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NEW HONOR LECTURE

2022 KWAKU OHENE-FREMPONG, MD,

MEMORIAL SYMPOSIUM

Janet Ohene-Frempong

Moderator: Kim Smith-Whitley, M.D.

SICKLE CELL PAIN MANAGEMENT:

IT’S TIME TO GET IT RIGHT –

A MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE

Janet Ohene-Frempong is a plain language and cross-cultural communications expert
with over 25 years of experience in patient-provider communications. Her late husband,
Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, dedicated his work to sickle cell after their son, Kwame, was
diagnosed in the 1970s. She joins us to share her perspective on pain management as
informed by her experiences as a mother.

On behalf of her late husband, their late son, and their daughter, Afia, Mrs. Ohene
Frempong dedicates this memorial symposium to the memory of Dr. Samir Ballas. For over
two decades, Dr. Ballas eloquently, compassionately and forcefully addressed the issue
of sickle cell pain management, providing a wealth of insights and guidelines. Despite
his work, there still seems to be a gap between what we know about managing sickle
cell pain and what is put into practice. Dr. Ballas stood up for the families who knew this
struggle all too well. In his honor, Mrs. Ohene-Frempong says, it is time to get it right.

Mrs. Ohene-Frempong is the president of J O Frempong & Associates, Inc. She has
conducted workshops and provided consultation for a wide range of health information,
service and care providers, and she is a nationally recognized speaker. She continues in
her mission to promote health literacy as a route to equity and social justice as an Institute
for Healthcare Advancement Strategic Partner for Health Literacy.

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