Ivan Edwards
More actions
| Ivan Edwards, DO, FAAPMR, FRSA[1] | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Medical doctor;
Military officer (USAF Reserve) - Rank, Lt Colonel; Writer / Poet |
Ivan Edwards is an American doctor with Ugandan-European mixed race background. He is a flight surgeon (a doctor who treats people that do flying work, like pilots). He in the US Air Force Reserve, at the rank of lieutenant colonel.[2] He was chosen, in February 2026, to become a colonel.[3][4] He is the first flight surgeon of Ugandan descent in the US Air Force.[5][3][6] He played a big role in stopping the sale of a historic cemetery in Kampala, Uganda.[7] He is a public speaker. He has a healthcare practice in San Antonio, Texas.[8] He is also a writer and poet[9][10]
Background and education
He was born in Kampala, Uganda, and lived there during the dictatorship of Idi Amin, a ruler who destroyed many people’s lives. In the late 1980’s, he came to the USA and became an American citizen. He completed his education in the U.S. He joined the US Air Force Reserve after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US.[8][11]
Community work
In 2009, Edwards played a big role in preventing the sale of an old cemetery in Kampala, Uganda. This cemetery, called the Kampala European Cemetery, was where many important people from Uganda’s past, including some of Edwards’ family, were buried. Some people wanted to buy the cemetery to build a shopping mall there, but Edwards didn’t want that to happen.[12] He started a protest and got a lot of people involved. Because of the attention from the local news and the community’s support, the cemetery was saved from being sold. It was also recognized as a historical place that needed to be protected.[13][14][15]
Medical work
Edwards’ medical practice focuses on managing the patients' pain and restoring them back to good function. [16]
Writing and poetry
Edwards wrote a book of poems called Resonance of the Soul: Flowers and Harmonics. It won the Literary Titan Gold Book Award (Sept 2025).[17][10]
The book also won the Distinguished Favorite (in poetry), 2026.[18]
Awards (selected)
2025: the Uganda Poetry Society created a national award called The Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award. It is worth $1,000.[19][20][21]
References
- ↑ "Ivan Edwards becomes an inducted fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London". Uganda Diaspora news. http://www.ugandandiasporanews.com/2021/08/15/dr-ivan-edwards-becomes-an-inducted-fellow-of-the-royal-society-of-arts-rca-in-london/. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ↑ "Alamo Wing flight surgeon receives prestigious fellowship" (in en-US). https://www.433aw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2792665/alamo-wing-flight-surgeon-receives-prestigious-fellowship/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Ugandan‑Born U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon Selected for Promotion to Colonel". https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20260215/188669/ugandan-born-u-s-air-force-flight-surgeon-selected-for-promotion-to-colonel.html.
- ↑ Asingwire, Mzee (2026-02-16). "Ugandan-Born US Air Force doctor selected for promotion to Colonel". https://www.pulse.ug/story/ugandan-born-us-air-force-doctor-selected-for-promotion-to-colonel-2026021608191537149.
- ↑ Kmaupdates (2023-10-12). "THE HEALTH SECTOR IN UGANDA" (in en-US). https://kmaupdates.com/2023/10/12/the-health-sector-in-uganda/.
- ↑ Matogo, Philip (2026-03-07). "How Ugandan-born Edwards found his calling in the USA". https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-ugandan-born-edwards-found-his-calling-in-the-usa-5382838.
- ↑ Candia, Steven (13 April 2009). "US Soldier to Fight for KCC Cemetery". New Vision. https://allafrica.com/stories/200904140127.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Meet Dr. Ivan Edwards" (in en-US). https://canvasrebel.com/meet-dr-ivan-edwards/.
- ↑ Template:WebCite
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Arvia, Katie (2026-02-11). "Poetry collection by DO explores healing, resilience". https://thedo.osteopathic.org/2026/02/poetry-collection-by-do-explores-healing-resilience/.
- ↑ Williams, Kari. "Ugandan immigrant escapes dictatorship, finds rehabilitation in Air Force". https://reservenationalguard.com/reserve-guard-news/ugandan-immigrant-air-force-service/.
- ↑ Candia, Steven (11 April 2009). "Family Opposes City Cemetery Giveaway". The New Vision. https://allafrica.com/stories/200904130663.html.
- ↑ Mwanje, Robert (24 August 2006). "Uganda: Sebaggala Stops Grave Relocation". Uganda Monitor. https://allafrica.com/stories/200608230967.html.
- ↑ Nantaba, Eriosi (22 April 2013). "KCCA Denies Cemetery Sale". East African Business Week. https://allafrica.com/stories/201304230619.html.
- ↑ Kasoma, Aloysious (21 May 2013). "Jinja Road Cemetery to Become Tourist Site". The Observer. https://allafrica.com/stories/201305221445.html.
- ↑ Lateef, Oyalola (6 June 2021). "True Health Begins With The Mind". Top Doctors Magazine. https://topdoctormagazine.com/wellness/health-nutrition/true-health-begins-with-the-mind/.
- ↑ "Literary Titan Book Award: Poetry". https://literarytitan.com/2025/09/05/literary-titan-book-award-poetry-6/.
- ↑ "Independent Press Award". https://www.independentpressaward.com/2026-favorites/9798998982910.
- ↑ Matogo, Philip. "Introducing The Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award: A New Literary Honor for Ugandan Poets". https://fatumasvoice.org/dr-ivan-edwards-poetry-award/.
- ↑ "Meet the Esteemed Judges of the 2026 Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award". https://fatumasvoice.org/274661/.
- ↑ "The Dr. Ivan Edwards Poetry Award 2026". https://ugandapoetrysociety.org/the-dr-ivan-edwards-poetry-award-2026/.