Biography
Abebe Bekele, MD, FCS, FACS
Dean of Health Sciences, Professor of Surgery
Professor Abebe Bekele, MD, FCS, is UGHE’s founding Dean of Health Sciences. He is a General and Thoracic Surgeon and a Professor of Surgery at Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine in Ethiopia. Professor Bekele is a fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). He also serves as a Member of Council and Chairman of the Examinations and Credentials Committee at COSECSA. Professor Bekele has fellowships from the American College of Surgeons, the University of Washington, and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). Professor Abebe has published more than 55 original articles, case reports and book chapters in international journals. He is a recipient of many regional and international awards and recognitions.
Professor Bekele has previously served as CEO of the Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Teaching and Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia and Dean of the School of Medicine of Addis Ababa University. He has vast experience in education leadership in Ethiopia, which includes teaching at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and fellowship level, simulation-based teaching, and educational research. He is actively engaged in the Global Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative and has served as a Senior Advisor to the Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia in the Saving Lives Through Safe Surgery (SaLTS) flagship initiative. He is married and a father of three daughters.