Miriam Mutebi: Conversation with 5th AORTIC President got me thinking about the importance of leadership in cancer care in Africa

Miriam Mutebi shared a post on LinkedIn:

“I had the chance to rub shoulders (literally) with our 5th AORTIC President, Pr. Serigne Magueye GUEYE (pictured in blue below).

Our conversation got me thinking about the importance of leadership in cancer care, especially in our continent Africa, where the challenges are unique and multifaceted.

The African Cancer Leadership Initiative (ACLI), falling under AORTIC- Africa, and one of our flagship programs, was created to nurture and support emerging cancer leaders across the continent, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to drive innovative research and improve patient care.

ACLI’s 4 tenets are intensive training for career development and leadership, network development, mentorship, and advanced career progression, delivered virtually, with an annual in-person meeting.

It brings together a faculty of African and international experts, to ensure a comprehensive educational experience.

Our current ACLI cohort (group picture) exemplifies what impactful leadership development looks like in practice. This two-year program began with a meeting in Dakar.

They recently convened in Addis, where I had the privilege of meeting some of the cohort, each doing amazing work, with skill sets ranging from molecular oncology, surgical and clinical oncology, nursing, research, and beyond.

Since its inception, ACLI has trained over 80 fellows from 25 African countries, with a strong focus on gender equity—more than half of the fellows are women.

These leaders are now making significant contributions across the continent, from serving on international cancer boards to spearheading national initiatives and collaborating on critical research projects.

Indeed our current council of 15 has 5 ACLI alumni and one current cohort member.

Improving cancer outcomes remains a complex and demanding task, but without strong, informed leadership—both political and clinical—success is unlikely.

The success of ACLI underscores this vital role of leadership in oncology.

As cancer continues to pose a growing global threat, the need for skilled and visionary leaders in oncology is more urgent than ever.

Worth noting, is that ACLI was initially proposed to the AORTIC Council as a joint initiative comprising our 5th AORTIC President Gueye with support from the first AORTIC Research Committee Chair, Professor Timothy Rebbeck, and the first  AORTIC Education and Training Committee Chair, Professor Olufunmilayo (Funmi) Olopade, who I sincerely thank for her valuable time and support in convening our current cohort in Addis.”

Source: Miriam Mutebi/LinkedIn

Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also the Vice-President of East Africa of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), treasurer for the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.