Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Accomplishments

Interests

Personal Information

Timeline

Fredrick Were

Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health

Nairobi

Summary

I am Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health with specialization in Perinatal & Newborn Medicine. I presently head the unit of Child Health in the Department, having concluded my tour as Dean, School of Medicine (and in 2017-2018 doubled up as Principal, College of Health Sciences). I also support the Ministry of Health on several national committees in various areas of child health as well as remaining active in the Kenya Paediatric Association where after serving as National Chairman for 11 years was retained as adviser on research projects. I previously also served as adjunct professor at the Aga Khan University. In the international arena I am or have been active in the Child Health Platform in areas including the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) in Immunization, Maternal and Newborn Health. I have previously been engaged by organizations like the Partnership for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) as Scientific Advisory Committee Faculty around Childhood Vaccines and Immunization. Some of my energy is spent around childhood nutrition. Alongside these, I have remained highly motivated in research where my main themes are Health Systems Research and Outcomes of High-Risk Newborns. Indeed, my Doctorate was obtained in the latter. For my higher doctorate (Doctor of Science, DSC). I developed a thesis within the field of Health Systems research as pertains to Child Health in Kenya. This is an area I have consumed myself in since the turn of this century. I can summarize my life as that of a most committed teacher/mentor, relentless researcher/author, selfless leader and outstanding scholar with considerable international reach.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Part-Time Faculty

Aga Khan University

01.2020 - Current

I support two units, newborn services and child health.
The specific duties include tutorials, clinical teaching ward rounds as well as supervision of research activities undertaken by neonatal fellows and graduate students in the department of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Part-Time Faculty

Aga Khan University

01.2020 - Current

I support two units, newborn services and child health.
The specific duties include tutorials, clinical teaching ward rounds as well as supervision of research activities undertaken by neonatal fellows and graduate students in the department of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Professor of Perinatal & Neonatal Medicine

University of Nairobi

01.2012 - Current

I rose to the position of full Professor in the year 2012.
My duties include all those indicated for my previous position of Associate Professor plus enhanced mentorship of younger faculty and recent graduates towards enrollment into doctorate degrees.
I head the Department of Paediatrics unit of Child Health whose main activities are housed at Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital (one of the teaching hospitals of the UON).
I recently updated the Undergraduate and Graduate curricula for the program.

Professor of Perinatal & Neonatal Medicine

University of Nairobi

01.2012 - Current

I rose to the position of full Professor in the year 2012.
My duties include all those indicated for my previous position of Associate Professor plus enhanced mentorship of younger faculty and recent graduates towards enrollment into doctorate degrees.
I head the Department of Paediatrics unit of Child Health whose main activities are housed at Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital (one of the teaching hospitals of the UON).
I recently updated the Undergraduate and Graduate curricula for the program.

Consultant neonatologist

Kenyatta National Hospital

01.2012 - Current

I provide clinical services at Kenyatta National Hospital, the national referral and legally mandated teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi.
This is a 60-bed unit (6 of which are intensive care level).
I also train and mentor students and junior health care workers who pass through the facility.
The national referral and legally mandated teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi.

Consultant neonatologist

Kenyatta National Hospital

01.2012 - Current

I provide clinical services at Kenyatta National Hospital, the national referral and legally mandated teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi.
This is a 60-bed unit (6 of which are intensive care level).
I also train and mentor students and junior health care workers who pass through the facility.
The national referral and legally mandated teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi.

Chief Research Adviser and Executive Director

KEPRECON

01.2012 - Current

This organization is predominantly involved in child health interventional projects implementation and Operational Research that goes with it.
KEPRECON activities I oversee include Health Care Worker (HCW) capacity strengthening through training.
The areas covered include HIV/AIDS care, management of malnutrition, emergency obstetric care, neonatal care, emergency triage and treatment (ETAT) of sick children, grant writing for health practitioners and leadership in health.
The research arm of the Kenya Paediatric Association, predominantly involved in child health interventional projects implementation and Operational Research.

Chief Research Adviser and Executive Director

KEPRECON

01.2012 - Current

This organization is predominantly involved in child health interventional projects implementation and Operational Research that goes with it.
KEPRECON activities I oversee include Health Care Worker (HCW) capacity strengthening through training.
The areas covered include HIV/AIDS care, management of malnutrition, emergency obstetric care, neonatal care, emergency triage and treatment (ETAT) of sick children, grant writing for health practitioners and leadership in health.
The research arm of the Kenya Paediatric Association, predominantly involved in child health interventional projects implementation and Operational Research.

