About Yenupini Joyce Adams

I obtained my PhD in Nursing from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan in December 2016. A number of factors inspired my decision to pursue a PhD in nursing but my passion for improving maternal health and promoting safe motherhood was the prime motivator. My research aims primarily to improve maternal health, promote safe motherhood, and decrease maternal mortality among vulnerable populations in the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of maternal mortality is most severe. My dissertation work focused on reducing delays in seeking postpartum care in rural Malawi. I explored reasons for decision to seek postpartum care, evaluated postpartum care received after delivery in health facilities, and examined husband’s knowledge and attendance at their wives’ postpartum care. My current research specifically focuses on postpartum complications and knowledge of warning signs of complications. My current research spans two interrelated areas: 1) maternity care providers’ knowledge of postpartum care and complications, and ability to manage potential complications and 2) patients knowledge of warning signs of postpartum complications.

I was born in Tamale, a city in the Northern Region of Ghana where I spent most of my childhood. I am the youngest of five children. At age 20, I moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to attend Calvin College where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). After obtaining my BSN, I decided to continue with my educational journey and went straight to graduate school, where I met my husband Ellis, an amazing man and a strong support for my work and  vision. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends and family, and spending quality time with my husband. I love going on trips. I have had the pleasure of visiting India, Malawi, Canada, Jamaica, Kenya, and Mexico, and thoroughly enjoyed my time in all these places. I hope to visit several other countries in the future.