Dr Naa Adzoa Adzeley Boi-Dsane, a medical doctor at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, researcher, and disability inclusion advocate, led the Mentorship Sessions at the Sci-Tech Fair.
Her insightful presentation captivated students and participants, culminating in an engaging interactive session. Dr Boi-Dsane began by sharing insights into her childhood, which included a passion for basketball alongside a love for medicine and mathematics. This passion eventually led her to pursue medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School.
She reflected on a life-changing experience during a brief visit to the Demonstration School for the Deaf, which solidified her resolve to make a difference through medicine.
'Medicine felt like the right choice for me because I wanted to help people.' She explained.
Dr Boi-Dsane highlighted the broad scope of medicine, discussing diverse opportunities such as medical journalism, science communication, and medical law. She advised students to remain versatile, experiment with different fields, and discover what resonates with them.
Her advice was rooted in her own experiences, including a heart-warming moment at the Tamale General Hospital. There, she encountered a distressed deaf mother whose face lit up when she realised Dr Boi-Dsane could communicate with her using sign language. She described the encounter as one of her greatest achievements.
Dr Boi-Dsane also touched on the challenges she has faced in her career, including discrimination based on her skin tone and gender. She revealed how sexism and bullying were significant hurdles in the male-dominated field of medicine. Reflecting on these struggles, she advised young people to develop resilience and prioritise integrity, urging them not to let rejection deter them from their goals.
During the interactive session, students posed various questions. One student inquired about the obstacles she encountered and how she overcame them. Dr Boi-Dsane explained how she dedicated six months to learning sign language, seeking support from those who could guide her, and refusing to let challenges hold her back.
Another student asked how she balanced her studies with extracurricular activities. She responded, “It takes discipline and proper time management.”
When questioned about her ventures beyond medicine, Dr Boi-Dsane shared that her tendency to get bored easily motivated her to explore other interests, such as media, science, and writing.
One participant also raised a question about the advocacy for incorporating sign language into medical practice to improve communication with patients. Dr Boi-Dsane revealed that she had worked with the University of Ghana Medical School to integrate sign language into their curriculum, a move she believes will greatly benefit patient care.
The session concluded with Dr Boi-Dsane expressing her gratitude to the audience for their engagement and thought-provoking questions.
The 2024 edition of the STEM Festival is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by Pepsodent, Jupay, Bel Beverages, YFM and GTP.