Paving the Path: The Fight for Rehabilitation in Ghana

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Abena Tannor—a leading physiatrist, sports and exercise rehabilitation physician and global health expert. Dr. Tannor shares her powerful journey as Ghana’s first PM&R and sports, exercise and rehabilitation medicine physician. She’s a dedicated trailblazer who’s shaping the future of rehabilitation care in her country every day.As a World Health Organization rehabilitation consultant and member of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Dr. Tannor offers a look at the realities of building a PM&R Residency Program in Ghana from the ground up. She candidly discusses the challenges of grassroots program development and navigating socioeconomic barriers within the health care system.Dr. Tannor paints a vivid picture of Ghana’s medical landscape—addressing stigma surrounding individuals with disabilities, the current state of access to rehabilitation services and the critical need for sustainable rehab infrastructure. She shares what keeps her motivated on the hardest days and her hopeful vision for the future of physiatry and rehabilitation in Ghana.This inspiring conversation highlights resilience, leadership and the power of rehabilitation to restore dignity, function and hope.LinkedInInstagramThe SumMARYWelcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.