speakers

Abeid Omar is a consultant Clinical (medical and radiation) Oncologist and Nuclear Medicine based in Kilifi, Kenya. Besides, he 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.

Prof. Fredrick Chite Asirwa M.D. is the CEO of International Cancer Institute, an organization whose main purpose is to expand Education, Clinical Care and Training opportunities in cancer control and research across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through multi-sectoral collaborations and partnerships with relevant organizations both governmental and NGOs.

e is a Medical Oncologist & Hematologist, PD/PI of several access to personalized cancer care and research initiatives including Blueprint Program (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda), Shining Tower Program, Clinical Trials Program-all geared towards enhancing early detection, promoting primary HPV screening, providing SOC diagnostics & therapeutics cancer research. He has developed several training programs including SSA Oncology Preceptorship training, Digital Pathology Program, Telemedicine Program, Oncology training for Physician assistants (Clinical Officers), development of Oncology Nursing training program in Kenya, Medical Oncology Fellowship Program, Oncology Pharmacy program and assisted in the development of gynecologic oncology program. He also conducts Oncology and Hematology Clinical Trials in SSA.

He was previously (2011-2019), the Director of Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care (AMPATH Oncology & Hematology Consortium) in Kenya. In this role he developed infrastructure for telemedicine at AMPATH, created a robust hematology & oncology outreach program in rural Kenya and participated in the development of the Kenya National Cancer Control policies, strategic plans and guidelines by the National MOH. As PI to various clinical and research programs he established Multiple Myeloma program, Lymphoma Program, functional tumor registry, Breast Cancer screening & treatment program, Hemophilia and Sickle cell diagnostics, treatment & research, EMR for Oncology care and screening, a multinational Lung Cancer Control Program, MLCCP (Kenya, South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, and Eswatini). He also teaches at various Universities in SSA and participates in Scientific Review Committees (SRC) of various Oncology Clinical Trial Centers in SSA.

He has also been an active ASCO member through ASCO’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course (MCMC), International Affairs Committee (IAC), Education Council, ASCO‘s Academic Global Oncology Task Force and as a Peer reviewer to ASCO Journals. He is also currently a member of ASCO-ESMO Global Oncology Curriculum committee and a member of ASCO’s board of directors. He has been recognized for his work to increase access to cancer control for the underserved through various awards including the United States’ National Cancer Institute’s Pearline Global Cancer Research Humanitarian Award, 2020; The Children’s Place International ‘s 2018 Hero Award for his pioneering work in treating children and adults with cancers in Kenya. He is the current Interim President of the College of Oncology of East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA-CO) and a senate member for ECSA Health Community. He is also a distinguished Faculty speaker in both local, regional and International professional conferences and events including ASCO, AORTIC, KESHO, Africa Cancer ECHO, APCA amongst others.

e did his Undergraduate training (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) in Kenya and Post-graduate/specialty training (Internal Medicine Residency & Heme/Onc Fellowship) in the United States.

Dr. Nanji is a surgeon-scientist with the Department of Surgery at Queen’s University. He has earned a MD, PhD, and designation as a clinical investigator through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has dual fellowship accreditation in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery as well as multi-visceral organ transplantation. His clinical training and research interests have provided opportunities to work in several institutions including the Universities of British Columbia, Alberta and Toronto as well as Emory University, Kings College Hospital in London, UK and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His current research interests in oncology complement his clinical practice in the surgical treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. He conducts translational research in the epigenetics of human liver cancer to better risk stratify and treat patients with liver cancer. He also conducts epidemiological and health services research in HPB malignancies through the Cancer Research Institute at Queen’s University. More recently, he is completing a Master’s degree in Global Surgery to advance his clinical and academic interests in global surgical development. Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys playing guitar, martial arts and spending time outdoors with his wife and 3 children.

Dr Karen Mbaabu is a oncoplastic breast surgeon based at the MP Shah hospital Nairobi. She completed her fellowship in oncoplastic breast surgery training in the UK. Prior to that, she had worked as a General Surgeon at a The Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Nairobi.

She undertook her medical training at the University of Nairobi Medical School and her postgraduate training in General Surgery at the Aga khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Dr Mbaabu’s most recent accomplishment is graduating with a Postgraduate certificate in Surgical Leadership from the Harvard Postgraduate Medical School (SLP,Class of 2022) She currently serves as the co-country representative of the COSECSA program.

Dr Mbaabu is passionate about providing quality, compassionate and affordable surgery. Her main interests are oncoplastic breast surgery and surgical education.

Dr Gakinya is an Assistant Professor & Consultant Pathologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital. He is the Oncopathology Fellowship Director in the Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University.

Dr Helna is a Consultant Clinical/Radiation Oncologist and Head of the Oncology Department at Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital.

She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Radiation Oncology program.

She is a member of various Ministry of Health technical working groups aimed at improving access to cancer care in Kenya.

Dr Helena is the first recipient of the Leadership Program of Women in Oncology by the City Cancer Challenge Foundation and ASCO. She serves in the International Education Steering Group at ASCO and is a member of the Public Policy Committee at ESMO.

She is the current KESHO secretary.