Kwame Asante

Program Director at APHL - Association of Public Health Laboratories
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
US
Languages
  • Twi -

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Michelle Moor, Certified SAFe Agilist, Lean Six Sigma

Kwame's ability to balance his scientist persona with his thoughtful, compassionate manager persona was essential in starting up this large, complex, nationwide contract. His ability to prioritize, appropriately interact with scientific and corporate employees and communicate with the customer were essential to the smooth transition into the newly awarded contract,

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Credentials

  • American Society for Clinical Pathology MLS CM
    Board of Registry
    Jan, 2001
    - Nov, 2024
  • CLSI Laboratory Quality Management System
    Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute

Experience

  • APHL - Association of Public Health Laboratories
    • United States
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • 200 - 300 Employee
    • Program Director
      • Oct 2021 - Present

      • Serve as APHL’s primary in-country liaison between the CDC, Global Fund, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ministry of Health (MOH), and other stakeholders• Oversee HIV viral load scale up activities in the PEPFAR regions, including sample referral, patient data capture and reporting• Provide direct oversight of two laboratory mentorship in preparation for ISO 15189 accreditation • Ensure continuous dissemination of key PEPFAR message with all stakeholders and partners• Work with key resource persons to design training materials to strengthen laboratory systems• Collaborate with other partners to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate trainings (virtual and in person) and other capacity building efforts • Work closely with the disease surveillance team and support data capture and reporting to the national level for analysis and action

    • Senior Laboratory Advisor
      • Apr 2018 - Sep 2021

      • Provided technical assistance to the GHS in the implementation of laboratory quality management system, workforce development, sample referral network, public health laboratory diagnostic units • Supported the standardization of AMR pathogen reporting in line with National Action Plan• Made recommendations on appropriate equipment, reagents and supplies for effective public health laboratory operations• Supported the implementation of sample referral system for microbiology to ensure adequate access to laboratory testing across the tiered network • Oversaw microbiology mentorship and provide guidance to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory• Monitored the performance of the public health laboratory EQA and data output for continuous improvement• Supported the implementation of the Viral Load Data Management System that reduced turnaround time for viral load test result transmission• Oversaw facility-based mentoring of central laboratory toward ISO 15189 accreditation preparation • Monitored GHSA and PEPFAR project effectiveness project goals are achieved• Supported the streamlining of GHSA priority disease surveillance and detection • Coordinated all APHL projects in Ghana including GHSA and PEPFAR activities

  • Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
    • United States
    • Book and Periodical Publishing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Senior International Program Manager
      • May 2016 - Mar 2018

      • Managed the day-to-day operations of laboratory strengthening programs in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia • Facilitated the development of yearly workplan and submission of all project reports, contract agreements and approve expenses • Worked with in-country CDC project officer to implement workplans and provide technical assistance as needed • Established and maintain positive relationship with key stakeholders, including partner country MOH officials and other in-country implementing partners • Supervised and support 11 CLSI mentors and consultants • Responsible for presenting quarterly reviews to CDC, report program activity effectiveness into PROMIS and DATIM • Ensured the adherence to policies and procedures for implementing PEPFAR project activities in partner countries • Ensured country program activities are within budget and on schedule • Implemented quality management systems, biosafety, and biosecurity training in partner countries in preparation for accreditation (ISO 17025 and 15189) • Planed and managed workshop and training event travel logistics for consultants and volunteers • Developed training materials and deliver training to strengthen partner country laboratory systems • Conducted assessments and audits of laboratories and other health systems for PEPFAR funded programs • Monitored and evaluate the effectiveness of trainings and mentorship provided to in-country personnel

  • Toeroek Associates, Inc.
    • United States
    • Business Consulting and Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Laboratory Diagnostics Consultant-Contractor
      • Oct 2010 - May 2016

