THeme: CLOSE THE CARE GAP

SPEAKER PROFILES:

Professor Nicholas Anthony 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 Catherine Nyongesa

Catherine Nyongesa is a Clinical/Radiation Oncologist at Texas Cancer Centre Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital, with over 10 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, and International Gynecologic Cancer Society.

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

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

She is one of the founders of the Texas Cancer Center Nairobi.

Dr Nyongesa is also the first female radiation oncologist in Kenya, and an honorary lecturer university of Nairobi.

Professor Ronald Wasike

Ronald Wasike did both his undergraduate and post-graduate medical studies at the University of Nairobi Medical School in Kenya. He did his clinical fellowship in breast surgery at the University of Alberta in Western Canada. He won the first Avon foundation for women scholarship for Global clinical Breast Cancer Scholars where he was attached at the Emory University Atlanta Georgia in the USA.

He has worked as a military doctor in the Kenya Defense Forces Medical Corps previously before joining the Aga Khan University- Nairobi, where he currently heads the Breast service and teaches post-graduate students. His main interests are to provide the best breast clinical services in Kenya and in the broader Eastern region, patient health education, and clinical research on breast cancer.

Prof Wasike is currently pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry in Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism in Breast Cancer patients at the University of Nairobi.

Professor Jessie Githanga

Jessie Githanga is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, Kenya. She has over 30 years teaching experience at the Faculty of Medicine and provision of clinical services in haematology and paediatric oncology at the Kenyatta National Hospital. She is also a researcher at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital where she is a principal investigator in several multinational clinical trials in sickle cell disease.

In the public sector, she has been a member of several Ministry of Health technical working groups in cancer and sickle cell disease and has been involved in the in-service training of healthcare workers of all cadres. She is a Founder Member College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa; Kenya Society for Haematology and Oncology; Board Member of the Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations; founder trustee/board member of Kenya Childhood Cancer Trust. She has received various awards for professionalism and service including from Kenya Society for Haematology and Oncology (2022), Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital (2023) and the CEO Global award for Most Influential Women in Africa and the Lifetime Achievement Regional Award for Education and Training (2015).

Professor Shadrack Ojwang’

Shadrack Ojwang’ is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
He is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Gynaecologic Oncologist at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital.

Dr Zipporah Ali

Zipporah Ali is a Palliative Care Physician and a Public Health Specialist. She is the currently an independent consultant. She serves on the boards of Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA) and the African Palliative Care Association (APCA). She is the recent past chair of the NCD Alliance Kenya (NCDAK) and the past Vice President of Africa Organization for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC) East Africa. She was the Executive Director of Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA), a position she held for 14 years before she retired in 2021. She also worked in the first hospice in Kenya-Nairobi Hospice as the Senior Medical Officer for over 14 years before she left to set up KEHPCA. In her retirement, she continues to be involved in advocacy and creating awareness on NCDS including cancer. She has received a number of awards for her work in palliative care nationally, regionally and globally. These include:

European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) Palliative Care Leadership Award 2023
Doctor of Law Honoris Causa-University of Dundee (2018) in recognition for her work in palliative care regionally and globally
International Humanitarian Award-Women4Africa (2018)
Social Impact Award for the Sub-Saharan Africa region-British Council (2018)
Honorary Doctor of the University by Oxford Brookes University (2012)
Individual Advocacy Award by the African Palliative Care Association and Open Society Foundations (2013).

Ms Benda Kithaka

Benda is the Executive Director of KILELE Health Association. A Health Advocate based in Kenya, with a background in policy advocacy, health systems strengthening, social behavior change communications, and community mobilization. Benda is an award-winning speaker, panel moderator, published author, and a recipient of numerous awards.

She sits on various global, regional and in-country technical and advisory working-groups. Benda has been instrumental in establishing strong ties between government agencies, development agencies, and service providers; making it possible to engage communities in evidence-based approaches to cancer control and management. She has also successfully championed collaborative research projects and is published in several peer-reviewed journals.

At KILELE Health, she leads a team of cancer survivors and caregivers who utilize their lived experiences as advocacy champions to reduce stigma, inspire hope, and change mindsets, thus influencing uptake of prevention of cervical and breast cancers. www.kilelehealth.org

Dr Irene Weru

Irene Weru has worked at Kenyatta National Hospital since 2003 and is current head of clinical pharmacy.

She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy with sub-specialization in oncology pharmacy from the University of Nairobi.

Dr. Weru is a member of various National and international technical working groups including Demand Forecasting and Quantification TWG of the Coalition for Access to NCD Medicines, ChemoSafe Regional TWG, Pharmacy Advisory Council -Global HOPE Pediatric Hematology /Oncology Centers of Excellence and NCI-Kenya Quality Management Expert Working Group.

Dr. Weru is a member of several professional associations including HOPAK, PSK, KESHO and ISOPP. She is the current Secretary to the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP).

