Charles Frederick Hayfron-Benjamin
Fogarty Fellow
Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Departments
Department of Global Health and Population
Biography
Charles Hayfron-Benjamin is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized educator in medicine and physiology. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Physiology at the University of Ghana Medical School and the Director of the Medical and Scientific Research Centre at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Ghana's premier quaternary hospital.
At the University of Ghana Medical School, Charles teaches and mentors medical students, graduate students, and residents across multiple specialties, and runs specialized respiratory and vascular function laboratories. He has extensive expertise in the evaluation of respiratory, cardiac, and vascular function. Work from his laboratory has filled important gaps in understanding the mechanisms underlying pulmonary and vascular dysfunction in diabetes and in the general population. His current research focuses on establishing normative cardiopulmonary values for Ghanaians, identifying novel risk factors for pulmonary and vascular dysfunction in selected populations including individuals with diabetes, and investigating the clinical impact of pulmonary dysfunction in pregnant women with sickle cell disease. His long-term goal is to develop treatments that can reverse established pulmonary and vascular dysfunction in diabetes and sickle cell disease. Regarding clinical practice, Charles specializes in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, with additional expertise in respiratory medicine. He practices as a consultant anesthesiologist and intensive care physician at the University of Ghana Medical Centre.
He holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Medical Degree and a Master of Philosophy in Physiology from the University of Ghana Medical School, a Fellowship in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care from the West African College of Surgeons, a Master of Arts in Bioethics from New York University, and a PhD in Medicine from Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam. He has also completed multiple postdoctoral training programs, including a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, United States.
Beyond medicine and academia, Charles is passionate about human capacity building. He is the Founding President of Achievers Tribe, a personal growth and leadership organization dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential and lead meaningful lives. A firm believer in the African dream, he invests his time and energy in mentoring the next generation of African leaders, inspiring them to embrace transformational leadership and drive positive change within their communities.
Education and Training
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MBChB, Medicine
University of Ghana Medical School -
Residency , Anesthesiology / Critical Care
Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons & West African College of Surgeons -
MSc, Respiratory Medicine
University of South Wales -
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis -
BSc, Medical Sciences
University of Ghana -
MA, Bioethics
University of New York -
PhD, Medicine
Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam -
Fellowship, Anesthesiology / Critical Care
West African College of Surgeons -
MPhil, Physiology
University of Ghana Medical School
Awards and Honors
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Fogarty Global Health Fellowship , 2026
HBNU Consortium / NIH Fogarty International Center -
Finalist, Stanford African Scholars in Global Health Program, 2024
Stanford University -
Best Oral Presentation, Medical Knowledge Fiesta, 2024
Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons -
Outstanding Lecturer Award, 2023
Accra College of Medicine -
Alumni Impact Award, 60th Anniversary Celebration, 2022
University of Ghana Medical School -
Faculty Development Grant Award, 2016
University of Ghana College of Health Sciences -
Best Workers Award, 2016
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital -
Legon Hall Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, 2002
University of Ghana