SPEAKER PROFILES:

Dr Catherine Nyongesa

Catherine Nyongesa is a Clinical and Radiation Oncologist at Texas Cancer Centre Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital, with over 20 years of experience in Oncology conducting inpatient and outpatient management of cancer patients. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (University of Nairobi), Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), and a Fellowship (FC Rad Onc) in Radiation Oncology from the College of Radiation Oncologists of South Africa.

Among the key organizations, she has been a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Health Professions Council of South Africa, International Gynecologic Cancer Society, and is former Chair of the Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO).

She has received a number of awards in recognition of her work nationally and globally. These include:

1. Conquer Cancer Foundation (2011, ASCO Annual Meeting),
2. IDEA (International Development Education Award- ASCO, 2009)
3. IGCS (International Gynecologic Cancer Society) Travelling Scholarship Award 2008
4. Employee excellence award KNH 2007,
5. MMED dissertation paper passed with distinction 2005 at University of the Witwatersrand, SA.
6. Best O level and A level student Misikhu Girls High school (St Cecilia)

Dr Catherine Nyongesa is the first female radiation oncologist in Kenya.

She is one of the founders of the Texas Cancer Center Nairobi, and currently holds the position of Head of Department of the Cancer Treatment Centre at Kenyatta National Hospital. She is an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Nairobi and the Project/Program Leader of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Patient Navigation Program at Kenyatta National Hospital. She is also the Regional Project Coordinator for the following International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)Project: AFRA- RAF/6/055 on Improving the Quality of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Frequently Occurring Cancers.

Dr Peter Itsura

Peter Itsura is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Gynaecologic Oncologist. He works in the Department of Reproductive Health at Moi University School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences. He is a Lecturer and Acting Chair of Department. He teaches and offer clinical services at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Dr Itsura is the current deputy Chair, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology and deputy lead AMPATH Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (ACCP) with screening clinics spread throughout the AMPATH Catchment are in Western Kenya.

He started the first Clinical Fellowship at Moi University in collaboration with his colleague and other North American partners from the University of Toronto. This was not only the first such training in Kenya but indeed in the region.

Moderator: Dr Jackline Makokha

Jackline Makokha is Clinical Oncologist at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital and Synergy Clinics in Kisumu.

She holds an MBCHB from University of Nairobi and MPH degree from the University of Liverpool (UK) from where her thesis work on Triple Negative Breast cancer led her to pursue a Masters in Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine from Alexandria University (Egypt).

Her interests are in Breast, Prostate, Cervical and Colorectal cancer.