“I’m not sure if resilience is ever achieved alone. Experience allows us to learn from example. If we have someone who loves us – I don’t mean who indulges us, but who loves us enough to be on our side – then it’s easier to grow resilience, to grow belief in self, to grow self-esteem. And it’s self-esteem that allows someone to stand up.” This famous quote by Maya Angelou is one that Dr. Sylvia Shitsama-Nyamweya, Kenya’s first female neurosurgeon, lives by.  

 

Empowered from a Young Age

Sylvia was born in December 1983 in Kakamega District. As the eldest of four siblings, she shouldered the most responsibility. From a young age, she knew that she had to work hard and set a good example for the rest. In the Shitsama household, there were no distinctions based on gender and Sylvia and her siblings were given work according to their age and ability. Sylvia also learned how to speak up and fearlessly voice her opinions, an attitude that would help her later on in her career. 

With this strong foundation of self-worth, young Sylvia went out into the world. She attended Mukumu Girls Primary School and whenever she was asked what she wanted to be when she was older, she would say a lawyer, just like her father. Though it wasn’t until she completed class eight in 1996 that another potential career came to mind. She was introduced to Gifted Hands and Think Big, both authored by Ben Carson, and from these books, she took an interest in medicine. From then on, Sylvia knew that she was going to be a neurosurgeon. 

She didn’t keep this decision to herself, and her parents were ready to support her on this journey. 

Sylvia started accompanying her asthmatic brother on his trips to the hospital. While he was being attended to, she would chat with the nurses and doctors, trying to make sense of the medical profession. When she joined Lugulu Girls High School, she was determined to excel in the sciences, but soon realised that to qualify for medical school, she had to excel all-round. Her hard work paid off when she was called to The University of Nairobi to study medicine. 

 

Strides and Decisions

Although she was one step closer to her goal, university was a whole other ball game. She had always been the top student in high school, but so had everyone else in her freshman class. This meant that she needed to double her efforts. By the time she was in her third year, she had got into her stride as a medical student. When she got to her fifth and final year of school, Sylvia was partnered with a mentor who just so happened to be a neurosurgeon! This experience confirmed that she was exactly where she was meant to be. However, because the university did not have a neurosurgery residency programme, she was conflicted about whether to venture into another discipline in health or enroll in a neurosurgery programme abroad. 

While she considered these options, she kicked off her career at the Kericho District Hospital as an intern. After a year of practical experience, she landed a job as a medical officer at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital, but her love for neurosurgery never left her. Around this time, The University of Nairobi finally launched a neurosurgery residency programme; it seemed that luck was on her side. 

 

A Strong Support System

Sylvia was among the cohort of medical students who joined UoN’s Neurosurgery Residency Programme in 2008. While she was excited to begin the programme, there was an emphasis on the rigorous nature of the programme, especially for women, as no woman had completed the programme. Determined to pursue her dream, Sylvia ignored the critics and focused on succeeding. At times it was difficult for her, and there were moments when quitting seemed the easier option. The programme was restructured from five to six years, which made things more challenging. Then there was the aspect of work-life balance, especially because she had her first child during the programme. However, thanks to the community she had created for herself, she was never alone, even in the depths of her frustration. From her supportive husband to her invaluable nanny and her encouraging family, these are some of the people who fuelled her resilience. 

With the support of her community, Dr. Sylvia Shitsama-Nyamweya graduated from her Residency Programme in February 2015 as Kenya’s first female neurosurgeon. In 2016, she was listed among the “Top 40 Women Under 40 in Kenya”. 

 

Even after achieving this great feat, Dr. Shitsama-Nyamweya continues to improve her skills. She completed a Clinical Fellowship at The University of Toronto and is set to begin a course in Career Advancement & Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare at Harvard Medical School as a recipient of the CNS Foundation Women Leaders in Neurosurgery Scholarship. She also currently works as a lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s (JKUAT) Department of Surgery, as well as a neurosurgeon at Thika Level 5 Hospital. 

We can’t wait to see what more is in store for this trailblazer. Hongera Daktari! 

#KeFemaleFirsts 

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As of October 2021, there are only five other female neurosurgeons in the country.