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Mar 1, 2025, 21:56

Miriam Mutebi: Surgery, AORTIC Presidency, Life and Everything In Between

Miriam Mutebi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The Delicate Dance: Surgery, AORTIC Presidency, Life and Everything In Between.

As February comes to a close – am I the only one who feels like I’ve been balancing a tray of delicate glassware while riding a unicycle?

One moment, I’m leading the charge on cancer advocacy as AORTIC – Africa President, the next, I’m prepping for surgery – both life-altering and demanding 100% focus.

Take the last two weeks. After a productive meeting in Geneva with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), I was in Karachi for another important session – where I caught a terrible cold (because, of course!).

Fast forward to yesterday: sneezing my way through patient care while trying not to infect anyone, squeezing in webinars between rounds, and attending a faculty retreat to engage with our team, set exams, and ‘standard set’ before heading back to prep for upcoming surgeries and clinics.

Phew! Talk about shifting gears! Some days, though, the balance tips.

And then, there’s the part no one sees – family responsibilities, moments of self-doubt, and the constant push to stay steady amid the chaos.

But I keep reminding myself: there’s power in stepping back and breathing.

Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and it’s okay to not ‘have it all together’ all the time.

Even if all you do is push through the day, sometimes laughing through it, leaning on your support system, and simply showing up is enough.

So, as we close out the month, to everyone juggling multiple roles – whether it’s work, health, or life itself – give yourself some grace. And if you know a surgeon, healthcare worker, or medical professional, send them a virtual hug.

Happy Leap Day, friends!”

Miriam Mutebi: Surgery, AORTIC Presidency, Life and Everything In Between