Julian Afoyorwoth, MBChB - Uganda, visiting 07/1/24 - 8/2/2024

I am Dr. Julian Afoyorwoth, a postgraduate student of Makerere University, pursuing a masters of Medicine in Paediatrics and child health in my final year (Year III).

I am an industrious doctor with high interest in quality of care and quality improvement. I find fulfillment in offering the best care I can to patients under my care. I am a team player and I value respect for myself, colleagues and patients. I am a good learner and always eager to gain new knowledge and skills to improve my service to patients and also advance my medical career. I value competence in the medical field.

My inspirations to be a doctor is my father who is a retired medical doctor now. I loved how he cared for me whenever I was unwell and his commitment to his work. The inspiration to pursue this course started as an undergraduate as I felt comfortable and more at ease while on the paediatric wards compared to other wards and found the smile on a child’s face very warm as they were discharged and I was inspired to keep a smiling face on the children. During internship and all through my working experience, I have enjoyed working with children. The outcomes were often satisfactory to both me and the care givers. During my working experience as an intern at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor and a Medical officer at Pakwach health Center four (2years) in rural Uganda, I enjoyed my time in the paediatric wards which inspired me further to specialize in the field of paediatrics. As I came for my masters course, my major objectives were to be a good pediatrician who will be able to contribute positively to Child health and secondly to develop skills in research. I believe I am achieving them.

I have learned a lot from my teachers in the department of Paediatrics and child health and I look forward to gaining more knowledge and experience from a world class hospital at the Minnesota. I am very delighted.

Away from work, I enjoy listening to music, travelling, spending time with family, trying baking recipes, and self-care. Grateful for having been chosen for this exchange program.

Angella Mirembe, MBChB - Uganda, visiting 07/1/24 - 8/2/2024

My name is Mirembe Angella Nanteza and I have practiced medicine as a medical doctor for the last 11 years. I am excited to have been chosen to come and experience University of Minnesota!

Right from my early childhood, I admired doctors and they always looked like people who were doing God’s work on earth. The healing touch they had was just magical. As I grew older, I pursued my dream to become a medical doctor. I love working with people and in particular children, as when given the right treatment, their clinical improvement is very rewarding. I am passionate about my career path that I have chosen in Paediatrics and I take every opportunity on the ward to learn and teach others. I am particularly interested in pursuing a career in teaching as well after school. I love sharing knowledge and teaching helps me keep abreast with current information and keeps me on my toes to read even more. I love engaging in challenging discussions with the undergraduate students, working our way through difficult cases on the ward.

Looking back on my journey to becoming a medical doctor, A-level studies were particularly challenging and the grades were not very promising at the time to make it to medical school but I worked hard and I was thrilled when I finally made it to medical school. Once I got there, I knew that hard work, being organized and consistent as well as perseverance are the keys to academic success. I purposed to work hard as undergraduate student and I excelled in my studies. I have carried that same focus to my masters program and it has helped me immensely in my studies currently. 

I am currently inspired by the paediatricians I have interacted with on the ward and they have served as good role models to me. This has further increased my passion for paediatrics and more so a career in teaching. 

During my 11 years as a medical officer, I was employed by various research studies that have contributed greatly to HIV treatment policies in Paediatric HIV care and I would love to further my career in research even after my studies.

Outside work, I am a wife and mother of 3 children. I love cooking, home making generally, and writing stories! I am looking forward to the Minnesota experience!