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Ivan Edwards

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Ivan Edwards is an American doctor,[1][2]of Ugandan-European heritage, a former pastor, and a US Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeon, currently serving at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.[3] He was involved in a community activist role in a New Hampshire neighborhood and later organized a movement that opposed the sale of a historic cemetery in Uganda.[4][5] He participates in public speaking. He is CEO and founder of Jovana Rehabilitation Medicine & Pain and IEME LLC, both located in San Antonio, Texas.[6]

Dr
Ivan Edwards
FAAPMR
Born
Kampala, Uganda
NationalityAmerican, Ugandan
CitizenshipUSA
EducationMidwestern University, (D.O.)
Eastern Virginia Medical School, (Internal Medicine)
UTHSCSA, (PM&R)
United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, (Flight Surgeon)
Years activeSince 2004
Known forMedicine (specialist)
Community leadership/activism
Public speaking
Medical career
ProfessionMedical doctor
Flight Surgeon, Reservist
Business owner (medical practice)
FieldPM&R
Comprehensive Pain management
InstitutionsJovana Rehab Medicine & Pain
IEME LLC
US Air Force Reserve

Background and education

Edwards is of mixed Ugandan/European descent and experienced racial bias because of his multiracial background.[3] He lived in Uganda throughout the dictatorship reign of Idi Amin - a time of tribulation in which he experienced human rights abuses he described as "a common practice in the bloody dictator’s regime."[3] In the late 1980s, he immigrated to the USA as part of the Diaspora. His diaspora was "in search for a better life, and an opportunity to develop [his] potential."[3]

Edwards completed his university and medical school education in the US, including an internship in Internal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School (in Norfolk, VA) and a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.[6]

He accepted a direct commission as a medical officer in the US Air Force Reserve and had other additional specialized training at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine to become a US Air Force Flight Surgeon.[7][6]

Career

Medicine, Advocacy, Public speaking

Besides practicing medicine, both as a reserve flight surgeon and civilian physician, Edwards has appeared on local US and Uganda television to talk about topics on Multiple sclerosis and self empowerment. He has also touched on issues of class privilege, social inequities and environmental degradation.[7][8][9]

While in ministry, he helped start a Child Sponsorship program that provided educational and financial resources to orphaned and displaced children (facing poverty) in Uganda in the early 1990s.[10][11]

Edwards has spoken at the Uganda Diaspora's international events held annually in Kampala, Uganda.[12] On December 30th 2017, he was a special keynote speaker at the Ugandan diaspora event, after which he received the Ugandan Diaspora Award in recognition of his achievements and advocacy. The Vice President of Uganda, His Excellency Edward Ssekandi (who presented him the award) and then French Ambassador to Uganda, Hon. Stéphanie Rivoal [1], were in attendance.[13][14][15]

On September 9th 2020, Edwards presented, via Webinar, on the topic of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and on the local community, to an audience of nurses, social workers, case managers and other professionals--under the auspices of the Alamo chapter of the Case Management Society of America.[16][17]

Social Activism

Community advocacy/leadership - Nashua, New Hampshire

Edwards was involved in a community activist role in a Nashua, New Hampshire neighborhood over the abolishment of a basketball court, in a local park, a place purportedly attracting acts of vandalism, illegal activity and speeding. He came up with a petition, backed by some registered voters in the neighborhood community. Although the drive ultimately failed, it got the attention of top city officials, including the then Mayor, Donald Davidson.[18][19][20] The Mayor pledged and instituted increased police patrols, in response to the community outcry.[20]

Cemetery Protest & Vigil - Kampala European Cemetery, Uganda

Edwards organized a movement that opposed the sale of a historical cemetery in Kampala,[21] Uganda, in April 2009. The Kampala European Cemetery,[22] owned by the then Kampala City Council, is a cemetery where prominent personalities in Uganda's colonial past, including some of Edwards' ancestral relatives, were laid to rest. The prospective buyers had planned to erect a shopping center to replace the cemetery—a move Edwards vowed to stop from materializing.[23][24][25]

Edwards' family was reported to be the first to galvanize opposition to the sale of the historic Kampala European Cemetery, in Kampala. The Kampala City Council then denied the attempted sale and lease of the cemetery to foreign investors. In 2006, the then Kampala City Council (KCC) had received an offer to sell two historical cemeteries, including the Kampala European Cemetery. The offer was reportedly turned down because KCC re-designated both cemeteries as tourist attractions.[26]

The news of Edwards' protest and vigils reached the Goan community and beyond,[27] which, in 1972, had been part of the Ugandan diaspora, including Ugandan-Asians (Expulsion of Asians from Uganda). The Goan Voice,[28] announced the protest which helped propel the cause of preserving the cemetery.

