Two assistant professors at AKU's Medical College East Africa, Dr Catherine Gathu and Dr Elizabeth Kagotho, have been listed in Business Daily's Top 40 Under 40 Women 2024. They have made significant contributions to Kenya's healthcare sector, with their career journeys rooted in passion and dedication.
Dr Catherine, 39, was raised in central Kenya and recalls that her family had a doctor whom they would call whenever anyone had health concerns. “I drew so much inspiration from him, and I wanted to follow his path. When my high school results came out and I was a grade short of the cut point, my dad promised to enroll me in an alternative programme in medicine."
After obtaining her master's degree in family medicine, Catherine pursued medical education to reform the traditional, paternalistic learning methods she had experienced. She is currently the academic coordinator of the undergraduate medicine programme at AKU, overseeing student learning, liaising with lecturers, and ensuring comprehensive training. Her role also involves teaching, mentoring, and providing support to first-year medical students.
Dr Catherine aspires to run a medical school, continuing her journey of transforming medical education and nurturing future healthcare professionals.
On the other hand, Dr Elizabeth, 38, says her journey began in a small village in central Kenya, where her mother's career as a nurse sparked her dream of becoming a doctor. After joining the University of Nairobi, a pivotal moment during her fifth year led her to the field of hematopathology. Her cousin's cancer diagnosis shifted her focus from paediatrics to diagnosing blood cell diseases like leukaemia.
Despite initial setbacks in her applications, Elizabeth's determination and a nudge from a programme director saw her accepted into a hematopathology programme. Her career breakthrough came during an elective in Canada, where she learned about flow cytometry, a technology essential for diagnosing leukaemia. Following her studies at the Swiss School of Flow Cytometry and a fellowship at the University of Toronto, she returned to Kenya to share her knowledge and enhance diagnostic capabilities.
She is currently working as an assistant professor at AKU and consultant hematopathologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. She is celebrated for her passionate teaching and impactful contributions to society.
Established in 2008, the Top 40 under 40 initiative by the Nation Media Group honours men and women under 40 years who are driving change in Kenya in fields as diverse as healthcare, architecture, law, research, academia, technology, sport and philanthropy.
