Profile

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Jacquie Oliwa

Candidate CV questions (extra)

  • Education:

    Loreto High School; University of Nairobi; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; the University of Amsterdam

  • Qualifications:

    MBChB; MMed (Paediatrics); MSc Epidemiology; PhD

  • Work History:

    Ministry of Health; KEMRI-Wellcome Trust and the University of Nairobi

  • Current Job:

    Lecturer Paediatrics and Child Health; Postdoc Research Fellow

  • Employer:

    The University of Nairobi/ KEMRI-Wellcome Trust

  • Favourite thing to do in my job: Find solutions to challenging problems

  • My work

    My work is to help find solutions to challenges in the health system to ensure quality of care.

  • Read more

    I am a paediatrician, a lecturer of Paediatrics and Child Health and a clinical epidemiologist. My interests lie in health systems research, specifically use of implementation science theories to improve quality of care to sick children.  My PhD work involves understanding and improving case detection of tuberculosis (TB) in children, including use of new and emerging diagnostic tests.

    My past research work involved being an investigator on a large multi-site clinical trial on treatment of severe pneumonia in children and an observational study on optimising diagnosis of TB in children-both contributed to policy change in Kenya. I have been in involved in systematic reviews that helped build evidence base for Kenyan clinical practice guidelines. I was also the lead in a project implementing use of donated medical equipment and best clinical practice guidelines to improve quality of care in maternal, new-born and child health in several hospitals in rural Kenya.

    I serve on the Paediatric TB Technical Working Group, advising the Kenya National TB Programme on matters pertaining to childhood TB. I was involved in updating the Paediatric TB guidelines, developing a training curriculum and delivering training to health care workers in Kenya. I am also a member of the Union of Lung Health and the WHO Child TB subgroup-involved in global child TB policies and advocacy.

    I have vast experience in curriculum development and medical education; health systems research; quality improvement; monitoring and evaluation; policy formulation and implementation.

  • My Typical Day

    Email correspondence, attending meetings, reading journal articles, data analysis and writing

  • Read more

    Mornings are typically spent catching up with email correspondence; attending meetings (journal clubs/seminars/stakeholders)

    Afternoons/Evenings:  Reading journal articles, data analysis and writing up

     

  • What I'd do with the money

    Seed to start a programme with some friends on a mentorship programme

  • Read more

    Some friends and I have been discussing a programme we want to start for mentoring high school/post high school students. Our plan is to carry out outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, cycling..and camps. Where there will be pairing with mentors in fields of interest, and on down times to have sharing of narratives and life experiences. With debates on how to provide solutions for the problems that plague our country.

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Nerdy; witty; unconventional

      What was your favourite subject at school?

      Biology

      What did you want to be after you left school?

      A doctor

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Silent criminal

      If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?

      Psychologist; musician; chef

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      Singer: India Arie Band: Cold Play

      What's your favourite food?

      Chicken tikka masala with garlic naan

      What is the most fun thing you've done?

      Road trip from Nairobi to Botswana plus Vic Falls Bungee (also most stupid thing I have ever done!)

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      To love and be loved; to be successful in my work; to leave a legacy and a lasting impact in the lives of people I interact with

      Tell us a joke.

      Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”Watson replies, “I see millions of stars.”“What does that tell you?” continues Holmes.Watson ponders for a minute. “Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, it is evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?” Holmes is silent for a moment, and then speaks. “Watson, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent.”

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