Dr. Deqo Aden Mohamed is a Somali-born obstetrician-gynecologist and founder of Hagarla Institute, which leads maternal health, medical research, and capacity-building initiatives across Somalia. She is co-founder of the Somali Cancer Society and former CEO of the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation, which supported thousands of displaced people through Hope Village, a community founded by her mother, Dr. Hawa Abdi. 

Dr. Mohamed earned her MD in Moscow, trained in the U.S., and returned to Somalia, where she led the 400-bed Dr. Hawa Abdi Hospital, a women’s education center, primary school, and smart farming projects from 2007 to 2019. She coordinated life-saving efforts during a measles outbreak in partnership with Doctors Without Borders, vaccinating over 14,000 children. 

In 2020, she headed Somalia’s National COVID-19 Call Center, managing a team that handled thousands of calls daily and advised the Prime Minister of Somalia on the country’s evolving pandemic response. 

She now leads nationwide maternal health programs through Hagarla Institute and works full-time in Somalia. Dr. Mohamed is a 2016 Yale World Fellow, holds an Honorary Doctorate from Chatham University 2017, BET Black Girl Rock Award 2012 and Glamour Woman of the Year 2010.