1: Tell us about yourself and why the year 2014 is special to you.
My name is Dr. Odumbe George Camillus. I am a medical doctor and alumnus of Mount Kenya University, having completed my Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) degree in February 2022. I am originally from Awendo Sub-County in Migori, South Nyanza, Kenya.
The year 2014 holds special significance for me in many ways. It was the year that, as a young man, I left my small hometown in South Nyanza to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. For as long as I can remember, I had aspired to join the medical profession, to help save lives using nothing more than my scrubs and stethoscope. I always fancied walking the hospital hallways, putting a smile on patients’ faces. But first, I knew I would have to be patient – tackling life’s hurdles and traversing the long journey through medical school. Additionally, 2014 marked the auspicious launch of the renowned Mount Kenya University Medical Students’ Association (MKUMSA), established to serve the needs of medical students like myself.
2: How did you end up in Mount Kenya University, School of Medicine and what was your experience as a first-year student?
From a young age, becoming a doctor was my dream. After high school, my parents and I researched options and found Mount Kenya University, which was enrolling their first class of medical students. I was fortunate to gain admission to this prestigious program, marking the beginning of my journey.
As a first-year student, everything was intensely interesting and challenging. I was immersed in new faces, a faster pace of life, and many unfamiliar topics and medical terms to grasp. However, I refused to let any of it dampen my spirit. I had come too far, traveling across counties to arrive where I was. Not one bit of self-doubt or lack of confidence would halt my progress – not a chance. Instead, I summoned my courage and did what was required to excel on this thrilling voyage of medical school.
3: What were your expectations and limitations as a pioneer class and how did you overcome them?
As the pioneer class, we carried high expectations – to set a strong pace and blaze a trail for future aspiring doctors. The limitations we faced were apparent – no mentors to guide us, no one with prior medical school experience, and the balance between university life and academia. Overcoming these hurdles required confidence, proper planning, and pure hard work.
4: How did you become the President of School of Medicine and what were your initial challenges and achievements?
Time flew by, and soon we found ourselves in October 2014. By then, as an institution and as students, we realized the need for proper leadership structures within the School of Medicine. We had excellent guidance from Dean Prof. Kimathi Kigatiira and other distinguished professors. However, we students lacked our own representation and association. As the pioneer class, we decided to form a group to fill these crucial leadership roles. I was fortunate to be selected as the inaugural President of the School of Medicine, a position I held for five remarkable years.
Initially, I had no constitution to guide and help with running the activities of the association. Yet I was mandated to lead and help build up our nascent medical school association. At first, it was daunting and confusing, often demanding more than I thought I could handle. But with time and deep self-reflection, my doubts dissolved into motivation. This challenge was not bad after all! Among our achievements were officially launching the association, inducting the leadership team, coordinating medical outreaches, and actively participating in university health events.
5: How did you establish the Medical School Association and what were its main objectives and activities?
As a new association, our main objectives were to provide leadership for medical students, organize activities like medical outreaches, and represent student interests. Under my 5-year tenure as President, some key achievements were officially launching MKUMSA, inducting the leadership team, planning community outreach programs, and participating in university health events. The association provided a way for us as pioneers to come together, support each other through the challenges of a new medical school, and lay the groundwork for future students. In general, MKUMSA aimed to build a community, provide academic and professional development opportunities, advocate for student needs, and facilitate service activities.
6: What was your role as the link between MKU and other important bodies such as MSAKE?
As the pioneer President of MKUMSA, I served as a vital link between Mount Kenya University and important medical student bodies like the Medical Students’ Association of Kenya (MSAKE). I represented MKU students in MSAKE’s Presidents’ Council meetings and activities. This allowed me to connect our new association with more established ones, facilitating collaboration on events like medical camps and health education programs. For example, I partnered with MSAKE, YPCDN, and ACF to organize outreaches providing cancer screening and chronic disease education in local communities. Through these partnerships, I helped put MKUMSA on the map and gave our students opportunities to gain experience and make an impact outside of lectures. My role was to be a bridge, opening doors for MKU students to engage with the broader medical community.
7: How did you balance your multiple roles as a student, a president, a basketball captain, and an electoral board chairman?
Balancing my demanding roles required meticulous planning and time management. As a student, studying came first so I blocked out designated times for coursework. As MKUMSA President, I scheduled association meetings and activities well in advance. My basketball captain duties were arranged around practices and games. For the electoral board, I allocated specific hours for administrative work. Beyond planning, I also relied on mental resilience and self-belief. Knowing my “why” – becoming a doctor to help others – kept me motivated. My subconscious mind understood my purpose, so even when tired, I could push through challenges. Staying organized, visualizing success, and focusing on my goals enabled me to excel as a student leader. By balancing obligations through planning and developing mental strength, I paved the way for current and future MKU medical students.
- What are some of the lessons or advice you would like to share with your successors or other aspiring leaders?
As pioneers, we lacked mentors but embraced challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, using ingenuity and collaboration to overcome limitations. Plan meticulously and manage time wisely, balancing your roles by prioritizing academics first. Visualize success and believe in yourself – self-motivation and mental resilience will push you through difficult times. While the leadership roles may be tough, remember you are laying a strong foundation for the future, paving the way for others to follow. Stay focused on your purpose of serving others – this will sustain you through the journey’s challenges as you work to achieve your dreams. Approach hardships as a chance to invent creative solutions. Schedule wisely to balance obligations. Believe in your abilities even when you doubt yourself. Build bridges that facilitate growth. Your hard work now clears the trail for those to come. Finally, keep your eyes on the higher goal of helping others.
Partying Shot
It has been a great pleasure studying at the best medical school in East Africa and serving the whole Mount Kenya University fraternity. MKU has all the best things to offer when it comes to quality education, a favorable studying environment, competent and friendly lecturers, just to mention a few. And to all the students, always believe in yourself in all your activities and instill a positive thinking attitude into your system.
May the good Lord Bless the best Medical School in Kenya.
Other Related Readings
Read Camillus’ previous article here; https://studentlife.mku.ac.ke/from-small-village-in-migori-to-a-doctor-a-story-of-mr-odumbe-george-camillus/
Follow MKUMSA @mkumsa14 on Twitter and @mkumsa.ke on Instagram