      •Serve as laboratory consultant and subject matter expert (SME) for DTRA on laboratory diagnostics for CBEP partner countries •Provide scientific and technical expertise in clinical and public health infectious disease laboratory diagnostic assays to support the full range of program missions and activities, including assessment of clinical, diagnostic, or biomedical research infrastructure, related technology in partner countries •Responsible for providing oversight, knowledge, expertise and educational support to the coordinated effort in the development, and management of the DTRA and cooperative engagement in partner countries •Provide recommendations and input to DTRA on matters of laboratory diagnostics in the design of resource mobilization in partner country capacity building •Support in-country team in meeting their sustainability goals by recommending best practices in achieving DTRA’s goals and increasing laboratory public health awareness •Serve as SME for partner country Initial Operational Capacity operational demonstration •Work with collaborators such as WRAIR, WHO, CDC, NGOs and partner country’s public health officials to provide disease surveillance capacity •Provide specific country budget oversight. Review collaborators and partner country’s acquisition request and make recommendations to DTRA •Assist partner countries achieve international laboratory standards for their public health systems •Assists with the development of base line assessment plans used in measuring the capacity and capability of identified partner country’s public health system •Review research proposals and make funding recommendations to client if they meet program objectives

  • Discovery Logic
    • United States
    • Software Development
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Program Manager - Contractor
      • Nov 2008 - Aug 2009

      •Program Manager for U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services’ National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs •Supervised a staff of 21 including 2 project managers, conduct staff performance reviews, mediate employee conflict •Manage the daily operations of both the scholarship and loan repayment branch, to ensure both meet contractual obligations •Responsible for meeting all contract requirements as stated in SOW within budget and on time •Primary contact between client and Discovery Logic and the on time submission of all deliverables as stated in contract

  • A-TEK, Inc.
    • United States
    • IT Services and IT Consulting
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • BioWatch Program Manager - Contractor
      • Jan 2008 - Aug 2008

      •Program Manager for DHS national biosurveillance program with total of 130 staff; oversaw 28 project managers and their staff. •Facilitated technical and contractual implementation issues with client to ensure conformance to client’s requirements •Responsible for all technical, programmatic, personnel, and contractual executions actions in direct support of the DHS program •Ensured that staffing levels are maintained at all times in all laboratories as required by contract •Served as liaison between A-TEK and Laboratory Directors by responding to concerns and issues relating to BioWatch staff

  • Public Health Foundation Enterprise/GPHL
    • Decatur, GA
    • BioWatch Program Science Lead - Contractor
      • Dec 2006 - Jan 2008

      •As Science Lead and supervisor responsible for the planning, organizing and directing of BioWatch laboratory team efforts in performing a variety of molecular (particularly PCR) techniques to rapidly identify and characterize the presence of pathogenic microorganisms/agents considered high hazard biological threats for the Atlanta metro area •Responsible for coordinating subordinate employee recruitment, selection and training, performance assessment, work assignments, and recognition/disciplinary actions •Coordinated with laboratory team to ensure a comprehensive Quality Control and Assurance, Biosafety, and Emergency Response plan for the BioWatch laboratory •Ensured that communication chain for reportable test results is established and maintained with the State and Federal stakeholders

  • Georgia Public Health Laboratory
    • Decatur, GA
    • Clinical Laboratory Scientist
      • May 2005 - Dec 2006

      •Performed serologic and immunologic testing of infectious diseases including confirmatory testing when necessary •Performed proficiency testing, validations, parallel testing as required by CLIA and necessary maintenance and trouble shooting on laboratory instrumentation •As part of the GPHL bioterrorism unit, performed molecular biology testing on environmental samples received within the state of Georgia •Completed training on agents of Bioterrorism: LRN Rapid Detection Methods Update conducted by the Bioterrorism Response and Advanced Technology Laboratory at the CDC •Evaluated the validity of test results and confirms results by alternative methods •Trained technical staff on immunologic and serologic techniques per established protocol Safety Committee Representative •Served on the biosafety committee at GPHL; duties included the review of internal safety protocols for deficiencies and processes for improvement.

  • Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
    • Richmond, Virginia Area
    • Medical Technologist - Microbiology
      • Aug 2001 - Apr 2005

      •Oversaw specimen processing/accessioning, routine culturing, microbial identification and sensitivity of organisms in patient samples •Trained technical staff and students on microbiological techniques in identifying microbial pathogens •Responsible for daily and weekly instrument maintenance, quality assurance and quality control as required by CAP •Monitors laboratory supplies and assist in ordering and validation of new test kits •Responsible for various administrative duties including scheduling, employee evaluations and quality management

Education

  • Strayer University
    MBA, HR
    2002 - 2004
  • Old Dominion University
    BS, Medical Technology
    1996 - 2000

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