Zimbabwe's only female heart surgeon on medicine, misogyny & making a difference
a day ago
- #Cardiothoracic Surgery
- #Zimbabwe Healthcare
- #Women in Medicine
- Dr Kudzai Kanyepi is Zimbabwe's first female cardiothoracic surgeon and the 12th woman in Africa to qualify in this field.
- She faced skepticism and misogyny in her profession but persevered to prove her capabilities.
- Kanyepi initially studied electronic engineering but switched to medicine due to a fluke in university enrollment.
- She trained in South Africa, where she was inspired by Lindiwe Sidali, South Africa's first African female cardiothoracic surgeon.
- Balancing motherhood and surgical training was challenging, but strong family support helped her succeed.
- Kanyepi encounters discrimination in private practice, with some doubting her qualifications because she is a woman.
- Despite Zimbabwe's struggling healthcare system, she remains committed to working there and mentoring future surgeons.
- She aims to establish a foundation to support girls from disadvantaged communities pursuing cardiothoracic surgery.
- Kanyepi finds heart surgery inspiring, likening the heart's restart after surgery to witnessing divine power.