As a child, Dr. Mulugeta Ayalew Yimer dreamed of becoming a doctor. “I was curious about why people got sick and wanted to help them get better,” he said.
In 2010, he earned his medical degree from the University of Gondar in the Amhara region of his home country of Ethiopia. His interest in pediatric hematology oncology began as a residentat the same university.Dr. Yimer witnessed childrenwho died because there were no pediatric oncologists or cancer treatmentavailable. Upon completing his residency in 2015, Dr. Yimer got involved in university and hospital management and leadership, an experience that provided valuable insight intohealth care policy, education and training.
In 2019, he completed a pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, India. Upon his return, Dr. Yimer started recruiting and training nurses and support staff for the first pediatric hematology oncology unit in the region. By 2022, the benefits were apparent. The milestones includedthe university’s first pediatric hematology oncology fellowship. The fellowship is a collaboration with the Aslan Project, Washington D.C.
Currently Dr. Yimer is a pediatric hematology oncology consultant at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.He is also director of the University of Gondar School of Medicine. His research focus is on adapting pediatric cancer treatment and diagnostic testingfor patients in low-income countries. He is also interested in reducinginfections in children with cancer.
“I believe the Master of Science in Global Child Health program will widen my perspective and provide me with the skills necessary to design and carrying out research to generate the data and insight to help improve clinical care for pediatric cancer patients in Ethiopia,” he says. “I also hope to learn how to influence national policy and strategic planning to move childhood cancer treatment forward as a nation.”
Hometown: Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia
Education
Fellowship: Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology – Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Haryana, India (2019)
Specialty Certificate: Pediatrics and Child Health – University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia (2015)
Medical Degree: University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia (2010)