By February 2013, due to press coverage and community outcry, the Kampala European Cemetery was finally slated for renovation and deemed a protected historical site.[29]

Memberships

Some of Edwards' memberships include:[6]

· Member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

· Member of the Aerospace Medical Association

· Member of the Distinguished Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

· Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Awards

According to Vitals Patient reviews, Edwards has received multiple Patients Choice Awards (2008-2011, 2013-2020) and Compassionate Doctor Recognition Awards (2010-2011, 2013-2020), among others.[30]

References

  1. ^ "Choosing the right rehab for MS treatment - San Antonio doctor pushes for proactive inpatient rehabilitation". KSAT.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "Introducing Dr. Ivan Edwards, Nix Health Medical Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". NIX Health.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c d "Lt. Col. Dr. Ivan Edwards | A Special keynote Speaker at the Diaspora Gala 2017 Edition". Ugandan Diaspora News Online. 29 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Hoop". Nashua Telegraph. 18 August 1999.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "US soldier to fight for KCC cemetery". New Vision. 13 April 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c d "Doximity". Doximity.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b "Dr. Ivan Edwards on People and Power". YouTube. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Choosing the right rehab for MS treatment - San Antonio doctor pushes for proactive inpatient rehabilitation". KSAT.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Wunno Munayuganda Omumerika, translated: Here is the noted Ugandan American". bbs TV clip (in Luganda).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "A Personal Torch leads to Uganda". The Nashua Telegraph. 1 July 1991.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Bernstein, Hattie (24 Nov 1991). "Africa mission trip". Nashua Telegraph.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ ""Ba-summer" mix business and pleasure at reunion". The Observer. 4 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Diaspora Gala Awards | Maj. Dr. Ivan Edwards Has Accepted to be One of Our Special Guest Speakers For 2017". Ugandan Diaspora News Online. 27 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Lt. Col. Dr. Ivan Edwards. A Special keynote Speaker at the Diaspora Gala 2017 Edition". Uganda Diaspora News Online. 29 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Diaspora Gala 2017 - Ugandan Diaspora Social Networking Gala Video Highlights & Keynote Speech". Ugandan Diaspora News Online. 20 Feb 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "PTSD/COVID-19 Workers' Compensation". ALAMO CHAPTER - Case Management Society of America.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "CMSA - oldest and largest case management membership organization in the world". Case Management Society of America.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Hoop". Nashua Telegraph. 18 August 1999.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "HOOPS GOING BACK UP AT NASHUA PLAYGROUND". Nashua Telegraph. 26 August 1999.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ a b "Hoop fans shoot, score". Nashua Telegraph. 26 August 1999.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Kampala - national capital, Uganda". ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Kampala European Cemetery". Kampala European Cemetery - eamemorials.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Uganda: KCC Denies Cemetery Investor". AllAfrica. 19 April 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ "US soldier to fight for KCC cemetery". New Vision. 13 April 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ Waiswa, Juliet (19 April 2009). "KCC denies cemetery investor". New Vision.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "KCC Denies Selling off City Cemeteries". Uganda Radio Network. 23 August 2006.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ "Kampala: Norman Godinho's Grave Under Threat". The Goan Voice. 16 April 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "The Goan Voice". GOAN VOICE DAILY NEWSLETTER.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ "Jinja Road Cemetery To Become an Attraction After Facelift". Uganda Radio Network. 5 Feb 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "Awards". Vitals - Patient Reviews.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Category:American people of Ugandan descent Category:Physicians Category:Multiracial affairs in Africa


Category:Military doctors Category:Reserve forces Category:Multiracial affairs Category:Diasporas

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