Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Health Services Award – Dr. Kwadwo Asante
Dr. Kwadwo Asante is a Pediatrician and Medical Director of the Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Dr. Asante was born in Ghana, West Africa, where he obtained his early education. Later on, he won a scholarship to the University of British Columbia for undergraduate science studies and a B.Sc. degree. This was followed by medical training in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, after which, he returned to Canada for specialist pediatric training in Vancouver and Montreal.

To gain more practical experience in pediatric care, Dr. Asante chose to work in Northern British Columbia, a practice which soon grew to include responsibility for children in the Yukon. He soon came to take on this serious, but preventable, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which he realized was the cause of physical and developmental handicaps. He was one of the first physicians in Canada to study and write about the recognition and prevention of FAS.

Dr. Asante has continued to work in pediatrics, and has devoted his efforts to educating physicians, other health personnel, educators and the public about FAS. He has given numerous talks and workshops on the subject, traveling extensively in Canada, the United States, as well as internationally.

The Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was opened in 2000 with the help of concerned parents and professionals, and was named the Asante Centre to recognize his work. The Centre provides assessments, diagnosis and support for children, youth and adults and the families of those with FAS.

Among the many awards and honors bestowed on Dr. Asante in recognition of his contributions to the health of children in Canada are his election as “Senior Member” of the Canadian Medical Association in 2000, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern B.C.in 2004, and the award by the Governor General of Canada of the Meritorious Service Medal in 2005.

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