2025 Men of the Year: Dr. Kofi Asare-Bawuah

As the medical director of CoxHealth’s pediatric service line, Dr. Kofi Asare-Bawuah has played a key role in shaping pediatric care within the health system. Patients praise his listening skills and colleagues appreciate that he leads using a collaborative approach to improve operational efficiency.

“I have been proud to successfully cultivate stronger collaborative ties with hospital administrators and partners from various health institutions through strategic initiatives, fostering a culture of enhanced teamwork and synergy within our health care system,” says Asare-Bawuah. “Through a multifaceted approach, I have been able to improve patient care metrics and enhance the working conditions for CoxHealth’s dedicated staff.”

One of his most significant leadership achievements was spearheading negotiations between CoxHealth and St. Louis Children’s Hospital to enhance pediatric care in southwest Missouri. “My leadership skills, including negotiation and a deep understanding of medical intricacies, were crucial in navigating the complex landscape of health care initiatives,” he says.

Asare-Bawuah has mentored and supported numerous medical professionals. One instance involved coaching a physician through a peer review committee process. His guidance, he says, helped enhance both her medical proficiency and patient satisfaction scores. As a result, she emerged as one of the leading practitioners in the field.

He played a key role in connecting a pediatric plastic surgeon with a network of health care providers, including specialists in ear, nose, and throat, orthotics experts, and speech therapy professionals. This effort streamlined patient care and enhanced treatment outcomes.

Beyond the work he does for CoxHealth, Asare-Bawuah led a team to create the REACH Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to orphan care in Ghana, organizing biannual medical missions and facilitating medical expertise and technology transfer. The foundation’s first mission in November 2024 reached four orphanages and two hospitals. Another trip is planned for May.

For many years he has served as chair of the annual African Picnic committee, which brings together Africans from across the community to enjoy a meal and fellowship. Additionally, he provides annual physicals for students at Wesley Methodist Church.

Asare-Bawuah considers his ability to lead during crises to be his proudest professional accomplishment. That includes managing CoxHealth’s pediatric response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent surges in respiratory illnesses.

“I feel extremely proud that many children and families are enjoying time together because of the joint effort in this response.”

Dream dinner party guest: Bob Marley, Barack Obama, Tupac Shakur and Billy Graham. I’ve always found Barack Obama and Billy Graham inspirational. I find it fascinating that Billy Graham stuck to being an evangelist when he was encouraged to do so many other related Christian ventures because he felt that was not his purpose. Tupac was so creative, but he was very self-destructive. I’ve always wanted to ask about that dichotomy. Bob Marley is so poetic.

Advice to other men: Be your authentic self. People think you have to assume a persona to do well or be seen as manly. It wears on a lot of men to not show vulnerability.