Fifteen years ago, Dr Edwin Mogere was part of the first-ever batch of the University’s Nairobi-based residency in surgery.
The four-year programme, the only one of its kind in Kenya at the time, saw him learn from working alongside experienced mentors as he gained the advanced surgical skills needed to treat complex diseases.
Today, Dr Mogere runs the University’s four-year residency in surgery and is a practicing neurosurgeon.
Dr Mogere was recently invited to AKU’s Stadium Road campus as the chief guest at the 2018 Postgraduate Medical Education graduation ceremony where he shared key moments from his career and guided aspiring specialists on how to make the most of their education.
Q. How was your experience as a postgraduate trainee at AKU.
My dream, always, was to be a neurosurgeon. At the time there were no formal training opportunities in Kenya and I was grateful for the chance to get a surgical education at AKU.
The four years of general surgery residency were exhilarating to say the least. It was a journey of self-discovery, soul searching, fear, trepidation and triumph.
I met my two mentors Professor Mushtaq Ahmed and Professor Asad Raja during my residency. They have had a colossal influence on my life and remain a great source of support and guidance today.
The most impressive lesson that I learnt from them was how to be a caring physician and to strive to be a valuable human being.
Q. What was your next step after your residency?
With the sponsorship of the University, I was sent for a further five-year neurosurgery training at the University of Cape Town. I will repeat that, a further five years of training!
In that time, I was fortunate to complete basic neurosurgical training and then even more specialised training as a neuroendovascular and skull base surgeon.
After completing the course, I returned to AKU in January 2015 and it felt like I was coming home after a nine-year labour of love, ambition and sacrifice. I truly felt blessed and it was particularly gratifying to return as a faculty member in neurosurgery in a department chaired by one of my mentors, Professor Asad Raja.
Q. What achievements are you most proud of?
With my colleagues in Nairobi we have been fortunate to establish our nation and the region’s only functional neuroendovascular (brain and spinal cord surgery) service as well as robust neurointensive and neurooncological services.
I am also grateful to have had the chance to introduce a minimally invasive procedure to treat stroke, mechanical thrombectomy, at AKUH Nairobi. We continue to be the only hospital in East and Central Africa to offer this life-saving technique.
Q. How can the three As help a medical trainee advance their career as a specialist?
The first ‘A’ stands for availability. You should always be open to new opportunities. All interns and residents will get opportunities. The difference in outcomes will be determined by whether one has the insight to recognise them and the will to perform the necessary tasks to take advantage of them.
The next ‘A’ is affability. You need to be an approachable person to be able to care for others, teach others and form meaningful partnerships with those around you. This reminds me of a quote from one of my mentors, Professor Mushtaq Ahmed: “The world cannot be suited to your needs and preferences. It is you who will have to adapt to the world around you to be successful.”
A chief resident in surgery often finds himself or herself caught up in a variety of challenging situations. The willingness to adapt and to be affable allows allow patients, colleagues and mentors to aid you through the difficult parts of your journey.
With that I come to the final ‘A’, ability. You must strive to achieve competence in your chosen field and as such you must be prepared to do what is necessary in time and place. You must be prepared for whatever it takes.
Persistence, sacrifice, opportunity and God’s favor will often conspire to help you achieve the necessary abilities. Some believe ability is the least important of the 3 As, but in my view an available and affable doctor who has no ability is a disservice to himself/herself and is likely a dangerous professional.
You must find your ability, grow into it or train into it. In other words, ability is the cornerstone of finding and settling into your niche and being successful in your career.
Q. What is your message to this year’s class of 194 graduating interns and residents?
First of all, Pongezi! It’s a Swahili word which means congratulations, well done and impressive, all in one word.
I’d also share two pieces of advice.
Firstly, do not become cavalier with other people’s lives. This entails always advocating for your patients’ best interest and always seeking to improve yourself. Know your limits, be aware of your support structures and be willing to benefit from those structures. All in all, you should always be investing in improving things around you.
Secondly, as you have likely been lifted up, supported and guided by your mentors; you should be that source of encouragement to others. Guide others and, if you are so lucky, inspire them.
The world is full of pessimists, skeptics, critics and preciously short of optimists, teachers and mentors. We all could use you in the latter category.