GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 13 Ghana. Even ordering food at a hamburger joint brought stares,” he says. “But no one can take away your intellect or your unique sense of self. It taught me to love myself and ignore the distractions.” When it was time for college, Dr. Blankson’s parents had depleted their savings sending his older brother—who ultimately became an attorney—to Harvard. Blankson joined the ROTC and received a scholarship to attend Harvard, where he eventually met his wife. In the ROTC, Dr. Blankson took part in daily 5am physical training, all while maintaining a rigorous course load. After graduation, he became a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, attended medical school at Yale University and then went into active duty service. Blankson completed his pediatric residency and adolescent medicine fellowship and stayed on in the Air Force to train residents. During 10 years of active duty, he worked at troop medical clinics and substance abuse clinics and helped soldiers and their families. Two years ago, Dr. Blankson joined Dr. Susan Sugerman at the Dallas practice she’d founded years prior. Where Sugerman’s Girls to Women Health and Wellness bridges the gap for girls past traditional pediatrics, Young Men’s Health and Wellness, specializes in providing a safe space for young men to come for health care. After dreaming of the day when she would find the ideal partner, Sugerman “just knew” that Dr. Blankson was the right person to “create an equally compelling medical practice for young men.” And she was right—“he has an amazing ability to help young people feel that he's on their team while also helping parents navigate difficult situations. Kids of all ages seem to relate to him like a big brother they can turn to for advice or sometimes a parent they don't have to worry about judging them.” These interactions are why Dr. Blankson’s schedule is booked months in advance for his practice, which is geared toward 10- to 26- year olds. Blankson is the father of three girls, ages ten, seven and four, who he says keep him honest, humble, on his toes and keep his heart very soft. He says the values instilled in him by his parents and the lessons in overcoming obstacles have made him a better dad. He also acknowledges that being a dad makes him a better doctor—he’s in the same shoes as the parents who bring their kids to him, a fact that is essential to helping him “teach young people and their parents how to communicate honestly about difficult subjects.” He understands that “ultimately, parents and their kids want the same things—for them to grow up to be good people who can love and protect themselves.” Dr. Blankson lives in Dallas with his wife, who co-owns a positive psychology consulting firm (goodthink.com). He gives back to the community via work with his wife’s company and volunteering with the Grant Halliburton Foundation (granthalliburton.org), a non-profit organization that provides mental health education, training and support to children, teens and young adults (see page 44 for related story), and via anti- bullying speaking engagements. What have his experiences taught him? That it’s important to raise awareness to change people’s minds. “I can start in my role as a doctor; whatever biases people may have, I think I blow them out of the water,” he says. “I live by example. The color of your skin doesn’t matter.” For his fortitude and resolve to show that fulfillment, happiness, intellect and success know no boundaries, Good Life Family magazine is proud to present our prestigious VIP award to Dr. Kwabena “Bobo” Blankson. Dr. Blankson is the father of three girls, Christiana, 10, Gabriella, 7, and Kobi, 4. He says the values instilled in him by his parents and the lessons in overcoming obstacles have made him a better dad and a better doctor. Dr. Bobo with wife Amy, whom he met while attending Harvard. He gives back to the community via work with her positive psychology consulting firm (goodthink.com), volunteering with the Grant Halliburton Foundation (granthalliburton.org), a non-profit organization that provides mental health education,trainingandsupport,andviaanti-bullyingspeakingengagements. “I can start in my role as a doctor; whatever biases people may have, I think I blow them out of the water. I live by example. The color of your skin doesn’tmatter.” -Dr. Kwabena Blankson