Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah.

Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah

“The strength of the Department of Communication is the cordial relationship between the faculty and graduate students resulting in a strong departmental support. ”
Dorothy Maame Siaw--Asamoah
Alumna, UB Communication PhD Program

Dorothy Maame Siaw—Asamoah was introduced to the UB Department of Communication by a colleague in the School of Management who was in the program and suggested it would be a right fit for her. She was particularly drawn to the program because of her interest in Health Communication.

 Siaw—Asamoah’s cultural and family background gives her a sense of understanding for people from different cultures and backgrounds.

 “I am multicultural, having lived and worked in three different continents in my young life and tend to be fascinated about issues with diverse cultural perspectives. As a wife and a mother of three children I have had to manage my time extremely well to survive and succeed in this program. I love the fact that my advisor allowed me to study topics reflecting my cultural background and experience.”

Prof. Thomas Feeley is Siaw--Asamoah’s advisor and mentor in the Department of Communication. He provided the necessary documents for her to pursue her PhD as an Arthur A. Schomburg fellowship recipient and his support, encouragement and constructive criticisms continue to guide her, she says. He is very quick to respond to e-mails and a phone call, and does not micro manage.

“He gave me the direction to pursue my interest, knowing that I can always seek and receive his counsel whenever I need it.  He is extremely intelligent and very approachable, giving me a sense of confidence and security in my doctoral research.“

Kim S. Griswold, MD, MPH, Research Associate Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine has also become one of Siaw—Asamoah’s mentors’ and cheerleaders in her research adventures. Dr. Griswold gave her the opportunity to observe communication between physicians and patients from different cultural backgrounds, helping her to expand and broaden her interests in health communication for minority and less advantaged groups.

Prof Mark G. Frank, expert on deception, also guided her research on lies patients tell their physicians during clinical encounters in the USA and Ghana. This study has resulted in 2 conference presentations: the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta (August, 2011) and North American Primary Care Research Conference in Banff, Calgary in Canada (November, 2011).

Siaw—Asamoah is now part of a team presenting a cultural communication workshop to medical residents in the Medical School at UB. 

“The strength of the Department of Communication is the cordial relationship between the faculty and graduate students resulting in a strong departmental support. There is also a sense of community among my cohort members which has been extremely helpful to me. Throughout my years in the program I have always been aware of the support from my peers.”