Adaora Okoli

According to the World Health Organization, the average survival rate from the Ebola virus disease is 50 percent, but past outbreaks have seen a fatality rate up to 90 percent. Whatever the statistics, Ebola survivors certainly have a story to tell.

Dr. Adaora Okoli is one such survivor. She contracted Ebola in July 2014 while treating a Liberian diplomat at a private hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. She successfully fought the virus and eventually survived against all odds. 

Since surviving the disease, Okoli has been an advocate for survivors, universal health coverage and global health. She works to strengthen health systems in order to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in low-income communities and achieve equitable access to health for all.

Dr. Okoli graduated from the University of Ghana Medical School in 2011 where she obtained a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degree. She holds a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Infectious disease Epidemiology from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Currently an internal medicine resident physician in New Orleans and an Aspen New Voices Fellow, Dr. Okoli has a fascinating and important message to share at and&.