. She completed her horsemanship in January 1996, served as a medical officer in the Department of Psychiatry at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital from February 1996 to April 2001, and headed the Addictive Diseases Unit at KBTH from November 1997 to August 1998. In May 2001, she pioneered the first clinical psychology service at KBTH, where she worked as a specialist clinical psychologist until October 2017. Dr. Edwin was a foundational member of Ghana's first interdisciplinary Palliative Care Team at KBTH and served as a bioethicist at the Medical Directorate of KBTH.

Dr. Edwin holds registrations and licenses from the Medical and Dental Council Ghana and the Ghana Psychological Council. She is also involved in numerous international boards, committees, and working groups, such as the Research for Ethical Data Science in sub-Saharan Africa (REDSSA) African Consortium of Bioethicists, the Africa Task Force for Coronavirus (AFTCOR), and Médecins Sans Frontières.

Her membership in professional societies and boards is extensive, including roles such as Chairperson of the Independent Assessment Committee at The Bank Hospital, Accra, and member of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) Ethics and Disciplinary Committee. Dr. Edwin has been actively involved in various ethics committees and quality management groups, contributing to significant initiatives like the psychosocial response to COVID-19 and national violence management programs.

Dr. Edwin has authored many scientific publications and served on numerous peer review journal panels. Her training and consultancy experience cover areas such as case management for COVID-19, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, burnout workshops, and domestic violence training. She has also facilitated workshops on various health and ethical topics and worked with international organizations to support vulnerable populations.

Her teaching experience spans multiple disciplines, including scientific integrity, research ethics, health law, and medical ethics for residents, medical students, and physician assistant students. Dr. Edwin's research interests are diverse, covering medico-legal issues in mental health, clinical ethics, research ethics, law and ethics, humanitarian ethics, and public health ethics.

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