Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Cancer Researcher Dr. Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah Is Helping To Change Our World
It’s okay to say no: Sometimes we take on more than we can handle. I once faced this dilemma when I was invited to join an ongoing research project. At the time, I was already juggling multiple commitments and knew I wouldn’t be able to give it the attention it deserved. Although declining the offer felt difficult, I ultimately realized that prioritizing the quality of my work over the quantity was essential.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Depaah. Cancer is more than a diagnosis; it is a life-altering battle that impacts patients, families, and entire communities, with financial and health disparities making access to care even more challenging. Dr. Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah is working to change that. After earning her medical degree in Ghana and specializing in Internal Medicine in the U.S., she dedicated her career to hematology-oncology, focusing on early cancer detection, innovative treatments, and reducing economic barriers to care. Through her research, she explores groundbreaking therapies while addressing the financial burdens that often prevent equitable access to treatment. Her work is not just about treating disease but about reshaping the future of healthcare by ensuring high-quality cancer care is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
My journey into medicine was initially influenced by my mother who was a midwife by profession. Growing up, she often shared her experiences of helping people and assisting in bringing life into this world. I was inspired to pursue a career where I could similarly care for others. Initially, I was drawn to obstetrics and gynecology, hoping to follow in her footsteps. However, as I progressed through my medical education, I found myself intrigued by the investigative nature and broad scope of Internal Medicine. The challenge of solving complex medical cases and managing a wide range of diseases resonated deeply with me. While my path diverged slightly from my original plan, the core motivation remains the same — to help and care for others, just as my mother did.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
In the first year of my residency, I prematurely told a patient they would be discharged later that day, even though their disposition hadn’t been fully determined. This led to frustration when the discharge didn’t happen as promised, and I had to return with a senior resident to clarify the situation. This experience taught me to only provide confirmed information, manage patient expectations carefully, and communicate uncertainties. I learned to say things like, “We’re hoping for a discharge today, but we’re still waiting on a few things,” to maintain trust and reduce potential disappointment. This mistake taught me a valuable lesson in patient communication.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
One of the research studies I worked on analyzed the epidemiology and outcomes of hospitalizations due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the most prevalent primary liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Our study identified key disparities in HCC outcomes, revealing that African American patients, those without insurance, and individuals treated in rural or non-teaching hospitals face higher mortality rates. By highlighting these disparities, our work provides crucial insights for policymakers and healthcare providers to develop targeted interventions to improve cancer-related outcomes.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Early on in my medical practice, I encountered a patient who initially resisted colon cancer screening, despite having a positive family history. She was afraid and skeptical and had developed a mistrust of the healthcare system due to prior experience. By patiently addressing her concerns and gaining her trust, she agreed to obtain a colonoscopy which revealed early-stage colorectal cancer. Thanks to early detection, she received timely treatment and is now cancer-free.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
In 2024, it was projected that 2,001,140 new cases of cancer would be diagnosed in the United States and 611,720 people would lose their lives to cancer
- Expanding health coverage would enable more Americans to receive preventative cancer screenings which can detect cancer early before it spreads throughout the body. This would make the available treatments more effective at increasing survival.
- Research has led to numerous significant advancements in the battle against cancer. Continued funding for cancer research will enable long-term scientific discoveries that will keep saving lives.
- A supportive work environment that permits employees to attend doctor’s visits in a timely manner would contribute to early detection, consistent treatment and better health outcomes.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
I define leadership as the art of guiding and inspiring others towards a common goal, but it’s crucial to understand that great leaders are often experienced followers first. A true leader is someone who has walked in the shoes of their team members and understands the challenges and intricacies of various roles within the organization. Prior hands-on experience allows one to lead by example, actively participating in tasks rather than merely delegating from afar.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Mentorship is key: Establishing rapport with a good mentor is important for personal and professional growth. They provide guidance, support and valuable insights and can help you navigate challenges. I recall one time I was feeling anxious before giving an oral presentation at a meeting I was unfamiliar with. The reassuring words of one of my mentors calmed my nerves and reminded me that I was adequately prepared for the task.
- Your hard work will pay off: There are so many hoops to jump through while pursuing our careers, and at times, it is tough to see the finish line, but hard work pays off in the end. It would have been great to have been reminded of this during my late nights working on projects.
- Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back from trying new things. Instead, recognize that failure is an integral part of the journey to success: When I relocated from Ghana, there were many experiences that were unfamiliar. I had to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the new experiences.
- Make time to recharge: Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout. I learned this firsthand during my residency, where the long hours were both physically and mentally demanding. As I became more efficient and gained more free time, I realized the importance of prioritizing self-care. For me, this meant incorporating activities like long walks into my routine, which helped ensure I remained rejuvenated and ready to face the challenges ahead.
- It’s okay to say no: Sometimes we take on more than we can handle. I once faced this dilemma when I was invited to join an ongoing research project. At the time, I was already juggling multiple commitments and knew I wouldn’t be able to give it the attention it deserved. Although declining the offer felt difficult, I ultimately realized that prioritizing the quality of my work over the quantity was essential.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could inspire a movement to bring the most good to the most people, I would focus on educating the public about modifiable risk factors for cancer. These factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption, are linked to a significant portion of cancer cases and deaths. By raising awareness and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and getting recommended screenings, we could potentially prevent hundreds of thousands of cancer cases.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t” by Jerry Rice. This quote resonated deeply with me during a pivotal moment in my career when I was putting in a lot of behind-the-scenes effort. It reminded me that the path to achieving great things often requires grit, perseverance, and determination-qualities that may not always be visible to others. It is a powerful reminder that the struggles and hard work we face are crucial to our success, and it continues to inspire me to push beyond what others might.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
If I could have a private meal with anyone, it would be Bill Gates. His incredible journey from co-founding Microsoft to becoming one of the world’s most influential philanthropists is truly inspiring. Numerous lives have been changed by the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the areas of education, poverty alleviation, and global health, and I respect his strategic approach to creating lasting change. A conversation with him would be an incredible opportunity to learn more about his experiences in making a difference on a global scale.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can find me on LinkedIn and can stay up to date with my ongoing research via google scholar.
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C26&q=jessica+ohemeng-dapaah&oq=Jessica+oh
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Cancer Researcher Dr. Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah Is Helping To Change was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.