When I was two years old my parents moved onboard the M/V Anastasis, a hospital ship run by the organization Mercy Ships, which provided relief and medical services to communities in developing countries. The greatest advantage of growing up on the ship was the opportunity to see so much of the world. Needless to say, my childhood was unique.
As a teenager on the ship we were able to participate in the community health programs. One day we went to the village of Macumba in Sierra Leone to provide assistance during a measles outbreak. Two children died that day and it made a huge impact on me. It was then that I decided to pursue medicine with the desire to one day go back to Africa.
After obtaining my medical degree and diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene I went to Freetown, Sierra Leone in March 2005 to set up a pediatric outpatient clinic in an area of town where pediatric services were not available. The clinic was very successful with 14,000 children registered and busy clinic days with 50-60 patients. In July 2009 I was able to handover the clinic to a national doctor and the project is still ongoing.
In June 2010 I returned as a volunteer to Sierra Leone as Medical Coordinator for the Welbodi Partnership at the Ola During Children's Hospital in Freetown. I have worked closely with this hospital in the past, having referred many sick children there from the outpatient clinic, often wishing that the accessibility and quality of care was better. Fortunately this is changing. It is exciting to know that I will now play a role in improving the quality of care given at the hospital.
I am keen on finding my way within the government system to contribute to bringing about positive change at the Children's Hospital. I look forward to working alongside the national doctors and nurses, assisting, teaching and encouraging them as they go about their work. I am excited about the Post-graduate Training program that Welbodi has initiated. Part of this project will include the development of the x-ray department and laboratory in order to work towards accreditation of the hospital as a Teaching Hospital. A big task, but not impossible. I also hope to be able to help the children in Sierra Leone and be involved clinically as time allows. Of course, there are many aspects of patient care that I can address and influence such as: proper documentation, provision of essential equipment, introduction of protocols etc.
The challenges will be great but I am excited about this opportunity. I believe this is a job I can pour my heart into combining my love for children, longing to make a difference in the developing world, fighting for justice, being a voice for those who cannot speak up, using my medical knowledge and skills and reflecting God’s love.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.
As a teenager on the ship we were able to participate in the community health programs. One day we went to the village of Macumba in Sierra Leone to provide assistance during a measles outbreak. Two children died that day and it made a huge impact on me. It was then that I decided to pursue medicine with the desire to one day go back to Africa.
After obtaining my medical degree and diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene I went to Freetown, Sierra Leone in March 2005 to set up a pediatric outpatient clinic in an area of town where pediatric services were not available. The clinic was very successful with 14,000 children registered and busy clinic days with 50-60 patients. In July 2009 I was able to handover the clinic to a national doctor and the project is still ongoing.
In June 2010 I returned as a volunteer to Sierra Leone as Medical Coordinator for the Welbodi Partnership at the Ola During Children's Hospital in Freetown. I have worked closely with this hospital in the past, having referred many sick children there from the outpatient clinic, often wishing that the accessibility and quality of care was better. Fortunately this is changing. It is exciting to know that I will now play a role in improving the quality of care given at the hospital.
I am keen on finding my way within the government system to contribute to bringing about positive change at the Children's Hospital. I look forward to working alongside the national doctors and nurses, assisting, teaching and encouraging them as they go about their work. I am excited about the Post-graduate Training program that Welbodi has initiated. Part of this project will include the development of the x-ray department and laboratory in order to work towards accreditation of the hospital as a Teaching Hospital. A big task, but not impossible. I also hope to be able to help the children in Sierra Leone and be involved clinically as time allows. Of course, there are many aspects of patient care that I can address and influence such as: proper documentation, provision of essential equipment, introduction of protocols etc.
The challenges will be great but I am excited about this opportunity. I believe this is a job I can pour my heart into combining my love for children, longing to make a difference in the developing world, fighting for justice, being a voice for those who cannot speak up, using my medical knowledge and skills and reflecting God’s love.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8.
