#14
DR. AYSHA EDWARDS
CEO – AAR HOSPITAL
“Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability.” This quote by the renowned physician William Osler summarises the journey of Dr. Aysha Edwards, a phenomenal woman who has seamlessly transitioned from saving lives as an emergency doctor to leading one of Kenya’s most prominent and ultra-modern healthcare institutions, AAR Hospital. With her signature smile and infectious positive energy, Dr. Edwards demonstrates that no challenge is too great when it comes to improving the health and wellbeing of the community. She shares, “Challenges are a part of life, but I never back down from them. My mission now is to ensure the hospital I lead continues to save lives.”
Dr. Edwards’ path to becoming the CEO of AAR Hospital is anything but conventional. While her mother may have hoped she would pursue a career in law or architecture, Aysha’s heart was set on medicine, a calling she followed with passion. Her dedication to the healthcare profession has only deepened over the years, culminating in her current role as CEO, where she brings a blend of her frontline medical experience and a strategic vision for hospital management. Since joining AAR Hospital in 2020, she has been a driving force behind the hospital’s growth and operational excellence.
In her position, Dr. Edwards oversees all aspects of the hospital’s operations, from clinical services to strategic planning. She has played an integral role in positioning AAR Hospital as a leader in patient-centered care. Her leadership has helped strengthen the hospital’s emphasis on operational efficiency, patient satisfaction, and expanding its services to meet the evolving needs of the community. “We focus on patient care, but also on innovation and efficiency. Every decision we make is rooted in the belief that we are here to save lives,” she explains. Under her leadership, AAR Hospital is rapidly flourishing, becoming a beacon of healthcare excellence in Kenya and the hospital of first choice in the region.
Dr. Edwards’ previous positions include serving as the Head of Clinical Services at AAR Hospital, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the hospital’s clinical strategy and operations. Prior to that, she worked as an Emergency Medicine Physician at The Nairobi Hospital, and during the challenging early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she acted as Director of Medical Services and Research. In this role, she was instrumental in setting up a separate wing for COVID-19 patients, demonstrating her ability to respond decisively in times of crisis. Her work in Kenya follows a rich career in the Caribbean. Her diverse experience has shaped her into a leader who is as adept at governance as she is at clinical care.
Dr. Edwards is deeply passionate about advocating for health education as a shared responsibility within the community. She firmly believes that health is not just about treatment; it is about education, empowerment, and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to live a healthy life. This philosophy drives her work both in and out of the boardroom, where she actively participates in initiatives designed to improve health awareness and literacy, ultimately building a healthier future for all.
One of Dr. Edwards’ notable moments came in 2024, when she was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 8th World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Africa Region Conference.
At the event, she shared valuable insights on Healthy Ageing, Wellness, and Preventive Health, all topics that are close to her heart. Her address not only highlighted her expertise but also underscored her unwavering commitment to health education and uplifting communities. “Together, we are making strides towards a healthier future,” she said, emphasizing her dedication to advancing healthcare on a continental level.
She is well known for her creative side – if she were not a doctor, she might have become an architect or interior designer, showcasing her ability to think outside the box, bringing creativity into everything she does.
From her early days in medicine to her transformative work at AAR Hospital, Dr. Edwards has proven that being a leader in healthcare requires far more than medical knowledge – it requires empathy, vision, and the courage to embrace challenges and bring in innovations, in addition to her human centric nature that provides leadership to both her medical team and the support administrative infrastructure. As a beacon of inspiration for both women in leadership and aspiring healthcare professionals, Dr. Edwards is undoubtedly a top C-suite executive to watch in the years to come.
AUTHOR: KAREN NDUKU
EDITOR: DR. HANNINGTONE GAYA