Acting Principal College of Health Sciences

University of Nairobi

01.2017 - 01.2018

Here I was responsible for the academic and administrative leadership of the college consisting of the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dental Sciences, Nursing Sciences and Public Health.
The other units in the college are the University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, KAVI-Clinical Trials Institute and the East African Kidney Institute.
I held this position alongside my responsibilities as dean.

Acting Principal College of Health Sciences

University of Nairobi

01.2017 - 01.2018

Here I was responsible for the academic and administrative leadership of the college consisting of the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dental Sciences, Nursing Sciences and Public Health.
The other units in the college are the University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, KAVI-Clinical Trials Institute and the East African Kidney Institute.
I held this position alongside my responsibilities as dean.

Dean, School of Medicine

University of Nairobi

01.2014 - 01.2018

I commenced my first tour as Dean in 2014 and was re-elected in 2016 for the second tour.
I was responsible for supervising innovative academic programs in all the school’s 14 departments.
The school has over 3000 and 360 students and academic staff respectively.
The school offers 5 bachelors’ and over 30 graduate causes at masters, fellowship and doctorate levels.
Other activities included steering the school management and academic boards together with college and senate responsibilities.

Dean, School of Medicine

University of Nairobi

01.2014 - 01.2018

I commenced my first tour as Dean in 2014 and was re-elected in 2016 for the second tour.
I was responsible for supervising innovative academic programs in all the school’s 14 departments.
The school has over 3000 and 360 students and academic staff respectively.
The school offers 5 bachelors’ and over 30 graduate causes at masters, fellowship and doctorate levels.
Other activities included steering the school management and academic boards together with college and senate responsibilities.

Adjunct Professor

Aga Khan University

01.2007 - 01.2012

I provided about 4 hours per week of teaching and clinical services to the students and facility respectively.
I also helped develop the neonatal intensive care unit and services.
This is presently the most structured and organized such unit in Kenya and the Eastern African region.

Adjunct Professor

Aga Khan University

01.2007 - 01.2012

I provided about 4 hours per week of teaching and clinical services to the students and facility respectively.
I also helped develop the neonatal intensive care unit and services.
This is presently the most structured and organized such unit in Kenya and the Eastern African region.

Senior Lecturer

University of Nairobi

01.2002 - 01.2008

My core duties were teaching, clinical input in Kenyatta National Hospital and research.
Other duties were the coordination of postgraduate studies and undergraduate clinical examinations.

Senior Lecturer

University of Nairobi

01.2002 - 01.2008

My core duties were teaching, clinical input in Kenyatta National Hospital and research.
Other duties were the coordination of postgraduate studies and undergraduate clinical examinations.

Lecturer

University of Nairobi

01.1994 - 01.2002

My core duties included teaching and clinical input in Kenyatta National Hospital and research.
Other duties were the coordination of postgraduate studies and clinical meetings.

Lecturer

University of Nairobi

01.1994 - 01.2002

My core duties included teaching and clinical input in Kenyatta National Hospital and research.
Other duties were the coordination of postgraduate studies and clinical meetings.

Neonatal Fellow

Monash Medical Centre

01.1991 - 01.1993

This led to the award of the Fellowship in Neonatal Medicine.
During my training, I provided tutorials to undergraduate students in Monash University and was mentor to several Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Paediatrics trainees during their neonatal intensive care rotation at the Monash Medical Centre.
I also participated in the newborn emergency transport services in the state of Victoria, Australia and was certified as a newborn intensive care transport provider.

Neonatal Fellow

Monash Medical Centre

01.1991 - 01.1993

This led to the award of the Fellowship in Neonatal Medicine.
During my training, I provided tutorials to undergraduate students in Monash University and was mentor to several Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Paediatrics trainees during their neonatal intensive care rotation at the Monash Medical Centre.
I also participated in the newborn emergency transport services in the state of Victoria, Australia and was certified as a newborn intensive care transport provider.

Senior Registrar

Kenyatta National Hospital

01.1990 - 01.1991

This was part of my induction for the neonatal fellowship program in Australia.
I continued providing tuition to MBCHB students and commenced my involvement in formal training of MMED students for the DOP.
I also supported post-graduate students in the development of their research projects.

