Zipporah Gathuya | |
Birth Place: | Kenya |
Education: | University of Nairobi Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Undisclosed Institution in South Africa |
Occupation: | Anesthesiologist |
Nationality: | Kenyan |
Citizenship: | Kenya |
Consultant Pediatric Anesthesiologist |
Zipporah Gathuya, is a Kenyan consultant anesthesiologist, whose sub-specialty is pediatric anesthesia. She served as the Principal Surgeon at St. John Ambulance Kenya, for the 21 years between 1996 and 2017.[1] [2]
She was born in Kenya, and attended Kenyan schools for her elementary and secondary education. She was admitted to the University of Nairobi, where she studied human medicine, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree.[1]
In 2004, while working in the intensive care unit at Kenyatta National Hospital, in Nairobi, she met two pediatric anesthesiologists from the United States. They invited her to accompany them to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, where Gathuya attended a short, interactive course in pediatric anesthesia at the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Upon her return to Kenya, she was able to find a sponsor who funded her studies in South Africa, where she graduated with a Master of Medicine (MMed) degree in Anesthesiology.[3]
Dr Gathuya interned at Chogoria Mission Hospital in Tharaka-Nithi County, approximately 187km (116miles), by road, north-east of Nairobi,[4] where she earned KSh11,430 (US$114.30) per month. In contrast, in July 2017, a medical officer who has just completed internship, earned KSh206,989 (US$2,069.89) per month. After internship, she was hired by Kenyatta National Hospital as a medical officer. While working there, in the intensive care unit, she decided to specialize as a pediatric anesthesiologist.[1]
Zipporah Gathuya, is a married mother of four children,[1] although she cares for a larger number, including bereaved nieces and nephews who lost both parents.[3]
She is a volunteer with St. John Ambulance Kenya, where she served as the Principal Surgeon for 21 consecutive years, ending in 2017. She is a member of the board at Suntra Investment Bank, a brokerage company, based in Nairobi.[1]
Se is an active member of Children's Surgery International, a Minneapolis-based non-profit that carries out surgical missions to needy communities. She has participated in surgical camps to Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru, South Africa, United States and other countries.[1] [3]
Gathuya is a director at the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery, a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status in the United States.[5]
She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine, based in Richmond, Virginia, United States.[6]
She serves on the Global Medical Advisory Board of Smile Train, the world's largest cleft lip and palate organization.[7]