Onyinye Balogun: Taking a Leap into Global Oncology – Part 2
Onyinye Balogun, Co-Founder of Mission-Driven Tech, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Taking a Leap into Global Oncology: A Summer of Growth and Discovery (Pt. 2)
Last year, I made a bold decision – to step away from my usual routine and take a sabbatical to immerse myself in global oncology. It turned out to be one of the most pivotal and transformative experiences of my career! If you’re in academia and have the opportunity, I highly recommend it.
After visiting Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, I traveled to Durban, South Africa! At the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, I got an in-depth look at cervical cancer care through shadowing in the Gyn clinic. (For context, Inkosi Albert Luthuli was a Zulu Chief, visionary leader and the first African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960!)
The patient volume and disease extent far exceeded anything I had encountered in my career; I have the utmost respect for the physicians who tirelessly came to clinic, delivered compassionate care and diligently answered their patients’ questions.
We also worked together to introduce ultrasound-guided brachytherapy applicator insertion using the Butterfly Network, Inc. portable ultrasound in order to decrease uterine perforation and optimize applicator geometry. This experience reinforced my belief that innovation isn’t just about new technology – it’s about reimagining how existing tools can drive impact.
While portable ultrasound is widely used in Emergency Medicine to assess the heart or check for intra-abdominal bleeding, I see novel applications for this technology in brachytherapy. The ability to introduce image guidance, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, where a Radiology technician may not be readily available is a game-changer for the quality of care.
I also had the opportunity to attend their multiD breast cancer tumor boards and was impressed with the knowledge, skill and cooperative attitudes of the physicians.
I am immensely grateful to Drs. Shona Bhadree, Abba Aji Mallum, Thandeka Buthelezi-Zulu, Nontokozo Gina, Belinda Appiah, the registrars, nurses, therapists, physicists and many others who welcomed me, shared their expertise and reinforced the POWER of global collaboration in advancing cancer care.
I’m always excited to collaborate, learn, and exchange knowledge in global oncology. If you’re working on cancer care, education, or research initiatives – let’s connect to drive meaningful change together.”
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ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
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ASCO Annual Meeting
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Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
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OncoThon 2024, Online
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Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023