Oakland, CA and New Sawereso Seinuah, Ghana – Carmen Ward-Sullivan, PhD, Associate Dean of the College of Nursing at Samuel Merritt University (SMU), embodies the spirit of global impact. Beyond her leadership role in nursing education, Dr. Ward-Sullivan has been bestowed the esteemed title of Her Royal Highness Nana Amma Manu I, Queen Mother of Support, in the Kingdom of New Sawereso Seinuah, Ghana. This honor was conferred upon her by King Katakyie Agyemang Duah III in recognition of her extraordinary philanthropic dedication to building the very first maternity clinic in his kingdom. The journey began in early 2023 when Dr. Ward-Sullivan connected with the 32-year-old King Katakyie Agyemang Duah III via Facebook Messenger. The king shared the heartbreaking reality of his community, where too many women were losing their lives due to the lack of accessible maternal healthcare facilities. Driven by a profound desire to make a difference, Dr. Ward-Sullivan envisioned a life-saving maternity clinic and immediately sprang into action.
Her initiative involved a robust fundraising campaign, utilizing the power of online platforms to connect with potential donors. Through informative Zoom meetings and Eventbrite invitations, she rallied support for the cause. Her efforts gained even more momentum with a successful Giving Tuesday post on Facebook in November, demonstrating the generosity of individuals eager to contribute to meaningful change. “People really want to help and make a difference in someone’s life,” Dr. Ward-Sullivan shared.
In July 2023, while visiting the region for the king’s wedding, Dr. Ward-Sullivan had the deeply moving experience of touring the construction site of the new clinic. “That was so amazing to go and just put my hands on the walls of this clinic, which wasn’t finished at the time. The bricks are made by hand. They use a lot of the resources from the Earth, and that was empowering to me.” During her visit, she was warmly welcomed by the local women who expressed their gratitude through song and traditional dances, a testament to the profound impact of her work.
Upon its completion, the new clinic will feature 16 rooms and be staffed by seven dedicated nurse midwives and one physician. To enhance their reach, the clinic will also have three motorbikes, enabling healthcare professionals to travel more easily within the kingdom. Dr. Ward-Sullivan is eagerly anticipating the clinic’s grand opening, planned for October. “Our goal is to provide prenatal care, delivery, and post-delivery care to pregnant women and women who have already delivered their babies,” she explained. “The clinic will be available to all 11 communities in the kingdom, as well as the neighboring kingdoms, to help mitigate the high numbers of maternal-infant mortality rates.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Ward-Sullivan is already setting her sights on her next impactful goal: establishing a global exchange program between Samuel Merritt University and local nursing schools in Ghana. Drawing from her own inspiring experience, she encourages SMU students to consider exploring global health work, even if it seems outside their immediate area of expertise. “Take a chance. Go out and do some global health work,” she advises. “I’m an ICU and open heart surgery nurse, but I’m finding such joy and excitement in community nursing.”
Dr. Carmen Ward-Sullivan’s dedication exemplifies the power of individual action to create significant global change. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that passion, vision, and a commitment to service can bridge continents and transform lives. Samuel Merritt University proudly celebrates Dr. Ward-Sullivan’s remarkable achievements and her unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access for communities in need.