Professional Summary

Dr. Awol Yemane Legesse is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a highly specialized fistula surgeon with extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience. He currently serves as the Clinical Director at the Aberdeen Women’s Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone, under the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. His career combines high-level clinical practice in obstetrics and gynecology with significant contributions to research, medical education, and health system strengthening in Ethiopia and internationally.

Education and Specialization:

• Specialty in Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Completed residency at Mekelle University, Ethiopia (2015-2018).
• Doctor of Medicine (MD): Graduated from Mekelle University (2008-2013).
• Master of International Public Health (in progress): University of Liverpool, John Moores (2024-2026).

Current Position and Leadership:

• Clinical Director, Fistula Surgeon, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (April 2023 – Present): At Aberdeen Women’s Centre, Sierra Leone, he supervises all clinical activities, including the maternity ward, fistula ward, operation theatre, and outpatient clinics. He represents the organization in meetings with the Ministry of Health and international NGOs and leads quality improvement projects.
• Associate Professor (Jan 2023 – Present): Mekelle University, Ethiopia, where he designs and conducts research and supervises postgraduate students.
• Former Department Head (2019-2022): Served as Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, overseeing undergraduate and postgraduate (residency) teaching, clinical audits, curriculum adherence, and quality improvement projects.

Clinical Expertise:
Dr. Awol possesses a wide-ranging and advanced surgical skillset, including:

• Urogynecology and Fistula Surgery: Complex fistula repair, RVF repair, ureteric reimplantation, Singapore/gracillius flaps, bladder augmentation, and incontinence surgeries (Burch, Slings).
• Gynecologic Oncology: LEEP, radical hysterectomy, radical vulvectomy, and ovarian tumor surgery.
• General and Obstetric Surgery: Myomectomy, difficult C-sections, hysterectomies, and management of morbidly adherent placenta.
• Pediatric Gynecology and Urology: PPPSARP, bladder exstrophy repair (CPRE), and genioplasty for ambiguous genitalia.
• Advanced Obstetric Ultrasound: Proficient in first and second-trimester anatomic scanning and fetal echocardiography.

Research and Publications:
He has an extensive publication record (over 50 publications), with a strong focus on maternal health, preeclampsia, stillbirth, fistula, and the impact of the war in Tigray on health services. He has published in high-impact journals such as The Lancet, BJOG, and PLOS ONE, and serves on the editorial board of PLOS ONE.

Grants and Honors:

• Won grants from DFID, CIRTH (University of Michigan), and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for research on preeclampsia, stillbirth, and abortion care.
• Received the FIGO Ipas Best Paper Award from low and middle-income countries at the FIGO 2018 World Congress.
• Served as Chief Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2017-2019).

Professional Affiliations:
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Ethiopian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ESOG), the International Association of Urogynecology, and an Associate Member of the RCOG.