Meet Liz Nabirye, one of our newest Cairdeas scholars! Liz has worked with Dr Mhoira Leng for around 15 years and is the Clinical Lead for the Palliative Care Education and Research Consortium (PcERC). Liz is currently undertaking a Master’s Degree in Palliative Care at Makerere University. A highly experienced palliative care clinician, and a compassionate, generous person, we are delighted to be working with Liz as she furthers her education in palliative care.

We asked her to share a little about herself and her experience as a Cairdeas scholar so our supporters could get to know her better.

“I have worked in palliative care for 23 years and I strongly believe that my career development will greatly impact the lives of others through my role as a clinician, a trainer and upcoming researcher. As a clinical lead, I am involved in providing specialised holistic person-centred care to children and adults with life limiting illnesses with a goal of improving their quality of life and that of their families. Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Palliative Care was a dream come true through a scholarship granted to me from Cairdeas International Trust and I am very grateful for the offer.”

Liz also provided us with some details of what her work and studies involve, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mentoring,

“To ensure continuity and sustainability I am involved in knowledge and skills transfer through education and training of both nursing and medical students at different levels with ongoing clinical modelling. Doing this Master’s in Palliative Care will greatly enhance my research skills which are needed to ensure evidence-based practices. It was indeed very humbling and gratifying to win this Cairdeas scholarship for my master’s program.

I currently provide palliative care services in the Mulago National Referral Hospital and Kiruddu Referral Hospitals, which serve as training hospitals for both under and post-graduate students of the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. I participate in teaching and mentorship of students rotating in the palliative care service, aimed at building capacity and a critical mass of palliative care leaders to integrate good practises in the health systems in their settings.”

Throughout these reflections, Liz’s passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of palliative care clinicians shone through, as she elaborates,

“One of my most significant career aspirations is to take on a mentorship role within the organization. Throughout my career journey, I have benefited greatly from the guidance and support of mentorship and this has helped me develop both professionally and personally. I aspire to become a mentor to junior colleagues and assist them in their career growth by sharing my knowledge and experiences. I hope to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential and contribute to a more dynamic and skilled workforce in palliative care.”

Finally, Liz reflects on the skills she is developing through her Master’s studies,

“This MSc in Palliative Care will enhance my knowledge and skills in: providing clinical skills, advocacy and research within national government hospital and promoting integrated palliative care approaches and principles in the already existing systems so as to improve quality of care and life for those in need.”

We are very grateful to Liz for taking the time to help us and our supporters get to know her better and wish her great success with her studies and further career in palliative care!