Dr Verna Vanderpuye M.D ,born February 6th 1965 in Ghana, West Africa has over 20 years experience in managing cancer with radiation, systemic therapy , training young medical students ,physicians , allied health workers and research into cancer in Africa. She is a senior consultant at the National Center for Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Accra Ghana with affiliation to the University of Ghana, Accra. Her interests are in breast, sarcoma, genitourinary, gastrointestinal cancers and researching into the peculiarities of managing cancer in Africa.
Being the female pioneer oncologist in the West African region following her training supported by the American Cancer society and the IAEA at the Howard University and University of Chicago Hospitals. Dr Vanderpuye has mentored many regional and international young cancer professionals throughout their training, young and middle level career phases, inculcating the Importance of a Holistic approach to patients considering economic, socio-cultural and psychological factors in relation to current evidence of practice. This approach indeed has resulted in improved quality of life even in the face of limited resources, at the same time prompting research opportunities and developing cost effective, pragmatic approaches to the implementation of new evidence.
She is readily accessible to younger colleagues, encouraging a balance between the current stresses and distractions of life, academic engagement including research, professionalism and skill development in area of expertise. She is currently the Secretary Treasurer of AORTIC, immediate past clinical oncology program director of her local postgraduate medical training program, a member of several local, regional and international cancer organization committees including ASCO, ESMO, WHO, UICC.
Dr Vanderpuye is an international speaker and has authored/coauthored 60 peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters and technical documents and still manages to keep a well-manicured garden.
