Name: Florence Koryo Akumiah
Position: Physician Specialist / Preventative Cardiologist / Cardiology Fellow-in-Training
Affiliation: Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florence-koryo-akumiah-
47a34431?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
What is your role at your work?
I am a clinician, educator, researcher and health advocate. My work involves clinical care, both in-patient
and out-patient, as well as provision of diagnostic services such as echocardiography, ambulatory ECG
and BP analysis, and exercise stress ECG. I also participate in the teaching and training of medical
students and residents. Finally, I undertake various types of scientific research aimed ultimately at
contextually understanding health behaviour, health systems and improving clinical practice and patient
outcomes, particularly in Ghana and Africa.
How did you get interested in your career path?
Interestingly, I was inspired by a character in Grey’s Anatomy, Christina Yeng, to pursue medicine and
become a Cardiovascular Surgeon. While in medical school, I was mentored by the late Prof George Bedu-
Addo and his team of exceptional physicians- Dr (Med) Roberta Norman and Prof Dr (Med) Fred Sarfo. I
reviewed my dream job to Interventional Cardiology and that is the career path I am currently pursuing. It
helped that I worked at the National Cardiothoracic Centre in Ghana, where my interest in cardiology was
nurtured by a team of seasoned Cardiologists- Prof Alfred Doku, Prof Akamah, Prof Agyekum, Dr (Med)
Martin Adadey, Dr (Med) Delsol-Gyan and Dr (Med) Tanko. Along the line, I became interested in
Preventative Medicine and research through my experiences in volunteering, Fellowships, and further post-
graduate training in MSc Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine and Master of Public Health.
What are you most proud of in your career or otherwise?
I like to believe I have taken a holistic approach to my career, marrying clinical work with public health and
research, which allows me to participate at all levels of prevention- informing and influencing policy,
promoting cardiovascular health and disease prevention, and improving clinical practice and patient
outcomes.
What important career challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Because I have diverse interests in clinical work, academia and public health, I found that I often had
competing interests and dilemmas of choice. How I addressed this was by critically analysing the links
between these interests and trying to develop then around one central goal. Another challenge has been
navigating this path as a young black woman in a predominantly male dominated field. Fortunately, I have
relied on the support and guidance of my mentors and the Ghanaian Society of Cardiology to keep me
focused.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would advise her to start early, find balance and keep going. I would also encourage her to challenge the
narrative and the status quo- race, gender, and geographical location should not prevent her from pursuing
and realizing her potential.
Highlight your most significant research contributions and publications (3-5) - if relevant to
you.
Have you had any significant career mentors?
How can we support the next generation of women scientists?
Creating a safe environment for them to explore and grow in the scientific community through
mentorship, support groups/communities, opportunities and showcasing of achievements and success
stories of other women.
