Professor Adem Ali, the Career of a Giant of Surgery in Ethiopia
Professor Adem Ali, the Career of a Giant of Surgery in Ethiopia
Professor Adem Ali was born in the town of Harar in may1950 G.C, a forth son to a family of 4. He attended his elementary school in Hailesilassie 1st School and his secondary education in Medhanialem school.
After completing his secondary education in 1967 with distinction he moved to Addis Ababa and joined AAU and completed his medical education and graduated with distinction. After completing his medical education he joined the Gondary College of Medical Sci-ences in 1975 and provided service one and half years.
He then joined Addis Ababa university as house assistant lecturer under the tutelage of Professors Asrat, Johnson and Taye. He then began his surgical residency and graduated as a General surgeon along with Dr. Mesfin Minas and Dr. Girma Melaku as the first graduates of surgery in the country and paved the way for future surgical education in the department and the country as a whole.
In 1986 he got fellowship training in thoracic surgery in the preeminent London Chest hospital, London, United Kingdom where he stayed for one and a half years as a registrar and a further training in Birmingham, UK for 6 months in esophageal surgery and made sure Ethiopia got the first fully trained thoracic surgeon. Professor Adem and Dr. Dereje Gulilat launched a fellowship program in cardiothoracic surgery.
His efforts in research and service rendered over a career spanning of four decades earned him the title of Professor of Surgery in 2011. In addition to his contribution to surgical training and service he has served the Department of Surgery, the medical school and the university in various committees including chairing the department of Surgery three times.
He has contributed immensely to the establishment and development of various national and interna-tional academic societies.
He was a member of the provisional medical counsel and chaired the ethics committee of the ministry of health for 3 years. He had also served the Ethiopian medical association as president twice, as treasurer and reviewer of Ethiopian Medical journal for many years.
Moreover, he is a founding Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). Professor Adem is a member of other professional societies and associations notably the International college of surgeons.
Professor Adem`s contributions to Ethiopia are very well known and has received such recognition from the Department of Surgery, Surgical Society of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Medical Association and the Ministry of Health for his Dedication, commitment and relentless endeavors to develop the field of Surgery in Ethiopia and furthermore the specialty of Cardiothoracic Surgery and for his unwavering struggle to improve the quality and scope of practice of surgical services rendered to our society.
Finally, professor Adem Ali leaves a lasting legacy of having produced hundred of surgeon for his nation and his career spanning more than four decades full commitment and dedication in developing surgery in Ethiopia and across the continent at large is as Exemplary and envious as it can be. Hence, from a grateful Nation and the university we wish the very best in the future.
By Dr. Philipos Kidane, Tenama Zega, AAU, CHS, Volume I, Issue II, 2016, page 8
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