Matilda J. Clerk

Matilda J. Clerk (born 1934) is a renowned Ghanaian physician, scientist, and educator. She is recognized as the first woman from Ghana to be formally trained in medicine.

Early Life and Education

Matilda J. Clerk was born in 1934 in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. She was the seventh of ten children in her family. Her father, Rev. Nicholas Timothy Clerk, was a pioneering educator and the first Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of the Gold Coast from 1918 to 1932.

Clerk attended the prestigious Achimota School for her secondary education, where she excelled in the sciences. She then proceeded to the University College of the Gold Coast, now known as the University of Ghana, where she studied Natural Science.

In 1957, Clerk was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at the University of London. She graduated in 1962, becoming the first Ghanaian woman to be formally trained as a physician.

Career

After her graduation, Clerk returned to Ghana, where she began her medical career at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. She specialized in Pediatrics and was known for her dedication to her patients.

Clerk later joined the faculty of the University of Ghana Medical School, where she served as a lecturer and researcher. She made significant contributions to the field of medical research, particularly in the area of sickle cell disease.

In addition to her medical career, Clerk has been an advocate for women's rights and education. She has worked tirelessly to promote the participation of women in the sciences and has been a role model for many young women in Ghana and beyond.

Honors and Recognition

In recognition of her contributions to medicine and education, Clerk has received numerous awards and honors. These include the Order of the Volta, one of Ghana's highest national honors, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghana.

See Also

• Healthcare in Ghana
• Women in medicine

References

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