AIC-CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya recently celebrated a milestone moment. A new group of resident doctors has completed their rigorous training and graduated to become fully qualified consultants. This achievement is more than all the years of study and clinical practice. It’s the result of a long-held vision at the very core of CURE’s mission: healing the sick and proclaiming the kingdom of God by equipping national healthcare professionals to serve their communities with excellence.
Where It All Began
When CURE International’s first hospital opened in Kenya in 1998, it wasn’t just a place for surgeries. It was a teaching hospital built intentionally to nurture the next generation of medical professionals. The founders, Scott and Sally Harrison, had a vision to create a sustainable system that would continuously help children with physical needs. So they crafted a model that would build capacity for years to come, with doctors, nurses, and specialists who understand the cultural context always at the center of that vision.
CURE Kenya became Africa’s first pediatric orthopedic teaching hospital, partnering with the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to provide accredited residency and fellowship programs. COSECSA is the region’s leading body for surgical training and certification, setting the standard for surgical excellence across 14 countries in East, Central, and Southern Africa. Over time, these training programs expanded to include not only orthopedics but also anesthesiology, neurosurgery, and other vital surgical disciplines. In partnership with COSECSA, CURE International’s training program has trained 1,462 doctors in 132 separate events, with 3000 surgeries performed annually at CURE Kenya, an amazing achievement in this regard!
From the beginning, training was not an afterthought. It was a strategy for multiplying impact. The hospital’s first trainees went on to serve as surgeons, educators, and leaders, creating ripples that extend far beyond Kijabe into hospitals and communities across Africa. “It seemed impossible at first since we were very few during its inception, but as the specialty grew, technology advancements and orthopedic needs arose, we had to meet them by increasing the number of doctors through this training model,” Dr. Joseph Theuri recalled.
From Residents to Consultants: A Journey of Excellence
The doctors who graduated as consultants this year represent the heart of this enduring mission. Their journey has been defined by years of intensive clinical rotations, academic study, surgical practice, and spiritual formation, equipping them not only with medical expertise but with the compassion and resilience needed to care for children with treatable disabilities.
Becoming a consultant is a rigorous process. It means mastering intricate surgical procedures, demonstrating sound clinical judgment, and leading in high-pressure environments. “The five years of residency took us to rotations in different hospitals, and we always encountered new challenges as we practiced medicine. Looking back, I can understand why it had to be that demanding. By faith, we had to venture into those uncharted waters to prepare us for the days ahead,” Dr. Chelsea surmised. Now, as consultants, these physicians are ready to lead surgical teams, mentor future residents, and expand access to specialized care that was once scarce in the region.
When vision, training, and community support come together, success is inevitable. It is also a powerful reminder that training multiplies impact. Each consultant will serve thousands of patients over the course of a career, and many will train others, weaving a network of care that expands far beyond one hospital’s walls.
Training as a Mission
At CURE, training is not just about technical skill. It’s an expression of the organization’s mission. By investing in local talent, CURE ensures that quality medical care is accessible long-term, anchored in the communities where children are born, grow, and dream. This approach strengthens national health systems and builds resilience, enabling more children to thrive, regardless of where they live.
And because CURE’s mission is to proclaim the kingdom of God, training also nurtures character, compassion, and service. Doctors are not just clinicians. They are mentors, role models, and agents of hope for families who once saw disability as a life sentence.
Dr. Chelsea Shikuku has been appointed as an Orthopedic Consultant at CURE Kenya, a pioneering graduate of CURE’s first-ever pediatric orthopedic fellowship. She is now leading research teams and educating the next generation of surgeons. “I believe this opportunity gives me a wide range of exposure, which will be very impactful in my service going forward,” she said. “I am living my childhood dream of becoming a doctor!”
Meanwhile, Dr. Jeremiah Nangale serves as an Orthopedic Fellow rotating between CURE Ethiopia and CURE Kenya for the next year. “It is an honor to serve humanity in this capacity. I have grown spiritually and mentally during my residency. I believe these skills will enable me to be a better leader and doctor to all whom I’ll be honored to serve,” Dr. Jeremiah said. The strongest memory from Dr. Jeremiah’s residency was meeting Bovin Otieno and performing his life-changing surgery a year later! “Bovin’s condition was unlike anything I’d ever seen. With the guidance of Dr. Thomas Sough and Dr. Mbonisi, we performed a successful surgery with the new TSF (Taylor Spatial Frames) technology. Today, I occasionally meet him around Kijabe wearing a nursing student uniform and walking straight! I am always proud of this moment whenever I look back at what this training has done for me and those I serve,” Dr. Jeremiah said.
To the doctors whose dedication and perseverance have borne fruit: Congratulations! And to the donors, partners, and supporters who have made this work possible, thank you. Your support makes milestones like this possible. Help us train the next generation of medical leaders and bring healing to more children.
About AIC-CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya
CURE Kenya has been a place of hope since opening its doors in 1998. We were Africa’s first orthopedic teaching hospital when it opened in Kijabe. More than just providing life-changing surgeries, CURE cares for the emotional and spiritual needs of all our patients. Our teaching hospital has 47 beds, four operating rooms, and an outpatient clinic.
