For Dr. Soziema Salia, becoming a doctor was never just a career choice—it was a lifelong dream.
As a child, whenever someone asked what she wanted to be in the future, her answer was always the same; a doctor.
But it was a personal experience in Class 1 that truly solidified her passion for medicine. After being hospitalized at a young age, she not only endured her own pain but also witnessed the suffering of others around her. That moment ignited a deep desire to help people heal.
Determined to turn her dream into reality, Dr. Salia worked tirelessly through the various stages of education, eventually making it to medical school.
While pursuing her studies, she was deeply involved in outreach programs to bring healthcare to underserved rural communities.
Her dedication to service extended beyond medical care. She actively supported vulnerable children by participating in fundraising activities and donating essential supplies—food, clothing, and mosquito nets—to orphans at Kumasi Children’s Home and King Jesus Orphanage.
She also mentored young children in the communities surrounding Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, inspiring the next generation to pursue education and chase their dreams.
After becoming a certified medical doctor in Ghana, Dr. Salia found her interest in preventive medicine.
Through her work as an organizing committee member, she played a vital role in raising public awareness during annual campaigns to educate the public about viral hepatitis, kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases.
In her quest to combat these chronic illnesses, she led numerous public health initiatives for identifying risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, reinforcing the role of screening in detecting early, treatable stages of diseases, and emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes and early medical intervention.
Beyond clinical work, Dr. Salia contributed to medical education as a part-time lecturer in Internal Medicine and Clinical Skills at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences from 2016 to 2020.
She taught, supervised, and assessed medical students, shaping the future of healthcare in Ghana.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Salia played a critical role in ensuring frontline healthcare workers were protected and prepared.
She contributed to designing screening, identification, isolation, and management protocols for COVID-19 cases in her department. She also restructured work schedules to maintain continuous healthcare delivery while minimizing exposure risks.
Additionally, she was responsible for procuring and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard medical staff. Her unwavering dedication during the crisis earned her a prestigious Presidential Award for Distinguished Service.
Dr. Salia’s contributions to the health sector did not go unnoticed. She was awarded a Harvard Chan Central Grant Scholarship to further her studies at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, M.A.
Her passion for medical research has been a driving force in her career. She has conducted multiple studies on cardiovascular diseases and patient outcomes especially among underrepresented patient populations, contributing valuable insights to the field.
Dr Salia has been invited to present at major international medical conferences including those organized by American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, and American College of Rheumatology, winning several awards for her work.
Today, Dr. Salia remains driven by her dedication to self-improvement. Currently pursuing advanced medical training in the U.S, she continues to provide exceptional healthcare and conduct research in chronic diseases while mentoring and training the next generation of medical professionals.
Guided by her personal mantra— “To be the best that I can be, do the best that I can, and make the best out of any situation I find myself in”—Dr. Soziema Salia continues to merge public health research, advocacy, and clinical care to create lasting change in the healthcare sector. Her journey is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of one person’s unwavering commitment to healing others.
