When we say doctor, subconsciously, most of us envision a man. As with other professions we therefore feel the need to specify ‘female doctors’ to make it clear that they are she. These are the stories of a few of the female doctors , representing the many great women driving the changes in our healthcare system. They focus on the holistic approach to healthcare, they consult each other and they spot the loopholes that it takes a woman to spot. They are surgeons with the heart of a lioness and the hands of a lady.

Dr.Miriam Mutebi
Only registered female breast surgical oncologist in Kenya.

READ HER STORY HERE: Dr. Miriam Mutebi Shares the Intricacies of Cancer Care in Sub Saharan Africa!

Noteworthy: Vice President East Africa – African Organisation for Research & Training in Cancer, Treasurer: Executive Committee for the Kenya Hematology and Oncology Society, Co-Founder Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons Steering committee, Kenya Association of Women Surgeons
Practicing at Aga Khan and pursuing piloting to achieve the flying doctor childhood dream!

Bucket list: climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and have a ‘Hemingway’ moment.
Recommended read: Chronicle of a Death Foretold – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

 

“We are rapidly moving away from the patriarchal approach in medicine where I come down the mountain with the ten commandments of what was going to happen to your health. We are partners in helping patients achieve their health goals and thus we guide patients on becoming more proactive about their health.” Dr. Miriam Mutebi

 

  Dr. Elizabeth Okemwa Mwachiro, 36
General Surgeon Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County.

READ HER STORY HERE: Dr. Liz Mwachiro: Female Surgeon Who Opened School in Bomet County!

Faculty/Lecturer- Pan Africa Association of Christian Surgeons(PAACS)/College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa(COSECSA)
Chairlady – Kenya Association of Women Surgeons- KAWS
Council Member – Surgical Society of Kenya, Instructor, Advanced Trauma and Life Support (ATLS) Kenya
Founder of Tenwek International School
Bucket list: Meet Barack and Michelle Obama
Recommended read: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown

“Sometimes when you are really unwell as a patient, you do not know what to do; you rely on the doctor. At the end of the day , the doctor is just as vulnerable; we the surgeons have been called to work with our hands, but it is God who has the ultimate plan for us.”

 

Marilynn Omondi, 36
General Surgeon (with interest in breast surgical oncology) and Lecturer at University of Nairobi

READ HER STORY HERE: Surgeon Dr. Marilynn Omondi Shares on Coping With Losing a Patient!

Member: Surgical Society of Kenya, Senological Breast Society of Kenya
Bookie, wife to a supportive husband together raising two girls
Bucket list: Visit the Alps and the Karolinska Institute and go for a concert by Elevation WorshipRecommended read: When Breathe Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi

“It would be unethical for a doctor to tell you not to worry before further investigation if a lump has been identified; it is our duty to minimise error.”

Dr. Susan Wanjiru Karanja, 36
Consultant Neurosurgeon & Guest Lecturer, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)Wife to a fellow doctor, ENT surgeon & new mother to an 8 month old.

READ HER STORY HERE: Dr. Susan Karanja Among the Only Three Female Neurosurgeons in Kenya!

Member: Kenya Association of Women Surgeons, East Africa Association of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Neurosurgeons South Africa, Kenya Medical Association
Bucket list: visit Antartica
Recommended read: The Signature of all things – Elizabeth Gilbert

“As a female doctor you have to work twice as hard. There is still the perception of family restrictions and anticipated maternity leave. It is more intense in surgery.”

 

Dr. Carol Nthiwa, 34
Resident in Urology

READ HER STORY HERE: Dr. Carol Nthiwa Becomes The Urologist Who Would Have Saved Her Mother’s Life!

Member: Kenya Association of Urological Surgeons
Societe Internationale Urologie
Kenya Association of Women Surgeons
Bucket list: Pioneer in female urology in Kenya
Recommended read: Diligently sticks to her books on urology.

“I never knew I am a clever girl until I got to class six and reality hit me that I am soon going to lose my mum and I thought I had to work hard to become a kidney doctor to try and treat my mother.”

 

Dr. Neema Mbaruku, 38
Orthopedic and Orthoplastic surgeon (replacement and reconstruction of joints)
First female doctor to have registered in orthopedic surgery in Kenya

READ HER STORY HERE: Dr. Neema Mbaruku: First Female to Register in Orthopedic Surgery in Kenya!

Member: Kenya Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
Bucket list:
Recommended read: Price of Honour – Jan Goodwin

“As a single parent my child looks up to me for everything, yet I also have to give my work the same.”

Images  by IG: @wangoalfred and personal contributions by the surgeons.