Obsa Hassan
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Obsa Hassan | |
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| Born | Ethiopia |
| Occupation | Internal medicine physician, human rights advocate |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Employer | Allina Health (Mercy Hospital) |
| Organization | International Oromo Health Professionals Association (founder and past president) |
| Known for | Founder and past president of the International Oromo Health Professionals Association (IOHPA); human rights advocacy; global health initiatives |
| Awards | Minnesota Outstanding Refugee Civic Engagement Award (2020) |
Obsa Hassan is a human rights advocate, winner of the Minnesota Outstanding Refugee Civic Engagement Award(2020), and founder and past president of the International Oromo Health Professionals Association (IOHPA).[1] Hassan has worked as an internal medicine physician at Allina Health’s Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, since 2015.[2]
Hassan serves on the advisory board of the Duluth Global Health Research Institute and is involved in global health, community health, and nonprofit work related to the Oromo community.[1][3][4]
Hassan is an Oromo refugee, one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia. He has described that his experiences as an Oromo refugee has influenced his interest towards serving and advocating for health improvements in Oromia, a region in Ethiopia that is predominantly inhabited by the Oromo ethnic group.[1]
Early life and education
Dr. Hassan was born in Oromia, Ethiopia, where he attended school through eighth grade before moving to Kenya. In Kenya, he lived alongside Borana Oromos who spoke Afaan Oromo. In 1999, Hassan immigrated to the US with his family as a refugee and settled in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.[1]
Education
Hassan received a scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2006. He received his MD from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2012. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital from in 2015. Post residency, Hassan joined Allina Health.[1][2]
Community Service
Hassan is known for his community service and leadership. He serves on several non-profit boards in Minnesota and in Ethiopia. These include the International Oromo Health Professionals Association(President), the Oromo Community of Minnesota (President), the OPA Oromia Medical Research Board, the Irkoo Dabbaal Association, and HIRPHA International (Humanitarian Initiative to Relieve the Plight in the Horn of Africa International).
Hassan has been recognized for numerous community services: free health screenings with the Oromo Community of Minnesota organization, and volunteering at the https://www.mnmed.org/about-us/mma-foundation/our-initiatives/physician-volunteerism/hadi-medical-clinic Hadi Medical Clinic, a free clinic in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota that serves immigrants in the community.[5] He holds leadership positions in organizations that serve the community, including the Humanitarian Initiative to Relieve the Plight in the Horn of Africa International, and the Oromia Physicians Association.[5]
Awards and Publications
Awards
- Hassan received the Minnesota Outstanding Refugee Awards program award for Civic Engagement in 2020. He was recognized by the State of Minnesota for his contributions through volunteer work and community service.[6][7]
- Achievement in Serving the Region from Abroad Award, Oromia Physicians Association - Waldaa Haakimoota Oromiyaa, 2020.[8]
Publications
- Psychosocial Correlates of Experience and Intention to Receive Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study Among East African Men in the U.S. The journal of primary prevention vol. 42,6 (2021): 603-623. doi:10.1007/s10935-021-00648-x. The study investigated demographic and psychosocial factors associated with colorectal cancer screening among East African immigrant men in the United States.[9]
Global Health Initiatives
Hassan serves on the advisory board of the Duluth Global Health Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Hassan founded and served as president of the International Oromo Health Professionals Association. IOHPA was established in 2017 following a meeting among Oromo health professionals in November 2016. IOHPA held its first organizational conference in Chicago in May 2017.[3]
Hassan participated in projects under IOHPA that are aimed to support underprivileged healthcare facilities in Ethiopia. Through the Matters Chiro Hospital project in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Hassan renovated the hospital and equipped it with specialized medical equipment.[1][3][4] IOHPA partnered with the https://oromiaphysicians.org/
Through Oromo Physicians Association (OPA), Hassan provides training to local physicians on the usage of the medical equipment.[10]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Hassan worked to provide health education to the Oromo community globally.[1] Social media platforms were used to upload educational videos on the IOHPA website and YouTube.[3][11]
In 2020, Dr. Hassan established his own clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, known as Axis Family Clinic located in Northeast Minneapolis.[1][12] The clinic was put in place to serve the local community of largely of the East African population.
Advocacy Activities
Hassan advocated for House Resolution 128 during the 115th Congress, which addressed human rights concerns in Ethiopia. The bill passed on April 10, 2018.[1][13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Obsa Hassan- Founder, Activist, and Former Refugee". Epimonia. 2021-09-06. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dr. Obsa Hassan, MD – Minneapolis, MN | Internal Medicine on Doximity". Doximity. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "IOHPA Home". IOHPA. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Anderson, Sue (2020-01-17). "IOHPA & MATTER: Fulfilling Dreams to Improve Healthcare in Ethiopia". MATTER. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Access Press Staff (2020-11-01). "Refugees who make a difference are honored". Access Press. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
- ↑ "Past Outstanding Refugee Awardees". Together we are Minnesota. MN Department of Human Services. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ↑ Yee, Brandon (25 September 2020). "Minnesota honors 10 refugees for their civic contributions". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ↑ "OPA Recognition". Oromia Physicians Association - Waldaa Haakimoota Oromiyaa's Award. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ↑ Nakajima, Motohiro; Haji, Abdifatah; Sero, Abdul; Taha, Sartu; Habte, Hileena; Jama, Shamso; Hodges, James; Mohamud, Sakhaudiin; Ahmed, Osman; Hassan, Obsa; al’Absi, Mustafa (2021-12-01). "Psychosocial Correlates of Experience and Intention to Receive Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study Among East African Men in the U.S." The Journal of Primary Prevention. 42 (6): 603–623. doi:10.1007/s10935-021-00648-x. ISSN 1573-6547.
- ↑ "OPA's 2022 Award Recipient – OPA". oromiaphysicians.org. Archived from the original on 2024-06-22. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ Oromia 11 (2022-10-25). OROMIA11: IOHPA COVID-19 information / Ergaa Talaallii KOVIID 19. Retrieved 2025-12-17 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Axis Clincs – Minneapolis, Minnesota – Axis Clinics: Your health and wellness is our top priority!". Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ Rep. Smith, Christopher H. R-NJ-4 (2018-04-10). "H.Res.128 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
External links
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