I have only two main challenges in my work: my age and my gender.
- Tell us about yourself (what do you do in health, fun fact about you, etc.)
My name is Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Eyram Ashinyo, a physician by profession with over ten (10) years working experience specialized in public health. In the last past years I have been a health manager mostly. I previously worked as a Medical Superintend/Director of a public hospital – (appointed at the age of twenty-seven only) where I was clinical and administrative lead in the planning and delivery of health services to a population of over two hundred thousand. I currently work at National Management level of the Ghana Health Service at headquarters as Deputy Director responsible for Quality and Safety. This means my department is responsible for the quality of healthcare delivered in all government hospitals in Ghana. We ensure healthcare is safe, effective, efficient, equitable, patient centered, timely and integrated.
- What led you to pursue a career in health
Growing up I did not dream of a career in health. I wanted to be a model but realized I was not tall. Then I decided to be a fashion designer. But I was brilliant in math and science too. I give credit to my dad who realized this strength and helped to build it more. My dad often enticed me with a huge amount of money as incentive based on my academic performance. He would always reserve this money for me ‘if I topped my class’, so I learned very hard and topped my class always. Then there was a bigger package reserved ‘if I passed my SSCE well enough to gain admission to medical or pharmacy school’, so again I studied really hard, passed with distinction and gained admission to the Medical school. The pre-admission events made me believe that I was destined to be a doctor and serve mankind so at this point, I dropped my dreams of becoming a fashion designer and focused on my medical training. The events that led to my admission seemed destined and beat my imagination- I will explain this better during the interview.
- How would you describe your career path (how did you get to where you are today?)
My career path has not been very smooth or easy, but I have kept my eyes on the goal thus focusing on solutions rather than problems or obstacles. Right from primary school, I have had a very humble beginning. My parents were not rich, we barely ‘just survived’. I did not have the opportunity to attend any of the best basic schools but my academic performance gave the opportunity to attend one of the best Senior Secondary Schools in Ghana (Aburi Girls Secondary School) on scholarship. Behind my success has also been some failure, disappointments, sacrifices, sleepless nights, hard work, courage and grit. I have also had mentors who showed me where to place my feet and how to learn from their mistakes.
I saw my parents through their struggle particularly my mother , she inspired me with her courage and grit. I have also had good friends around me who have been an inspiration too.
- What does a typical workday look like for you?
A typical day for me is very unpredictable. I first get my kids ready for school and make breakfast for the family. Then I arrive at the office to check what is on my desk to attend to. I have many meetings to attend on a typical work day, so I exit one meeting to the other, but also delegating other responsibilities. Quality and Safety planning revolves around data so I also check on healthcare indicators before leaving my desk. I work virtually too so my work does not end when I leave the office for home. I attend to my outstanding emails and correspondence mostly when am home.
- What experience(s) are you most proud of, (please give at least 2 examples)?
Am most proud of how I transformed a previous health centre to a polyclinic ‘level C’ which is same as district hospital, through the introduction of additional services (HIV/TB care, admission services, Diabetic clinic, delivery services, emergency services) and the complete digitalization of the hospital’s health information systems. This is a health facility that was the last position (22nd) before I took over as medical director but was fourth position (4th) as at 2018 when I handed over as Medical Director.
Am also very proud of being the advocacy face of prison health in Ghana. Through a nationwide advocacy on Joy FM, my team and I successfully sensitized the general public and all key stakeholders on the need to improve health conditions for prisoners. Moving forward prison health as come a long way in Ghana. Through these and many others, my leadership effort has won me many international leadership awards such as the 2015 Mandela Washington fellow, 2016 Inter-academy/the world academy of science Young Physician Leaders fellow, and the Women leaders in Global Health fellow by the Stanford University Centre for Innovations in 2017.
- What do you wish you had done differently (please give at least 2 examples)?
A younger me would have been more daring and more courageous, more believing in myself, more decisive about what I want in life. I have lost some opportunities because I did not believe in myself enough. A younger me would have also used my time more appropriately.
A younger me would have been more daring and more courageous, more believing in myself, more decisive about what I want in life @mary_eyram Click To Tweet- What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced (personally and/or in your line of work)? How did you overcome them? What are some of the lessons learnt?
I have only two main challenges in my work: my age and my gender. Our culture is very sensitive, respecting older ones in the work environment. People are rated based on age and not competencies. I have lost some opportunities to contribute to work effectively because of age. Gender issues are global and play key role in women leaders work in an organization such as the Ghana Health Service. I have mostly overcome these through appropriate negotiation skills where applicable, mentorship from older colleagues and sometimes just bringing myself to the table where I have not been invited.
- What is the value of mentorship in your opinion?
Mentorship is a key to success. It helps you not to make the same mistakes your role models made. It helps you place your feet at places and pathways that lead you to your desired destination
- Have you ever been mentored, if so, by whom and has this mentorship played a role in your career advancement?
I still continue to be mentored professionally by individuals who I identified as role models. These mentorship have opened some opportunities for me particularly internationally, giving me lots of exposure, inspiration and encouragement. I have many mentors but worth mentioning Prof. Fred Binka and Prof. Irene Akua Agyepong.
- In your opinion, what are the most pressing challenges/needs women face in pursuing or progressing in health-related careers in your country?
Resources for girls’ STEM education in Ghana are limited and not very much developed and this can pose a great challenge to girls who are interested in health related careers. Often women have to deal with social responsibilities such as marriage and childcare as well as their own career. This can be challenging particularly in our part of the world where an unmarried woman is not deemed to be a complete woman hence making marriage and childbirth key social milestones for women. Moreover society does not give women same opportunities as men. Gender issues pose serious threats to women at the work place
- What are some of the opportunities you see for women in health on the African continent?
Women in Africa have great opportunities in health career and all career they aspire to find themselves I believe, particularly in entrepreneurship in the agricultural and food industry, but also in coding/technology.
- What advice do you have for aspiring young professionals/ women in health (for example with building their career, identifying a career path, other personal/professional career advice, advice/guidance you wish you had received etc.)?
Think positive always and keep like-minded positive thinkers around you. Get a mentor who will guide you in your career development plan, be focused on your priorities and keep your eye on the goal using first things first principle. Believe in yourself always and be guided by your core values. Always ensure that your decisions are helping you to build and sustain a brand that you would like to be known for.
- Other comments or insights you would like to share.
Have a plan but be open to opportunities