#MOVINGGBARPOLUFORWARD!
Paul K. Kennedy
Paul K. Kennedy is the Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, (NPHIL). In this role, he has provided technical support and expert advisement for the development of public health interventions and policies and has provided recommendations for the development of strategic actions that have contributed to the prevention, control, and management of infectious diseases of public health threats to Liberians. Prior to joining NPHIL, Mr. Kennedy served as Director of Environmental and Social Performance (ESP) at the Millennium Challenge Account Liberia (MCAL). In this role, he led MCAL Environmental Sector in providing support to Sector Leads and relevant stakeholders, to address health and environmental issues related to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) 257 Million US Dollars Compact implementation in Liberia.
Mr. Kennedy is a Public Health professional with over ten (10) years of experience, managing Health and Environmental Programs around the world. Prior to relocating to Liberia to work with the MCA-Liberia Team, Mr. Kennedy has worked with several renowned healthcare and developmental organizations in the United States and other countries. In his career profile, Mr. Kennedy has successfully managed programs and projects valued over $5 million US Dollars annually. He has served in various strategic leadership positions and played key role in building capacities of individuals and strengthening health systems and organizations worldwide. Mr. Kennedy also served as an Assistant Professor, teaching Health Science Courses and managing the Administrative Internship Program at his Alma Mata, Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences in Washington, DC.
Mr. Kennedy is a devoted public servant and a recipient of several honors and awards including; the prestigious “Marquis WHO’s WHO in America Award”, he received in September of 2022, for his exceptional contributions to healthcare in the United States. He is a Member of several professional organizations including:
• the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), 2012-Present;
• the American Academy of Physician Assistant (AAPA), 2010-Present;
• the American Public Health Association (APHA), 2009-Present;
• Walden University Alumni Association (WUAA), 2011-Present;
• Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA), 2009-Present
Short Bio Timeline
This is Paul's timeline detailing his activities from the early 90s
Early 1990s
Early Engagements
Paul's engagement and commitment to humanitarian relief, human and community development and advocacy programs.
2008/2009
University Education
He completed his undergraduate studies at Howard University in Washington, DC, where he received Bachelor of Science degrees in Health Sciences, with emphasis on Health Management Sciences and a Master of Science (MSc) in Physician Assistant Study
2011
Master Degree
He further obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Walden University, USA
2020
Political Representation
Paul will be contesting the 2020 Midterm Senatorial Election, as a candidate in Gbarpolu County.
Paul's Full Profile
Paul K. Kennedy is a son of Gbarpolu County, born and raised in Sappimah Town, Bopolu District. Gbarpolu is a mineral (Gold, Diamond and Timber) rich geographical region of Liberia, located approximately 65 miles Northwest of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital.
Paul is the founder and President of Kennedy Hope Foundation (KHF), a not for profit organization providing health, education, agriculture and social support services for youths, women and the vulnerable population in Liberia. KHF has touched the lives of over 50,000 people in different sectors and organizations in Gbarpolu; to include churches, schools, hospitals and community. Mr. Kennedy has passion for human capacity development, he has often contributed to community development and advocacy programs. His diligence and commitment to youth and community services made him prominent amongst his peers during the Liberian civil war of 1990s. His active commitment to community development provided him the opportunity to travel to the USA to pursue higher education and professional development opportunities.
While in the United States, Paul’s desire for helping minority and underserve communities, a passion enforced by his training at Howard University and work experience in both public and private sectors in the District of Columbia, greatly influenced his healthcare career path. Prior to returning to Liberia, where he is contributing to the infrastructure and human capacity development, Mr. Kennedy worked as a healthcare professional for over 10 years, serving low-income communities in the Washington DC area.
In his career, Mr. Kennedy has immensely contributed to and provided technical support for the development and management of health systems, programs and personnel; strengthening health systems, developing human resources for health (HRH), and improving health workers productivity. He has collaborated with United Nations Agencies, community-based organizations and International Donor Agencies, in shaping programs that have impacted the lives on many sick and less fortunate people around the world.
During the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Outbreak in Liberia, Mr. Kennedy voluntarily worked as part of the EVD Incident Management Team as Health Attaché, assisting the Liberian Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. A role which he effectively performed; contributing to the development of policies, reviewing surveillance data and reporting systems coming from Liberia and providing updates to donor and partners in Geneva. He is often excited about helping young people to build systems, improve services and outcomes, he has worked with several youth organizations to plan and implement programs in Liberia.
Mr. Kennedy is aspiring to contest for Gbarpolu County Senate Seat in the ensuing General Presidential and Legislature Elections scheduled for October 10, 2023. Please join the Friends of Paul (FOP) in providing support and leading innovations to make this aspiration a success and help to Move Gbarpolu Forward!