Senior Registrar

Kenyatta National Hospital

01.1990 - 01.1991

This was part of my induction for the neonatal fellowship program in Australia.
I continued providing tuition to MBCHB students and commenced my involvement in formal training of MMED students for the DOP.
I also supported post-graduate students in the development of their research projects.

Resident

University of Nairobi

01.1987 - 01.1990

This led to the award of the degree of Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health by the University of Nairobi.
I held the position of chief resident, responsible for coordinating all Residents’ activities.

Resident

University of Nairobi

01.1987 - 01.1990

This led to the award of the degree of Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health by the University of Nairobi.
I held the position of chief resident, responsible for coordinating all Residents’ activities.

Visiting Medical Officer

Kapkatet Cottage Hospital

01.1986 - 01.1987

While working at Kericho District Hospital, the only Medical Officer at a smaller Hospital (Kapkatet Cottage) left for further studies.
I volunteered to provide services to this facility through weekly visits for patient care while awaiting a replacement.
I also provided round-the-clock phone cover to assist the primary providers in this facility in important clinical decision making.

Visiting Medical Officer

Kapkatet Cottage Hospital

01.1986 - 01.1987

While working at Kericho District Hospital, the only Medical Officer at a smaller Hospital (Kapkatet Cottage) left for further studies.
I volunteered to provide services to this facility through weekly visits for patient care while awaiting a replacement.
I also provided round-the-clock phone cover to assist the primary providers in this facility in important clinical decision making.

Medical Officer

Kericho District Hospital

01.1985 - 01.1987

This undertaking exposed to a wide range of clinical care including emergency care of all patients, trauma surgery, obstetrics and forensic medicine.
As a medical officer I was required to participate in medico-legal cases within the district.
In addition to undertaking the general multi-disciplinary duties in the hospital, I focused much of this time in the children’s ward under the supervision of the district paediatrician.

Medical Officer

Kericho District Hospital

01.1985 - 01.1987

This undertaking exposed to a wide range of clinical care including emergency care of all patients, trauma surgery, obstetrics and forensic medicine.
As a medical officer I was required to participate in medico-legal cases within the district.
In addition to undertaking the general multi-disciplinary duties in the hospital, I focused much of this time in the children’s ward under the supervision of the district paediatrician.

House Officer

Machakos General Hospital

01.1984 - 01.1985

I completed the statutory 12 months of supervised internship as required by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board of Kenya.
I spent 3 months each in the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
In each department I learned the most essential skills required to save lives when supervision is not available.

House Officer

Machakos General Hospital

01.1984 - 01.1985

I completed the statutory 12 months of supervised internship as required by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board of Kenya.
I spent 3 months each in the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
In each department I learned the most essential skills required to save lives when supervision is not available.

Education

Doctor of Science (DSC) - Medicine

University of Nairobi

01-2021

Diploma in Children & Environmental Health (DCEH) - undefined

American Academy of Pediatrics

01-2007

MD - Paediatrics

University of Nairobi

01-2006

Fellow of Neonatal Intensive Care (FNIC) - undefined

Monash Medical Centre

Australia

01-1993

Master’s in medicine (MMED) - Paediatrics

University of Nairobi

01-1990

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBCHB) - undefined

University of Nairobi

01-1984

Skills

Friendly, positive attitude

Teamwork and collaboration

Computer skills

Customer service

Problem-solving

Team management

Time management

Verbal communication

Supervision and leadership

Accomplishments

2009-01-01, The Republic of Kenya Head of State Commendation. Elder of The Order of the Burning Spear (EBS).
2008-01-01, Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa award.
1993-01-01, Outstanding Fellowship Student in newborn medicine at the Monash Medical Centre.
1990-01-01, Best overall Master of Medicine student in Paediatrics.

Interests

Watching cricket

Track Athletics

World political and cultural history literature/documentary

Personal Information

Date of Birth: Saturday, August 30 1958
Nationality: Kenyan
Marital Status: Married
Religion: Christian. Specifically Catholic From Birth

01.1985 - 01.1987

House Officer

Machakos General Hospital

01.1984 - 01.1985

House Officer

Machakos General Hospital

University of Nairobi

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