Biographical summary
Joseph Atule Akambase, M.B., Ch.B., M.P.H., is a board-certified internal medicine physician in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His clinical practice focuses on comprehensive and consultative internal medicine, including the evaluation of patients with complex and undifferentiated medical conditions. He has particular clinical and academic interests in liver disease, preventive medicine and global health.
Dr. Akambase takes a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care. He works with patients to understand their health concerns, establish a diagnosis, manage acute and chronic medical conditions, and develop individualized strategies to improve their long-term health. His interests in liver disease include viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Areas of expertise
- Complex and undifferentiated medical conditions: Comprehensive evaluation of patients with symptoms or medical concerns without a clearly established diagnosis.
- Consultative internal medicine: Evaluation and management of patients with complex medical conditions, including coordination of care across specialties.
- Liver disease: Evaluation and management of liver conditions, with particular interests in viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
- Preventive medicine: Identification and management of risk factors to prevent disease and promote long-term health.
Research and professional highlights
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Akambase is actively involved in research, global health and medical education. His research focuses on viral hepatitis, chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, with particular interests in health disparities and liver disease in African and other underserved populations. His scholarly work has also examined metabolic liver disease and the impact of social determinants
of health on outcomes among patients with chronic liver disease.
Dr. Akambase is committed to medical education and has experience teaching and supervising internal medicine residents and medical students in both ambulatory and inpatient settings.
Dr. Akambase earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana Medical School and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He completed the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training program at Harvard Medical School and his internal medicine residency at Hennepin Healthcare.
Interests
- Complex and Undifferentiated Medical Conditions
- Consultative Internal Medicine
- Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion
- Liver Disease
- Viral Hepatitis, including Hepatitis B
- Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
- International Medicine and Global Health
- Hospital Medicine
- Medical Education
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2025
Residency - Internal MedicineHennepin Healthcare
- 2022
Research Training - Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program, Clinical Trials ConcentrationHarvard Medical School
- 2022
MPHUniversity of Minnesota School of Public Health
- 2020
EMTCentral Lakes College
- 2015
MB ChBUniversity of Ghana Medical School
- 2012
BScUniversity of Ghana
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2025
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal Medicine
Awards and honors
- 2022
Henry Blackburn AwardUniversity of Minnesota School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health
- 2022
Student Research Day Scientific Poster, MPH Category - Second PrizeUniversity of Minnesota School of Public Health
- 2021
Acara Fellowship 2021University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment
- 2021
University of Minnesota School of Public Health Alumni ScholarshipUniversity of Minnesota School of Public Health
- 2014
Student Leadership AwardCatholic Archdiocese of Accra
- 2010
Full Merit Scholarship for Medical SchoolGovernment of Ghana
Professional memberships
- 2022 - 2025
MemberHennepin Healthcare, Resident Leadership Team
- 2022 - 2025
MemberHennepin Healthcare, Program Evaluation Community
- 2022 - present
MemberAmerican College of Physicians
- 2020 - 2022
MemberUniversity of Minnesota, Global Health Advisory Board
- 2020 - 2022
Student SenatorUniversity of Minnesota School of Public Health
- 2016 - present
MemberGhana Medical Association
Publications