Saturday, February 22, 2025, marked a great milestone for the surgical residency program at Litein as the pioneer class graduated. Dr. Wycklife Ooko and Dr. Ruth Talaam celebrated their graduation with fellow residents, program faculty, Dr. Keir Thelander and Pastor Ed Scearce, hospital board of management, hospital leadership and staff as well as their families.
In attendance were Dr. Russ White and Dr. Carol Spears from the Tenwek Cardiothoracic Centre and Dr. Akinniyi Fadipe and Dr. Mercy Mitei, from the General Surgery program at Tenwek Hospital.
“God is calling us to commit our life to God and for God. Pride and desire for prestige, money and positions of power, might block our love for God . We must resist the temptation to look to ourselves for our own abilities and especially you Cliff and Ruth. We need to commit to loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” Pastor Ed said in his address. “It has been a long journey and we thank God for its completion. Each of our three faculty brought on unique perspectives into our training ensuring that we were not only surgically equipped but also spiritually fed and for that we are grateful,” said Dr. Talaam.
Dr. Ooko noted that within the five years there were moments of tears and feeling like literally giving up but he took time to encourage the program’s five residents, “My fellow residents, I can confirm to you that you are in safe hands. Keep on pressing on. Push through even in the tough times and trust in God,” he said.
The two graduates joined the surgical residency in 2020 having previously served as medical officer interns at Litein Hospital. They joined the hospital’s surgical department under the tutelage of Dr. Philip Blasto, Dr. John Kanyi and Dr. Valentine Mbithi who became not just their faculty but also their mentors.
Dr. Thelander urged the residents to be Christ-like in their service as they go out to become PAACS surgeons. “You have come a long way, you have accomplished a lot and you have become future teachers. Each time you take off your outer clothes and put on the PAACS hat you are doing it to serve just as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. You represent PAACS-true, you represent Litein also true but the hat is your reminder that you represent Jesus,” Dr. Thelander said.
“I am thankful that Dr. Wycklife and Dr. Talaam chose to start the program with us, because many of the applicants have always chosen Litein as a second option to either Tenwek or Kijabe. They believed that we could make it happen by God’s grace. We are especially grateful to PAACS for all that you have done for us and all that you continue to do. For not only helping us to start a program but to be a part of the program. For guidance, prayers and encouragement for we have come a long way,” Dr. Blasto said during the ceremony.
Sandra Chao-Blasto
Administrative Assistant
AIC Litein Hospital
