Lawrence Lartey, a graduate of Ensign Global College (2017), is a medical doctor and public health specialist. He is the Head of Port Health at the Kotoka International Airport and the Acting Manager of the Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) at the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service. He is an active member of the National Public Health Rapid Response Team (PHRRT) and of the National Technical Coordinating Committee chaired by the Minister of Health. Dr. Lartey primarily provides COVID-19 response support through active risk assessment, national COVID-19 data management, managing travel-related COVID-19 data, and generating information through analysis to inform policy decisions.

Dr. Lartey is involved in conducting risk assessments at various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and other national institutions like the Parliament of Ghana before the events are organized. He reviews various COVID-19 local outbreaks in schools, football clubs, churches, and organizations (private and public) and subsequently provides recommendations to control these outbreaks. His work continues to directly impact the lives of people in Ghana by guiding the policy decision-making process through scientific data and information. Public health advocacy has been a greater part of his work.

“Ensign Global College has been one of the best things that happened to me. Commitment, systematic thinking, dedication, hard work, and truthfulness are qualities Ensign Global College has imbibed in me. We can always create a difference if we want to.”

Sylvia Ofori, from cohort 2 (class of 2017), is a postdoctoral and research fellow at the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics (CCDD) at the Harvard T.H. Chan Institute for the Study of Diseases. Sylvia caught up with our team to let us know how she is using her degree from Ensign Global College at the CCDD and what is keeping her busy outside of her postdoctoral program.

How my current position impacts the lives of people? As an infectious disease epidemiologist and a postdoctoral curriculum and research fellow at Harvard University, my main interest is promoting mathematical modeling capacity in Africa and bridging the gap between mathematical modeling research and decision-making/policy. I do this by supporting the development and implementation of a training program targeted at public health professionals in Africa.

Ultimately, mathematical modeling skills are relevant in ensuring a cost-effective approach to infectious disease control, assessing the effectiveness of interventions to determine the best strategy, and minimizing the burden of the disease on the population. I also organize a bimonthly Journal club for public health professionals in academia and government organizations in the US and Africa to foster a medium for them to discuss current trends in the field and brainstorm on measures to put in place to address the policy implications of published studies where possible.

What did I like most about Ensign Global College? The location of Ensign Global College was helpful in keeping distractions from other commitments minimal. This meant that, while we were on campus, we focused on our studies, group projects, and other assignments. I also liked that the lecturers had vast experience both nationally and internationally and were able to use their networks to ensure that we had an amazing learning experience. Their dedication to teaching and use of student-centered pedagogy is unmatched.

My hobbies outside of work and research: Binge-watching medical and legal dramas.

A fun fact about myself: I have watched all 18+ seasons of Grey's Anatomy more than twice