Shirley Sarah Dadson

Shirley Sarah Dadson is a fifth-year medical student at the University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana, with a strong focus on plastic and reconstructive surgery, global surgery, and strengthening surgical capacity across Africa. She is the President and Co-founder of AfroPRS, a pan-African network spanning 14 countries that connects medical students and early-career professionals in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Through AfroPRS, she leads initiatives in surgical education, research mentorship, and efforts to better understand and strengthen the plastic surgery workforce across the continent.

Her research interests include reconstructive surgery following burns and trauma, wound healing, keloids and hypertrophic scars, cleft and speech surgery, and equitable access to reconstructive healthcare. She has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and research outputs focused on plastic and reconstructive surgery in African settings, and has engaged in global surgery initiatives through organisations including Operation Smile and the Global Surgery Advocacy Community.

Shirley holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and is expected to complete her MBChB in 2027. She is particularly interested in developing African surgical systems that are context-appropriate, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of patients requiring comprehensive reconstructive care.