Besides oncology, Dr. Weru has interest in medicines management and use especially medicine formulary management. She is also an honorary lecturer at University of Nairobi, School of Pharmacy and provides research and clinical practice supervision to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr Doreen Karimi Mutua

Doreen Mutua is a pediatrician whose passion for children with blood disorders and cancer was ignited during her residency training at the University of Nairobi where she noticed that most of these children had dismal outcomes due to late presentation, lack of appropriate diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Dr. Mutua is a beneficiary of a two year training program conducted as a twinning program between Jimma University(Ethiopia) and ASLAN Project (a USA based Non-Governmental organization) that seeks to build capacity of low and middle income countries in treating children with blood disorders and cancer.

She completed her training in May 2018 and returned back to Kenya to establish hematology/oncology services that include centers of excellence for pediatric cancer care and comprehensive sickle cell care at the Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital.

She is passionate about raising awareness on childhood cancer with regard to early detection, establishing treatment guidelines and improving outcomes of Kenyan children who have cancer. She is also keen on seeing the establishment of comprehensive sickle cell centers in the country which can help reduce the morbidity and mortality of these patients.

Dr Joan-Paula Bor-Malenya

Joan-Paula Bor is a public health specialist with a special interest in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and 15 years professional experience in the Kenyan public health sector, including over 10 years in clinical care and hospital management.

She is currently the Lead for the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Pillar in the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP), Ministry of Health. Her role involves developing and implementing policies and programs towards the achievement of the National Cancer Control Strategy. She coordinated the development of the National Cancer Screening Guidelines in 2018 and is keen to see through the advancement of a harmonized cancer screening program nationwide. She also coordinates the National Technical Working Group on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection & Screening. Dr Bor holds a Master of Science in Global Health & Non-Communicable Diseases from University of Edinburgh.

Ms. Roselyne A. Okumu

Roselyne A. Okumu is a dedicated Lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, specializing in Oncology Nursing. She seamlessly integrates her clinical expertise into her educational endeavors. Her influence extends to student mentorship, curriculum development/review and development of scope of practice for oncology and palliative care nursing.

As the President of the Oncology Nurses Chapter, Roselyne has proven herself as a dynamic leader with a passion for driving positive change in the field. She has excellent project planning and management skills, marked by insightful precision, emphasizing timely and impactful results. Valued for her role as both a team player and leader, she cultivatesstrong interpersonal relationships, prioritizing teamwork, integrity, collaboration, and veracity.

Throughout her illustrious career, Roselyne has spearheaded impactful projects, including pioneering cancer screening and awareness initiatives and leading the groundbreaking oncology induction program for nurses and Chemo-safe training.

At Kenyatta National Hospital, she ascended to the position of Nurse Manager at the Cancer Treatment Centre, where she introduced a comprehensive outpatient chemotherapy clinic, and supervised patient navigation program and themultidisciplinary teams; showcasing her innovative approach to healthcare. She is a fervent advocate for quality patient care in cancer prevention and control. She collaborates locally and internationally to shape national cancer control framework, strategies, screening guidelines, treatment protocols, and regulatory frameworks. She has contributed to development of AORTIC oncology Nursing Competencies.

Holding a Master of Science degree in Oncology Nursing from the University of Nairobi (2015) and actively pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Oncology Nursing, (UON),Roselyne is deeply engaged in collaborative research, publications, and policy development, showcasing her unwavering commitment to advancing cancer prevention and control. Her research interests are; in cancer prevention & control, quality treatment outcomes and effective symptom management. As the esteemed President of the Oncology Nurses Chapter-Kenya and a dedicated member of KESHO, NNAK, AORTIC and ISNCC, Roselyne remains a driving force in the oncology community, leaving an indelible mark on the field she passionately serves.

Dr Abeid Athman Omar (Moderator)

Abeid Omar is a Consultant Clinical (medical and radiation) Oncologist and Nuclear Medicine at the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH). He also consults for International Cancer Institute – ICI Eldoret, Kenya. He has keen interest in breast cancer in young women, oncofertility, breast cancer research, radiotherapy, advocacy and Global Oncology particularly in LMIC.

Dr. Abeid completed his training in Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine in Alexandria University Egypt in 2021. He is a fellow of College of European School of Oncology (ESCO) and he has also successfully passed the ESMO exam to become a certified ESMO oncologist.

Dr. Abeid has conducted researches, presented abstracts in ESMO, ASCO, ESTRO, St. Gallen, KESHO conferences and Aga Khan Symposium, published in peer reviewed journals about breast cancer in young women, pregnancy associated breast cancer, pregnancy after breast cancer among others under the close guidance of Prof. Hatem Azim, who has been mentoring him since 2019.

Dr. Abeid is an active member of several societies including KESHO – where he also serves as a member of the education committee, ASCO, ESMO, ESCO, Society of Toxicology. In 2019 he was awarded the ASCO Virtual Mentorship Program and currently he is under the mentorship of College of European School of Oncology. Besides, Dr. Abeid serves as a reviewer for several journals.