By: Dr. Randy Bond
Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash
In the last week or so I have met socially with leaders of the promotions of 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014 and some others from other promotions. They have updated the “who is doing what” list for their people and a few in other promotions. I attach the most recent version. I want to highlight several encouraging themes I have heard.
Our graduates are increasingly recognized as competent. There was hesitation at first to accept them but as they have proven themselves they are increasingly hired and accepted. Most notably, in a recent expansion of the health care system focusing on community clinics and hospitals an exam was given. All of the HAU grads who took it passed and something like 40% to 50% of the national positions went to our grads. There are many unemployed physicians so this was a feather in our cap.
Among nurses and paramedical personnel, HAU grads are looked at as compassionate with patients and collaborative with non-physician professionals—not aloof, demanding, or demeaning. Different from grads of the other two schools. The students attribute this notable difference directly to their experience at Kibuye and the modeling of Serge physicians.
HAU women physicians are leaders. We have by far the largest group of Burundian female physician graduates. They started the Burundian Women’s Medical Society, they are volunteering in “girl empowerment” programs for young girls, have started local non-profit associations to do that, including menstrual education.
Few of our graduates, seem unemployed unless they choose to be
Many are volunteering to serve the underserved, some are doing only ministry and some are focused on non-medical community development associations.
I did not count the number in or having completed residency but OB/GYN, Surgery, and Anesthesia seem to be the most popular residencies. Many are pursuing MPH studies.
They are everywhere--unafraid to work in the rural environment!