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SPEAKER PROFILES:
Professor Nicholas Othieno-Abinya
Nicholas Anthony Othieno-Abinya is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Nairobi Hospital Cancer Centre. He was formerly Professor of Medicine at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where he was the director of Medical Oncology Fellowship Program and also the head of Haematology/Oncology at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. In 2009 and 2010 he was Head of Oncology at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.
He holds a Master’s degree in Internal Medicine of the University of Nairobi, completed fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Royal London Hospital (University of London) in 1992, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
His research interests are in malignant haematology and breast cancer, in which he has published widely in peer-reviewed journals. He also has keen interest in molecular oncology. He has also authored a text book titled Drug Treatment of Haematologic Neoplasms. He has also co-authored cancer booklets, and has written chapters in several books. His latest book titled ‘Shadow in Perpetuity’ by Lambert Publishers was released in December 2019.
Dr. Othieno-Abinya is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and served in its International Affairs Committee from 2010-2012; Africa Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), having been Vice Chair for Eastern Africa and was a long time member of Council; and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). He founded Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), of which he was the first Chair, and is still its Patron. His outstanding academic achievements were profiled in the University of Nairobi magazine,’ Varsity Focus’ of September 2017.
He has received several awards and honours, including the Kenya Breast Health Programme Award in appreciation of contribution to success of the Breast Cancer Survivors’ Conference on 11-14 July 2003; Kenya Breast Health Programme Award in recognition for outstanding contribution to the care of women with breast cancer in Kenya; Best Oral Presentation by Established Scientist Award, 2ND KASH Conference, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi; 2018 Harvard Global Health Catalyst: Distinguished African Ambassador Award.
Dr Kenedy Ondede
Kenedy Ondede is a Consultant Hepatobiliopancreatic/
His special interests include:
- Surgical gastroenterology
- Champion in Liver/Bariatric and Reflux surgery
He is a member of various professional membership bodies including SSK, GSK, HSK, EAHPBA/IHPBA and WAALS.
Dr Ondede was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) for Champion Innovative Surgery 2023.
Dr Sze Wai Chan
Sze Wai Chan is a medical oncologist in private practice at Sandton Oncology, Johannesburg, South Africa.
She is the director of clinical research at Sandton Oncology and is involved as principal and sub-investigator in local and international clinical trials. She is a member of ASCO, ESMO, IASLC and is an EXCO member of SASMO since 2022. She is the vice president of the Melanoma Society South Africa (MSSA). Her main interests are lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and urogenital cancer. She has authored or co-authored in peer-reviewed journals and has presented abstracts locally and abroad. She also serves on both local and international Advisory Boards. She was trained professionally at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, and she was involved previously with the Wits HREC (Human Research Ethics Committee). She is a co-organizer in the recent SASMO/SASCETS congress (Cape Town), 4-7 April 2024, and the skin cancer symposium (Cape Town), 1-2 March 2024.
Dr Esther Gathura (Moderator)
Dr Esther Wangui Gathura is a Senior Instructor and Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, based at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. Her main areas of interest are in Skin Cancer Management, Burns and Hand Surgery. She also conducts Breast Reconstruction, Lower Limb Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgery.
She attained her undergraduate qualification in Medicine (MBBS) from the University of London, St Georges Medical School in 2008 where she qualified with multiple Merit Awards, along with an Intercalated BSc degree in Anatomy. Dr Gathura completed foundation medical training in the the London Deanery at the Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital following which she embarked on Core Surgical Training Yorkshire and Humber Deanery in the UK where she was first exposed to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Leeds General Infirmary. She gained the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons qualification in 2011. Following this she then successfully applied for the competitive National Training Programme in Plastic Surgery and was placed in the East of England Deanery where she rotated in various internationally renowned Plastic Surgery Centres in the region and was exposed to various disciplines, including Skin Cancer Management, Head and Neck Cancer Reconstruction, Breast Reconstruction, Hand Surgery Burn Care and Aesthetic Surgery and Microsurgery. During this period, she also completed a Master of Science with Merit in Burn Care. Dr Gathura gained her Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery qualification (FRCS Plast) in 2020 and was awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (CCT) in 2022. Following training completion, she embarked on a Fellowship post in Paediatric Plastic Surgery at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. She is currently registered the General Medical Council (GMC) UK, Specialist Register as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
Dr Gathura always aimed to practice plastic surgery in Kenya form the outset, and hence kept the range of her clinical experience broad and relevant to her setting. Upon relocation back to Kenya, she underwent a rigorous Peer review process and was subsequently registered with the Kenyan Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and attained Specialist Recognition in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with the KMPDC in 2023.
Dr Gathura is also widely published and has carried out multiple regional and international presentations. She is currently a member of the Education Committee of the Kenya Plastics Reconstructive and Aesthetics Surgeons (KSPRAS) and sits on the Oncology Committee within the Surgical Society of Kenya SSK.
