London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

What did you study at LSHTM?

I did the MSc in Tropical Medicine and International Health, where the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene forms the first term.

What is your current job title and organisation?

I have two main jobs: I am the lead for King’s Global Health Partnerships (KGHP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in the Limb Reconstruction and Bone Infection Unit at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

I am also lead for the African Bone and Joint Infection Network and am part of the clinical advisory group for Life and Limb.

Can you please tell us about your current work?

KGHP works in partnership with the provincial division of health in the Democratic Republic of Congo to improve the quality of care. We are particularly focused on strengthening the health system to improve care for injured patients.

Congratulations on your recent MBE award. What does this mean to you to receive this award for your work?

This award recognises the work of the many inspirational colleagues I have had the privilege of knowing and working with over the past decade. It is the courage and resilience of my Congolese colleagues, who show up daily to serve their communities, which has brought about change.

Would you say that your studies at LSHTM have helped you in your career? If yes, how so?

The year that I spent at LSHTM was very formative for me. The lectures, and crucially, the conversations at the margins with peers with very different backgrounds and experiences from my own, helped me crystallise my thoughts and how I wanted to approach health systems strengthening. The ideas, values, and frameworks from that year, very much helped shape the clinician and the leader I am today.

What were your favourite memories from your studies with us?

Two memories stand out. Firstly, spending time in the bar after lectures discussing everything from the lifecycle of schistosomiasis to the damaging legacies of empire to the best place to get a beer in Dakar. Secondly, the excitement of identifying a crazy looking parasite in a stool sample under the microscope in the lab.

Do you have any advice for current students/recent graduates?

Make the most of your time at LSHTM; 12 months flies past. Make the most of the opportunities at the school, in London and build strong friendships.

Figure out what your contribution to the world is and do that to the best of your ability. It may take a while to figure out what that is and you may have a few false starts to get there but be patient and find wise people to help guide you. 

Do you have any links that would you like to share with us?

• Dr Elizabeth K Tissingh
• Further Information on the King’s Global Health Partnerships
• Further Information on Life + Limb
• Further Information on African Bone and Joint Infection Network