In the realm of surgery, where the echo of footsteps has predominantly been male, a remarkable journey unfolds on the trail blazed by Dr. Karen Mbaabu. Today’s safari delves into the pathways that she navigated to become a distinguished oncoplastic breast surgeon. Historically, surgery has witnessed a dearth of female physicians, prompting extensive research to unravel why the surge in female medical students hasn’t translated into a surge in women pursuing surgical specialties. Dr. Mbaabu, alongside other extraordinary female surgeons, stands as a testament to reshaping the narrative of women in surgery.
Embarking on her odyssey, Dr. Mbaabu pursued her subspecialty in oncoplastic breast surgery in the United Kingdom, transcending the boundaries set by convention. The term World Making, coined to encapsulate the intricacies of triumph as a woman and surgeon, takes center stage in her narrative. As elucidated by Hill et al. in their 2015 study, “You become a man in a man’s world, Dr. Mbaabu defies and reshapes the discourse surrounding women in surgery. I have affectionately dubbed her as “Wonder Woman”; for her awe-inspiring journey, Dr. Mbaabu’s tale unveils the resilience, dedication, and tenacity required to succeed in a field where challenges are as formidable as the surgeries performed. Stay tuned, for missing out on this captivating expedition is not an option!
Resource Alert!!!
https://www.aomrc.org.uk/medical-training-initiative/
https://www.iscp.ac.uk/media/1342/oncoplastic-breast-surgery-curriculum-2022.pdf
https://www.cosecsa.org/fcs-ecsa-information/
S3 Ep. 4: Your Boy Will Be a Surgeon One Day – Dr. Karan Gandhi – Fellowship Safaris
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Episode 1: Welcome To The Fellowship Safaris Podcast – 10 Minutes
Credits:
Executive Producer and original music: Mwakavi Maweu. Sound designer: Tevin Sudi. Special Thanks to AQ Studios. Graphic Designer: Benjamin Mboya. Special Thanks to Josephine Karianjahi and Melissa Mbugua of Africa Podfest. Created and Hosted by Dr. Njeri Karianjahi. All Rights Reserved by Dr. Njeri Karianjahi and Fellowship Safaris Podcast.
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