Abebe Bekele, MD, FCS (ECSA), FACS is the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at the University of Global Health Equity. He is a Professor of Surgery, (General and Thoracic surgeon) and has served as CEO of the Black Lion teaching Hospital and Dean of the School of Medicine of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He also has full professor faculty positions at the Addis Ababa University and the University of Rwanda. He has received additional fellowship in Medical Education from FAIMER and in Simulation Based Education from the University of Washington. He has vast experience in surgical education, academic leadership, and governance and served as guest lecturer, international speaker, and external examiner in Ethiopia, Africa, Europe, and North America. His clinical surgical expertise includes oncology surgery, thoracic surgery, esophageal surgery and trauma.

Professor Abebe is a member of the Governing Council and Chairman of the Examinations and Credentials Committee at the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and Editor-in Chief of the East and Central Africa Journal of Surgery. He has published more than 90 articles and book chapters and is a recipient of several regional and international awards and recognitions and is a member of the editorial board of the JAMA health forum and the Ethiopian Medical Journal. He also serves as a member of the advisory council to the Ethiopian ministry of sciences and higher education. 

Professor Abebe is actively engaged in Global Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiatives and has served as a senior advisor to the Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia in the Saving Lives Through Safe Surgery (SaLTS) initiative. He has participated in and led numerous panels is medical education and global surgery and is passionate about equitable access to surgical care, care, gender equity in global surgery and surgical education. His research interest include equity in global surgery, trauma care, surgical oncology, medical education, and quality in health care.